“In our small town of approximately 350 homes, we have identified more than 140 people who have volunteered on at least one local committee. Many individuals serve on multiple committees. It simply astounds us that there is that much commitment to our small community! Please stop by our “Thank You Breakfast” Saturday at the Marlboro Town House to thank all those who work to make our community great! We’ll have coffee, tea, baked goods, a free raffle and a grateful hug or handshake! Please see our website at: www.marlboroalliance.com”
• Lynna, Marlboro Front Porch Forum
Category Archives: Case Foundation
Free drink for a Trump supporter
Posted on Friday, November 11, 2016 by Michael • No comments yet
I know this election has shaken up a lot of people on both sides of the debate. One thing I see happening more than anything else is an inability for people to communicate and have empathy towards those with different views. It is sad, though luckily for us in Vermont it isn’t nearly as bad as some other places in this country.
I have set a goal for myself to sit down with someone with a differing perspective than my own, share a drink (whatever it may be) and to just listen a bit. I am not out to make a debate. Nor to talk at someone else. But I do want to know about what a Trump supporter sees as the biggest issues in their world, what about Trump inspires them, and what about him may be concerning. I also want that same person to hear someone who is different than them actually giving a shit about their opinion, in an effort to bridge the divide that the media says we all have.
This is an act of reconciliation and hope. I want to see us rise above our political differences. We are all in this together.
Thanks.
• Jake, Morrisville Front Porch Forum
“Americans who know their neighbors embrace stronger local news habits”
Posted on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 by Michael • No comments yet
“A new study by Pew Research Center in association with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation reveals that, overall, the civically engaged are indeed more likely… to use and value local news.”
“Another sign of how connected one is to their local community is the extent to which a person knows their neighbors.”
Efficiency Vermont, FPF and South Burlington Energy Committee work to reduce residential electricity use by neighborhood
Posted on Monday, October 10, 2016 by Michael • No comments yet
South Burlington Residential Electricity Reduction by Neighborhood
By Kristan Hatfield
Program Manager for Efficiency Vermont
The South Burlington Energy Committee, Front Porch Forum, and Efficiency Vermont partnered together to create a map of the city that displays changes in residential electricity consumption. The incorporation of neighborhood boundaries has added a relevant new dimension to the tool’s visualizations. The tool calculates changes in each of the Front Porch Forum neighborhood’s average kWh use per home.
A new understanding of community electricity use in the residential and municipal sectors has been inspired by three Vermont teams, South Burlington, Montpelier, and Waterbury/Duxbury, who are participating in the Georgetown University Energy Prize. The City of South Burlington and their partners have worked together to develop innovations in communicating trends in residential electricity and natural gas use. The result: South Burlington used less electricity per capita in 2015 than had been used in 2013 and 2014.
South Burlington Residents can look for the Map Update in The Other Paper this Fall (pp. 14-15) to see how each neighborhood is performing in 2016.
Who sets the tone for your community?
Posted on Saturday, September 10, 2016 by Michael • No comments yet
Susan posted the following on her neighborhood FPF in Essex Junction this week. She issues a great challenge. Are you up for it in your community and on your FPF?
I’d like to offer a one-week challenge for our neighborhood Front Porch Forum. Before we get to the challenge, though, here is a brief story I heard a while ago.
Two newcomers move into town. One of their first trips is to the local grocery store. They ask the cashier, “what’s it like around here?” The cashier pauses, “what was it like where you used to live?” “Oh, we lived in a great neighborhood. People were warm and friendly, you could trust your neighbors, and we felt very safe.” “Well,” responds the cashier, “you’re in luck. Your new neighborhood is just like that!” Some time later, two more newcomers move to town, visit the same grocery store, and ask the cashier the same question. When the cashier asks how it was where they used to live, they reply, “It was an awful place. You couldn’t trust anyone, the neighbors were unfriendly and we never felt safe there.” “Well,” responds the cashier, “I’m sorry to say that you’ll find your new neighborhood is just like that!”
