Category Archives: Front Porch Forum

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: 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.

An Appreciation Week Sampler

In the week leading up to Valentine’s Day, we invited members of Front Porch Forum to share what you care about in your community. “Is there a person, a program, or a place in your town or neighborhood that makes things just a little bit better? Helps your town to connect? Makes a dark day brighter?”

Well, people REALLY stepped up. Hundreds of messages spread warmth across Vermont.

Here are some snippets that were extra sweet:

“Sending a very special love note of gratitude to our dear neighbors and their exuberant galumphing dog. There are so many reasons to love this family, like shared gardening conversations over the fence, backyard fires, Halloween celebrations, watching their kiddos grow from youngins that my own kiddo looks up to into vibrant teenagers, sharing cups of flour and eggs, sips of a happy hour beverage on the porch… And then perhaps my most jubilent reason to love them, their sweet pooch, who my darling pup considers his girlfriend extraordinaire.”
• Ali, Bristol Forum

“Residents being attuned to our neighbors and community members, efforts to maintain the unique identity of a community, people demonstrating they want to share and celebrate, a resounding understanding that Community is not static- but needs to be developed, sought after, and nourished.”
• Bernie, Jericho

“I appreciate neighbors helping neighbors: sharing garden produce or baked goods, loaning a lawn mower or a tractor, shoveling a path, or running an errand. I appreciate us looking for the best in each other.”
• Margaret, Sandgate

“We were delighted to find pink and red hearts sprayed on our neighborhood snowbanks.”
• Paul, Waterbury

“I appreciate all the people with chickens that offer their spare eggs for sale during the warmer months. I love being able to buy my eggs locally from happy chickens instead of going to the grocery store. A carton of multi-colored eggs is a small joy in my day.”
• Jaylann, East Montpelier

“The other day we were driving past the Town Green and my grand daughter exclaimed: that where the sleigh with reindeer was. That’s where my dad played music! I am so grateful to the many people who help ensure that our Town Green has many wonderful and family friendly events all year long.”
• Cheryl, New Haven

The February 13 “Best of FPF” featured the following:

“Linda always has a kind smile and caring words for anyone who enters Beaudry’s Store. Open seven days a week without fail – now THAT is unwavering commitment. Thank you Linda for being a BEST friend to our town.”
• Melinda, Huntington Forum

“Deep bow of gratitude and appreciation for the Broad Brook Community Center, which hosts such wonderful community gatherings… beautiful and welcoming with its two big red doors, the old Grange is one of the vital beating hearts of Guilford.”
• Willow, Guilford Forum

“I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the staff and residents of Thompson House in Brattleboro. The staff is amazing: loving, caring, kind, and attentive. It is a real community and I feel very, very lucky to have my Dad living there.”
• Robert, Newfane Forum

“Farmer James cares so much for the bees and pollinators in our community and the whole world! He works hard to help people stay informed about what we all can do to help them and us to have a better future for everyone 🐝🐝🐝.”
• Donna, Bethel Forum

“My children and I really appreciate the skating rink in Randolph. They have wonderful employees that are happy to help and the kids absolutely love the ice time!”
• Kat, Braintree Forum

“I appreciate the Middletown Springs Volunteer Fire Department for selflessly putting their lives on the line every time that siren goes off. They’re out day or night, in all kinds of weather and out of love of neighbor and the goodness of their hearts and for no pay. Every one a hero.”
• Larry, Middletown Springs Forum

“In the early morning hours today, I was woken from sleep in my warm, comfy bed because my dogs wanted to let me know that the person driving the town plow in our neighborhood was already working hard in the cold and dark to make sure that we could safely go where we needed to go today.”
• Janan, Northfield Forum

Best of FPF: NaHaiWriMo – What!?

Lalee invited members of the Craftsbury Forum to get creative this month. We thought their posting was well worth a share:

“National Haiku Writing Month is here! Rev your pens, sharpen your pencils, get ready, get set, go! I’ll post a digested list of prompts each week, you bring your curiosity and creativity to the page. (Haiku is a short, Japanese-style poem of only three lines. It’s generally ruled by a syllable count of 5 syllables in the first line, 7 in the second, and 5 in the third.)

Thursday: fortitude
Friday: clarity
Saturday: gravity
Sunday: ravenous
Monday: peculiar
Tuesday: quandary
Wednesday: stampede

Craftsbury’s Third Annual Haiku Slam to follow!”

Best of FPF: A Lone Skater

Ann took solace in a lovely winter scene and shared it on the South Hero Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“To whoever was playing ice hockey alone at 5 pm today (Sunday) — pretty far out, halfway between Apple Island Marina and Paradise Bay — thank you. It was beautiful to watch and lifted my mood.”

Best of FPF: Cookie Love

Dana shared this lovely story on their Montpelier Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:

“We came home this evening to find a sweet surprise pinned to our mailbox: a Ziploc bag of cookies and an index card reading, ‘I know that love is ultimately the only answer to mankind’s problems.’ – MLK Jr., plus many hand-drawn hearts and the words ‘Peace on Earth’ in glittery gel pen.

I might have a guess as to which neighbor brought this gift, or I might not. Whoever you are, thank you for your mysterious generosity on a single-digit night.”