Category Archives: Front Porch Forum
Neighborly connections through FPF
Those new to a community often turn to Front Porch Forum to find connections. What they find are wonderful neighbors!
“I just moved to the neighborhood a few weeks ago! I am wondering if anyone is crafty or interested in crafts. I am hoping to have craft nights with others and maybe share techniques, catalogues, favorite tool, etc. Please be in touch if you would like to get together and talk crafts.” • Kelley in Essex Junction
“Hi FPF community, You all are the reason we chose to settle here and raise our family! The support you have shown after the loss of one third of my laying hens to a couple of domestic dogs, has truly been humbling. I thank you all for your kind words, your offers of help, suggestions & empathy. What a tremendous community, with wonderful neighbors, we all live in!!” • Deborah & Tim in East Hardwick
The unfiltered story of FPF on “Start Here”
Front Porch Forum co-founder, Michael Wood-Lewis, was recently interviewed on the Vermont Centers for Emerging Technologies (VCET), “Start Here” podcast, which shares the stories of active, aspiring and accidental entrepreneurs.
“Featuring Vermont’s most influential business leaders, Start Here bridges the gap between entertainment and inspiration by presenting the unfiltered stories of today’s top innovators. Everybody starts somewhere – why not Start Here?”
Click below and have a listen!
Paying it forward
The Holiday Season is fast approaching, but on Front Porch Forum we see neighbors paying it forward year-round. See this very generous posting from a Montpelier neighbor looking to pass on the goodwill in her life:
“Hi neighbors! I’ve just been to Costco for the first time since moving to Central Vermont a couple of years ago, and am super happy with the nutritious and relatively inexpensive food I was able to purchase!
As I’ve been experiencing some stressful food, fuel, and housing insecurity this past year, I’ve been incredibly grateful to local friends and organizations who have generously helped me fill up a tank of gas so I could get to work, share some of their shelf-stable food so I wouldn’t go hungry, and more!
I’d like to pay it forward please let me know if any or all of the following (fresh, refrigerated) would be helpful to you, and when and where I could bring it to you…”
Get inspired to connect with your neighbors and you might find surprising ways to support one another!
A mistakenly taken lawn mower
Frequently neighbors post on Front Porch Forum offering free items. What happens when the wrong item is taken?
“I am hoping this is a misunderstanding, but I posted a listing on FPF advertising free lawn mowers to give away. Several folks contacted me and one gentleman came and picked up 2 while I was here (those mowers are NOT in question). However, 2 mowers were taken that WERE NOT available to take because they are our running mowers. I am asking that if you took them thinking they were free, contact me and return them, no questions asked.”
Shortly after this post, a neighbor responds!
“The mowers were returned and my faith in my neighbors has been confirmed!! Thank you to the person that returned them and, again, I am sorry for the confusion!!! Thank God for good people and Front Porch Forum!!!“ • Bill in Hyde Park
Did your Little Bo Peep lose a sweet stuffed sheep?
In response to this query on FPF:
“We know we live in a very special community. Reading the notice about finding a child’s stuffed toy affirmed this belief. I remember driving hours to retrieve a forgotten animal at Grandma’s house. How could our son possibly sleep without it? Thank you, Penelope. You have made a real effort to reunite these two friends and warmed my heart.” • Joan in Craftsbury
“Wow, there is nothing like living in a community of wonderful, caring folks. We are thankful for the return of our husky Braveheart and for everyone who kept a lookout and reached out to us. Much gratitude and love : )” • Marilyn in Fayston
“Drone found! Thanks Front Porch Forum and to Stacy, who found it. We are most grateful.” • Torrey in Bristol
You never know what your neighbors might find on FPF!
FPF on VPR’s Vermont Edition Oct. 23
Tune in to VPR on Wed., Oct. 23 from 12:05 p.m. – 12:45 p.m., to hear a fascinating discussion between Jane Lindholm and FPF co-founder, Michael Wood-Lewis. Details here.
This Vermont Edition will take a deep-dive into responses from survey participants about life in rural Vermont. The results of the Vermont Rural Life Survey, a part of the VPR and Vermont PBS This Land project, reveal new insights into the quality of life in Vermont.
Turn on your radio for this great segment on Wednesday afternoon, or stream it here!
In giving you will receive
It’s wonderful to know we have neighbors and loved ones alike who can help us out when we need a hand. Sometimes, it’s even better to be the one offering something! A heartfelt story of thanks shared on Front Porch Forum below…
“Last month Rachel O., who is a teacher, requested Legos on our Front Porch Forum. I had a large bin of them from my grandchildren. They hadn’t played with them for years, so I thought it would be a good thing to donate them to Rachel, for her students.
Well, yesterday I received a thick envelope, in the mail. Seven students, from her 5/6th grade class wrote me thank you letters. What a heart warming surprise!
The saying goes, ” in giving, you will receive” how true that is.” • Carmen in Burlington
If you want to see more stories like this, consider supporting FPF with your donation – become a Supporting Member.
People are awesome
One FPF member took to her forum to share just how awesome the people she’s met on Front Porch Forum are! Check it out:
“I just have to say that I have had such amazing people reach out to me since I moved here. My cousin has lived here in Morrisville for the past 30 years. Anytime I have needed help, she has referred me to this wonderful community here on Front Porch Forum. I have gotten free snow tires, a free haircut, furniture, and anonymous people helping me out. I am 61, a widow, and have disabilities. People are reaching out to me now offering me help to dig out my buried car. I am so grateful to all of you. Thank you for your generosity and caring. Hopefully some day, I can be of service somehow to someone. God bless you, and thanks to Front Porch Forum for existing.” • Gloria in Morrisville
Do you love your Front Porch Forum community? Help us get more people involved – donate to our October Supporting Member campaign today!
Trick-or-treating in rural Vermont
Vermont is one of the most rural states in the U.S. and many Vermonters live in homes that are tucked up to many miles away from the next house or main street. This can make participating in fun, community-centric celebrations, such as trick-or-treating, a real challenge.
See how this FPF member is coming up with ways to get more people involved in this year’s festivities!:
“Every year, my wife and I take our son to trick or treat around the center of Newfane. Living in a rural community, even in the center of town houses are a bit spread out and not all houses participate. Now since we live on a road that, let’s be honest, no one is going to take their kids trick or treating on, we though it would be nice to set up a table and display on the town common to give out treats.
We thought perhaps other folks who live out of town might like to participate as well.
I would love to hear other peoples thoughts on this. I think this could be a fun night, and bring more people out to celebrate.” • Jeffrey in Newfane
Have you used Front Porch Forum to get more involved in your community? If so, consider becoming a Supporting Member – make a donation today!
Sasquatch Stolen
Every now and then we see crime report postings on FPF. This one caught our eye!
“Sometime between Friday night, 6:36pm and Saturday 6:00pm, our 8 foot tall 3/4” plywood silhouette of Sasquatch was stolen from our yard. Contact us if you have seen him or her.” • Paul in So. Wheelock
This is also not the first time Front Porch Forum members have posted about Sasquatch:
“I heard from a woman whose son and several classmates saw a Sasquatch behind the Elementary School last winter and a man who has heard house-rattling screams late at night. “ • Christopher in East Calais
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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