Category Archives: Community Building
100,000 Front Porch Forum members in Vermont!
We’re excited to announce that Front Porch Forum now has 100,000 members across Vermont. More than one-third of the households in the state participate in their local FPFs. Thanks to all who have helped achieve this milestone.
To share FPF with other Vermonters, please send them to FrontPorchForum.com to check it out and sign up.
FPF’s mission is to help neighbors connect and build community. We do that by hosting a statewide network of online neighborhood forums where Vermonters post about lost pets, borrowing ladders, recommending plumbers, sighting moose, reporting break-ins, discussing school budgets, and much more.
It takes a village to find llamas on the lam
“Have you seen our llamas? They went missing from our home on Falls Hill Road this past Sunday. We have driven, and walked and searched high and low but have not had any luck. They are 6-year old females, one dark brown and one lighter blond. If you have any information, please email or call 889-3739. Thank you!”
• Amy, Tunbridge Chelsea Front Porch Forum
“They were seen yesterday morning grazing in an open pasture on the ridge above Ward Hill Rd/old 4th class Kelsey Mountain Rd. For those in this area, please keep your eyes open and let us know if you see them. They are standoffish so don’t expect to ‘catch’ them. Notifying us is the best way. We are getting closer!”
• Amy a few days later
“Dear Friends – Our llamas are home! They enjoyed themselves for nearly 2 weeks in the wild but today the party ended and we were able to corral them safely and soundly off the ridge and down Ward Hill Road and into their pen. Thank you everyone for your emails and thoughts and help and offers of help. We are grateful and relieved to have them back and appreciate the support from the community. May they stay put for the foreseeable future!”
• Amy one last time!
Middletown Spring neighbors take good fences
• Linda, Middletown Springs Front Porch Forum
Prom preparations… ask neighbors for tips
“Looking for someone to hem a prom dress. Not sure about other needs at this time. Needed prior to May 16th. Please let me know if you do tailoring/seamstress work and how much you charge.”
• Kelly, Northfield Front Porch Forum
Use FPF to organize sport leagues
“I run a large soccer league in Chittenden County. I’m expanding my league and one of the best ways I’ve found to get the word out is by Front Porch Forum. If you’re interested and would like more information, please contact me.”
• Briant, Richmond FPF
How to untangle MS Word and Outlook problems
“Once again, FPF has proven a godsend, as I am able to get some computer help from a neighbor. This is one instance in which the wretched machine is a boon! For your kindness, I am grateful.”
• Sherry, Weybridge Cornwall Front Porch Forum
Foster child overwhelmed by neighbors’ care
“Many, many thanks for the fabulous response many of you gave to our foster child’s search for a bike. K is overwhelmed by his sense that so many people out there care and we are excited that he’ll have a bike to ride this spring (it is spring, right? As an Englishwoman, the seasons have me a little confused!!) We feel fortunate to live among you all – and thanks also to Front Porch Forum for allowing this kind of communication and community-building to take place.”
• Zoe, Underhill FPF
Above and below are a handful of the postings we get every day on Front Porch Forum. What will you post to your neighbors?
“I’ve enjoyed your comments on Front Porch Forum. They remind me of how messy and important free speech and citizen journalism are to a functioning democracy.”
• Bill, Hinesburg FPF
“Golden Retriever Found! I knew I could count on FPF. Thank you everyone for the phone calls and assistance. Lulu is home and although she looks pretty guilty, she had an eventful day! Thank you!!”
• Alison, Bristol FPF
“Hi – I’m looking for someone to roll my yard to help smooth out the bumps. I can contact lawn services in town, but FPF seems to be a better place to start. If you’ve hired someone to do this for you, and were happy with the work, i’d really appreciate the recommendation. Thank you!”
• Mary, Montpelier FPF
“My pet sitting business is a success! ‘Found you on FPF’ is the first thing I hear when a new client comes my way.”
• Deb, Middlebury FPF
Great response to post on yard clean-up… Many people responded and I’ve got someone to help. Thanks FPF! What a great way to connect!”
• Anne, Bristol FPF
“Just wanted to let you know that Andy and I secured housing in Essex this afternoon! Yippeee!! Thank you again for your help! The owners found out about us through your FPF posting – we probably never would have found an opportunity like this otherwise.”
• Karen, Essex Center FPF
Middlebury nudist colony?
Peg shared on her Middlebury Front Porch Forum today…
What a wonderful community Front Porchers are! Thank you all for your many responses to my request for a shower bench for my husband. We had enough offers to provide for a disabled nudist colony and now have a bench that was delivered in person to our homestead. You are the best!
It will make life much easier for husband and the wonderful Home Health folks who come to help in the shower.
Discerning the needs of a community
Susan posted on her Underhill Front Porch Forum over the weekend…
In a conversation with my pastor a mere week ago, we were making mention of the various topics of conversation on FPF. He viewed FPF as a way of discerning the needs of the community. I appreciated that perspective since I had never thought of the postings in that way.
Free fishing rods and meeting a neighbor
“I love Front Porch Forum — our pair of free fishing rods were picked up this morning by a neighbor, who I hadn’t previously met, while she was out on her walk. Her two little boys couldn’t be happier.” Posted by Linda on the Appletree Point FPF in Burlington yesterday.
People get great direct results when they post on their local FPF, such as when they unload an item they no longer need. But it’s the connection to neighbors — see Linda’s story above — that carries more weight over time.
Front Porch Forum’s mission is to help neighbors connect and build community… one lost pet, plumber recommendation, borrowed ladder, or pair of free fishing rods at a time!
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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