Category Archives: Community Building
Giving Thanks for FPF Sponsors
In this season of thanksgiving, please join us in thanking the major Front Porch Forum sponsors for 2014. Without their support, your local forum would not be possible. Special appreciation to:
- New England Federal Credit Union
- Building Energy
- Bourne’s Energy
- Lake Champlain Chocolates
- Cabot Creamery
- Smugglers’ Notch
- Bolton Valley Resort
- Almartin Volvo
- The Edge Sports & Fitness
- VTrans
- VPIRG
- Casella Waste Systems
- The University of Vermont Medical Center
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont
- Vermont State Colleges
- University of Vermont
- Windows & Doors By Brownell
- Wick & Maddocks Attorneys at Law
If your Vermont business, nonprofit, institution or agency would like to join this community-minded group, please contact us at localbiz@frontporchforum.com or 802-540-0069 x1. Learn more about how FPF advertising can help you reach Vermonters.
Additional 2014 FPF sponsors to whom we’re also grateful include:
- SunCommon
- Vermont Teddy Bear Company
- Jay Peak Resort
- Stowe Mountain Resort
- Dealer.com
- TIAA CREFF
- Vermont Gas
- Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District
- Healthy Living Market and Cafe
- Natural Provisions
- Greater Burlington YMCA
- The Essex Resort & Spa
- Johnson Law Group
- The Vermont Realty Team
- Computers for Change
- University Mall
- Morning Dew Landscaping & Stonework
- Big Rock Landscape
- Cathedral Square Corporation
- Vermont Precision Woodworks
- SerVermont
- Go Vermont
- Chittenden Co. Reg. Planning Comm.
- Chittenden Solid Waste District
- CCTA and GMTA
- VAST
- Northwestern Medical Center
- Copley Hospital
- Vermont Health Connect
- Champlain College
- Vermont Tech
- Community College of Vermont
- Sterling College
- The Schoolhouse
Best wishes to all this coming holiday season.
Moving to Ripton… neighbor gratitude
“Thanks to a Front Porch Forum member, I quickly found help for my move to the Ripton area. Hurrah!” Posted by Jean on the FPF that serves Ripton.
Kindness of neighbors… priceless
Lisa posted the following on the Front Porch Forum in West Windsor, Vermont, a few days ago…
I came home this morning to grab my 4 winter tires (Nokian studded snows) and they were GONE! I paid $650 for those tires just last year so I could live here, so I could get to work, make a life.
That was taken from me. I have no money to replace those tires and don’t know how I will be able to keep my job.
The police can’t help.
If anyone hears any rumors about someone selling used Nokian studded snows or knows of anyone who may have some information, please contact me…
I guess this is a reminder to watch for ourselves and our neighbors. Maybe it’s a good time to introduce ourselves to our neighbors BEFORE something bad happens. Maybe together, as a community, we can have safe homes/neighborhoods to live in.
Thieves are obviously in the area 🙁
Although she has yet to recover her tires, the FPF posting did net something else for her and her neighbors…
I want to thank the people in our community for the kind responses I received, after posting on Front Porch Forum.
It was heartwarming to come home to several e-mails, offering kind words and even offers of tires! Unfortunately, none fit but the kind offers meant so much more than any set of tires.
Tires can be replaced. The kindness of others is priceless.
Eureka Idea!
What you have started with FPF, is simply an eureka idea.
The website is very sophisticated as well as easy to read.
Fine, fine work and so needed.
An honest, trustworthy site. Thank you!
What a lovely note to receive today. Thank you, Judith in Burlington!
Relocalizing Vermont on WGDR
Skepticism –> incredulity –> acceptance
The good folks at FeverBee are channeling Saul Alinsky today…
If you try to build a community for a group of people (especially within an existing boundary i.e. employees), they tend to react the same way.
First, they’re skeptical.
They don’t know you. They don’t have time for the community. They’re worried that the community will change a status quo that benefits them… You must remain enthusiastic and keep pushing. You must work with the rare believers in your vision, not those against it.Second, they’re incredulous.
They can’t believe it’s succeeding. Why are people going along with this? Are they crazy? They set an increasingly angry tone. You must not react/respond to them… Be open to any questions they have. Don’t let them provoke a negative reaction that will undermine your efforts.Third, they accept it.
They’re members. This is quite sudden. Once they realize they’re in danger of being left behind, they become members.
As we’ve opened up online Front Porch Forum communities for every locale in Vermont, we find many who welcome us gladly, some who are indifferent, and a few who follow Alinsky’s pattern above. But those few make a lot of noise and demand our attention. We remain open to input, concerns and fresh ideas… but we’ve also come to realize that the initial skepticism and incredulity will most likely be replaced with acceptance in a few weeks… and even blossom into vigorous use and championing of their local FPF to neighbors.
Vermonters speak up about Morrisville Bypass
Reported by VPR yesterday…
AMY KOLB NOYES VPR
The Vermont Agency of Transportation has reversed a decision to close the Morrisville Bypass to non-motorized uses, at least until the agency’s Traffic Committee meets in December to discuss the issue.
The two-mile bypass, also known as the Alternative Truck Route, opens to traffic at 2 p.m. tomorrow afternoon. And now “traffic” will mean cars and trucks and bicycles and pedestrians.
“We have heard loud and clear from our customers who feel that bicycles and pedestrians should be allowed on the new Morristown Alternate Truck Route. VTrans, the Regional Planning Commission and the Town all agree and the prohibition will be removed as this road opens to the public on Friday,” Vermont Agency of Transportation program manager Kevin Marsha posted on Morrisville’s Front Porch Forum…
As the bypass neared completion the newly-posted limited access sign drew lot of attention over the past couple of weeks. Much of the conversation took place on Morrisville’s online Front Porch Forum and on discussion forums below news posts on the issue…
Working toward peace & justice… from the ground up
If there is to be peace in the world,
there must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations,
there must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,
there must be peace between neighbors.
If there is to be peace between neighbors,
there must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,
there must be peace in the heart.
• Lao-Tse,
#602, Singing the Living Tradition, Unitarian Universalist Association
Working toward peace and justice… whether focused on nations, cities, neighborhoods, families or individuals… it’s all important and necessary. It seems that each level of work is required to support the levels that are closer to the ground. E.g., Front Porch Forum is focused on neighbors; however, we must also work with FPF members who do not have a certain amount of peace in the heart.
Budding farmer seeking stick shift lessons
Posted by Hillary this week on her Winooski Front Porch Forum…
Hey friends!
I’m new to the neighborhood — I’ve loved FPF since I joined… I’m hoping you can help me!
I’m a young farmer and am applying for my absolute dream job. I have made it to the 2nd round of interviews and just found out that I must know how to drive manual. And I don’t… yet. Hopefully that’s where you come in!
Would you mind helping me learn how to drive manual? I’m a quick study and understand the way a manual transmission works. I’ve used many tractors and am familiar with shifting and clutches… I’ve just never had the chance to learn!
I’d be happy to rent a manual transmission car if you don’t feel comfortable driving yours. I can offer lunch at Pingala (my favorite place!) or some beers for an hour or so of your time.
Hoping to hear from you! Thanks!!
What’s on your FPF?
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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