Category Archives: Community Building
Spring Fever hits Morrisville!
Spring is here, and FPF members are looking to get fit with their neighbors.
“Spring is Finally Here – Let’s Play Tennis! Looking for other intermediate players to get out on the courts. Can play after 4 weekdays and anytime on the weekend. Hope to see you on the courts.”
“Hello runners. I know many of us run to clear our heads and have time alone. But sometimes it’s nice to run with other people too! I want to start a little running crew to run 3-5 miles on a regular basis, 9-10 minute mile pace. The specifics may change a little depending upon who participates. I think this could be great. Happy spring.”
• Kevin and Brittain in Morrisville
Have an idea to get outside with your neighbors and enjoy Spring? Get started on Front Porch Forum!
Neighbors respond to help kids
It takes a community to raise a child, as noted on Front Porch Forum this week.
Posted on Wednesday:
“Hello Neighbors, I’m working with children in Lamoille County who would love any toys (or books) your children have outgrown. I’m happy to pick up and distribute them. They will be well loved and played with often, so if your toys are ready for a new home, please contact me.”
And days later….
“Thank you to everyone who responded to my posting. I was able to fill my truck up with all the donated goods left on my porch. I will be delivering and distributing it all this week and will let the kids know it’s all from Stowe’s generous community!” • Leah in Stowe
Have items in your home no longer in use? Could a neighbor use them? Post it on FPF!
FPF Hiring Ruby on Rails Developer
Front Porch Forum is hiring! We are seeking a Ruby on Rails Developer to join our team. This position is full-time and based in Burlington, Vermont. Be part of a world-class team of software engineers, and help us fulfill our community-building mission. Check out the details and apply here.
Decline of open web in favor of social media… “grim consequences”
Iran’s “Blogfather,” Hossein Derakhshan, in a recent interview on the NiemanStoryboard…
“The decline of the web in favor of social media entails grim consequences. Hyperlinks were the founding principle of the web; it secured a diversity, nonlinearity, decentralization and interactivity, which made the web so powerful. But social media’s very philosophy and monetization strategy, or the stream, cannot be friendly to hyperlinks, since they do not want their users to leave their space. This new environment, in addition to the currently dominant algorithms, which favors popularity and now-ness rather than diversity and quality, is worse than television in its potential damage to representative democratic societies, where majority is supposed to take informed decisions without jeopardizing minorities. The rise of identity politics and intolerance for diversity is directly linked to the current form of the internet. This is the deepest shock of this transition to me since my release. This shift from what I call books-internet to TV-internet.”
Unlike some other social media platforms, Front Porch Forum doesn’t aim to lure people in and hold their attention 24/7. FPF, for many Vermonters, is a 10-minute-a-day habit that leads to more face-to-face conversations with neighbors… and to friendlier, more informed, and more resilient local communities. Hyperlinks in FPF postings are an important part of that.
Police reach out to communicate with neighbors
Local police in many neighborhood utilize FPF as a way to keep abreast of community concerns.
“The Vermont State Police – Williston Barracks has joined Front Porch Forum. We look forward to communicating with our neighbors. Our goal is to inform everyone with what VSP is doing in and around our communities. We would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions on any community concerns as well.”
• Paul at VSP Williston Barracks
Building bridges with potlucks and in-person conversation
It’s heartening to see local folks in Westford using their FPF to promote their new “Neighbor to Neighbor” program; organizing local in-person conversation of challenging topics…
“Bring a dish to share at potluck talks designed to build bridges between neighbors while talking about issues of importance to us as Vermonters. The first talk will focus on migrant workers on Vermont farms. This issue has been in the news recently and, as a farming community, is important to our town.”
• Fred in Westford
Would something like this work in your town? Give it a shot! Post on Front Porch Forum.
FPF Reaches Million-Posting Milestone
2017 marked the moment when Front Porch Forum saw its one-millionth posting! Celebrating 10 years helping neighbors connect and build community, FPF has experienced tremendous growth and accomplishments to serve every community in Vermont.
Take note of these FPF Milestones:
• More than 1 million postings made by our members
• 3.5 million e-newsletters sent every month
• More than 130,000 membersin a state with only 260,000 households
Co-Founder, Michael Wood-Lewis notes “we couldn’t be happier about the impact FPF has had across Vermont. Once people have an easy and safe way to communicate with neighbors, they do! And that simple act adds up. The cumulative impact is huge… after months of FPF, people often report feeling more connected to neighbors, more tuned in to local goings on, and more a part of their community. And in many cases, people then become more active… organizing a group yard sale, mentoring a local kid, volunteering for a park clean-up, voting on election day, and, most recently, helping each other during Blizzard Stella. That’s what FPF is all about!”
South Burlington neighbors shovel for a cause!
“Shoveling for a Cause”, picked up by the Burlington Free Press and in turn by the Weather Channel, began with a FPF neighbor wanting to make a difference.
“I had the Opportunity to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s at both a local and national platform. It took the Orchard Neighborhood to make that happen. Just wanted to say thank you to all involved.. Check out one of two interviews”
• Louis in South Burlington
Hyde Parkers celebrate Spring and community spirit with puppet show
“Thanks to lots of support throughout our community, well over 100 people attended the “No Strings Marionettes” puppet show in Hyde Park! The Hyde Park Community Circle (HPCC) received support from lots of individuals, businesses and organizations (including Front Porch Forum). It takes a village to build community, and Hyde Parkers really came through!”
• Judy in Hyde Park
Are you using FPF to help promote and build a neighborhood event?
Our Northeast Kingdom neighbors sum it up nicely….
“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!
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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