OK, that was the story, here’s the challenge. What if we tried to go for one full week without a single negative post or complaint on our FPF? We could see if there are enough positive and interesting things happening around here to occupy a full week of posts. And, after the week is up, what if we could find a more productive way to discuss the legitimate concerns that inevitably arise? What if our starting place is to assume good intentions on the part of our neighbors, municipal staff and elected officials? What if we could focus more on the issues on less on personalities? What if we could make an effort to ask more questions and gain more understanding before forming our opinions? What if, when we post a concern, we also include a possible solution? It’s been said, “democracy is a conversation, and how we talk to one another is as important as what we talk about and what conclusions we reach.” This is hard work sometimes, especially when the issues are complex and people hold a wide range of viewpoints.
What if we start practicing start right now with something relatively easy; a single week of positive news?
Farm stand theft in East Montpelier… one bad deed countered by outpouring of good
Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 by Michael • No comments yet
“Thanks to all who came by for the farm stand today. If you stopped and bought something, that’s great! If you stopped and took all the cash out of our box, that’s terrible!”
• Victoria, Farm Stand at Open Way, East Montpelier FPF
“Hello all– Thanks so much for all the kind offers, both on Front Porch Forum and in personal emails, to make up the money lost at last week’s farm stand. This outpouring has done so much to restore our hope and affection in this community.
“That said, it really is not necessary to do that. Firstly, we don’t know how much was lost in money and product. Secondly, we are not financially dependent on the stand at this point — we both have jobs off the land — and feel like we don’t need the money to get by. I imagine the person who took the money most likely needed it to get by. So if you are feeling like donating money, please pass it along to a food cupboard or a local charity of your choice. Your generosity of spirit is all the gift we needed to feel seen and appreciated in this community. Thank you.
“And come on by the stand this Wednesday, at 800 Templeton Rd, if you like, and see if there’s a vegetable you might like to enjoy! We’ll have so MANY onions, so MUCH garlic, summer squash, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, beans, canned goods, blackberries, carrots, parsnips, herbs, and maybe a sunflower or 2. I will be there with kids, and glad to say hello to you generous and friendly neighbors. Peace, friends.”
• Victoria,Farm Stand at Open Way, East Montpelier FPF, next day
Front Porch Forum named Climate Economy Innovator
Posted on Monday, August 15, 2016 by Michael • No comments yet
Vermont Council on Rural Development featured Front Porch Forum as a Climate Economy Innovator recently. Here’s the story. This is part of VCRD’s impressive Vermont Climate Change Economy Initiative.
Vermonters appreciate updates from their elected representatives
Posted on Monday, August 15, 2016 by Michael • No comments yet
“I want to express my appreciation to Rep. Robin Chestnut-Tangerman for posting legislative updates on Front Porch Forum, and for his obvious commitment to his work on our behalf. It also seems clear that you (Robin) really enjoy what you are doing and your passion shows. I feel well represented by you, and thank you for keeping us all informed.”
• Paul & Margaret, Tinmouth FPF
Micro-businesses often use FPF to fuel their launch
Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 by Michael • No comments yet
“A couple of months ago we were looking to lease an acre of land to start a market garden and thanks to Front Porch Forum, we found a perfect location in Montpelier. We want to thank Geoff and Kim for trusting us to till up their lawn and giving us the opportunity to start our business on their land. We have come a long way since we started, and are very excited to announce that we are offering delivery of organic produce to the Montpelier area.”
• Patrick, http://www.anandagardens.com, Montpelier FPF
Accident survivors supported by Plainfield neighbors
Posted on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 by Michael • No comments yet
“Desperately seeking ride on Monday from Plainfield to Williston for a doctor appointment. I was in an accident recently and my car was totaled so I have no way to get to Williston. My daughter has two doctor appointments and if we reschedule they won’t be able to get us in til end of August! PLEASE consider volunteering! I will be happy to pay whatever you ask for gas.”
• Teresa, Marshfield Plainfield Front Porch Forum
“THANK YOU to everyone who responded to my plea for help with getting a ride to Williston!!! I was absolutely amazed at how many people contacted me to offer their assistance and I apologize if I couldn’t get back to everyone. Special THANKS to the person who was kind enough to lend me a car for the day so that we could get to my daughter’s doctor appointments without inconveniencing anyone. I hope I can return the favor some day.”
• Teresa, Marshfield Plainfield FPF, next day
About Blog
Ghost of Midnight is an online journal about fostering community within neighborhoods, with a special focus on Front Porch Forum (FPF). My wife, Valerie, and I founded FPF in 2006... read more
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