Category Archives: Front Porch Forum

Best of FPF: Remembered by Friends

Becky posted an appeal for support in the Greensboro Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“A granite bench in memory of Tom Hurst is being readied for August 2025 installation on the Greensboro Historical Society front lawn. Your support is greatly appreciated. Tom is remembered by many as our friend, storekeeper, firefighter, historian, UCC minister of faith, and dedicated community steward. Growing up in Greensboro, he worked at the store and became a fourth-generation Willey’s storekeeper.

Tom was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2000. He persevered with courage and good humor, and in 2016, Merrill and he moved to Trumansburg, NY, to be near their daughter Emily and family. Tom died in November 2024 of complications from a new diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Tom walked around Caspian Lake over 600 times in his Parkinson’s journey. Many of us remember times he stopped to say hello, and on finding himself temporarily “frozen,” he asked for a small “kick” at the back of his boot to help restart his walk, and with a smile and a wave, he’d be on his way.

Tom famously showed up at meetings with a generous cache of his just-baked chocolate chip cookies, enjoyed by all.

The reverse side of the bench will read: “Remembered by friends – 2025.”

Best of FPF: Hooked on Ice Fishing

Tony posted this appreciation in the Barnet Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“A huge thanks to Matt and Jason from Ryegate, who, while ice fishing on Lake Harvey on Sunday, graciously took a long break from their activities to show my 4-year-old and 7-year-old nephews how to ice fish. My nephews left with a deeper understanding of the great outdoors. I greatly appreciate Matt and Jason’s neighborly gesture.”

Best of FPF: Buster Brown’s Incredible Journey

After a marathon dog search, Erin posted a final message in the Stowe Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“Thank you to this community! Buster Brown was missing 24 of the coldest and snowiest days in VT this year.

After hanging pieces of our bed sheets on low branches on the way from where he went missing to our home on Pinnacle Road yesterday, we got a phone call from a family on Taber Hill that they had Buster. They had seen him in their yard – and it sounds like he came right to them.

Skinny, exhausted, smelly, his nose worn bare, still wearing his collar and his orange vest, but wagging his tail and pushing his face into my underarm. He ate carefully and slept like a champ last night, on his bed right next to ours, and he was so happy for the warmth and the snuggles!

Thank you to this community for all your help in bringing BB home. The calls, the emails, the texts, the tips, the encouragement, the prayers of protection, the offers to help, those who went out driving, hiking, snowshoeing or skiing on your own to try to find him – there are so many of you! Those who lent traps, trail cameras, and cooked bacon! And to those of you who put up with us hiking in the woods between homes and behind your homes, peeking under your decks and into and under your sheds – thank you!

The biggest thanks is to Cris Pryce, the remote viewing specialist who was recommended to us. Her mappings, visuals, colors, landmarks gave us places to search and hope. She was an incredible partner in searching for our baby.”

Lots of cheers were posted from friendly neighbors following the month-long saga, including the suggestion for “a Downtown Buster Brown Mud Season Celebration. Buster can be the parade.” And, “I think he needs one BIG town party!”

Best of FPF: Blast Off to Adventure!

Nadine posted an unusual item for sale in the Charlotte Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“Calling all little astronauts! This one-of-a-kind handmade space capsule is ready for liftoff. Built from a repurposed sodar speaker shell, it’s fiberglass like a boat, with a padded interior for comfy space missions. The wood-and-tin nose cone lifts off for easy entry, and for safety, the hatch doesn’t latch—just push it open when it’s time to return to Earth!

At 3 feet wide and 3.5 feet tall, it’s the perfect size for young explorers. A dream hideout for future astronauts, deep-space adventurers, or secret mission planners. Give this rocket ship a new home and let the countdown begin!”

Want to hear the follow up to this story? The space capsule is no longer for sale – a teacher from Ferrisburgh heard about this treasure and now it’s going to be donated to their school! Many adventures to come…

Best of FPF: Democracy and a Folding Chair

Anyone looking for Democracy on Monday night could have found her
at Woodbury Town Hall, sitting on a folding chair among a group of
residents meeting with the Select Board to discuss the proposed
Woodbury Mountain Wilderness Preserve.

She sat attentively through the presentation, learning about
“belt and suspender” conservation easements, forever-wild preservation,
saw-whet owls and fingernail clams; use value appraisal program,
red spruce-cinnamon fern, carbon, fishers, American beech;
transfer tax, linkage, Worcester to the Kingdom and Eagle Ledge,
watershed divide — Lamoille, Winooksi — meeting again in
Lake Champlain; black cherry, perpetuity, blue warbler, yellow—
bellied flycatcher, pink lady slipper, Huge Meyer and E.B. Hyde,
one Mountain, four Towns, and a Family that cared for its land…

As the agenda proceeded to comments and questions,
she edged forward in her chair. The public body raised its
hands representing voices ready to speak; in turn the
moderator signaled and they spoke: proponents citing
water, wildlife, habitat, views — protecting the roots;
opponents citing hunting, logging, traverse, tradition —
protecting the roots. Strong pleadings, disputes,
assertions, rebuttals; yet civil, forbearing, keeping the
ground fertile for seeds of concession and fruits of consensus.

Democracy herself said nothing, but nodded in agreement at
points well-made on both sides. She noted the solemn and eager,
with hands raised awaiting to speak — such restraint effecting
the orderliness required by Open Meeting Law, and
the neighborliness needed to build a community.

Discussion ended, residents folded and returned their chairs to the
corners, then milled about mingling and chatting. The Chair of the Board
carefully not too soon, at last reminded his garrulous neighbors that,
although discussion on the agenda item had ended, the meeting had not —
therefore please remain, seated, or say goodnight. Then the Board
on its bedrock of creaking wood floor and folding metal chairs
resumed the essential works of democracy.

She stayed through passage of the motion to adjourn, then donned her
frayed coat and walked out the door. She passed the Firehouse, Post Office, then
crossed the bridge at the stream, and hiked the hill toward the Library and School.
On this cold, clear, starry night Democracy took heart — for though now she feels
in some parts unwelcome, she finds enduring an unlocked door, an open floor,
and a folding chair at the Town Hall in Woodbury.