Category Archives: Front Porch Forum
Join Us at Tech Jam
Join Front Porch Forum and dozens of Vermont tech firms at this year’s Vermont Tech Jam, presented by Seven Days. This free event will be held on Friday, October 19, at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction. Enjoy presentations, demos, and displays. Learn More about Tech Jam here. You can find FPF at booth G1!
The next best thing to sitting around a pot-belly stove….
Times may change, but Front Porch Forum is happy to provide a gathering place for neighbors across the state.
“Front Porch Forum is the next best thing to sitting around a pot-belly stove in the town general store. Neighbors meet neighbors, exchange ideas, ask and make recommendations, sell and buy useful items, publicize local events, find missing pets, and much, much more. We’re here for one another in the old-fashioned way. Let’s keep this Forum flourishing with a critical donation, no matter how large or small.” – Gretchen B. in Morrisville
If you value the free service that Front Porch Forum provides to your community, consider making a supporting member contribution today: https://frontporchforum.com/supporting-members.
Do you appreciate Front Porch Forum?
Need a recommendation? Having a yard sale? Looking for your lost pet? Front Porch Forum is used by Vermonters for many different reasons. But one thing that’s true for its members is that FPF connects us to one another.
If you appreciate the way Front Porch Forum helps us stay connected as a community, please consider donating to FPF’s Supporting Member Campaign this month! Track our progress with this fun leaf bag help us fill it up by the end of the month!
“I am continually amazed by the kindness of strangers and the strength of our community. Last winter, I wrote a posting on Front Porch Forum to request help digging out after a large snow storm. I’m disabled and can’t do it. Less than an hour after the FPF issue was sent out, I received TEN offers from folks wanting to help! I am so grateful and happy to live in an amazing community like this. Without FPF, I might still be snowed in. ;-)”
• Cara in Winooski
Your support allows FPF to reach even more people and continue to bring our free service to every town in Vermont. Together we’re connecting neighbors and building community.
The Great Monday Night Dog Chase
It’s not uncommon to hear wild tales of animal chases and gracious shout outs on Front Porch Forum, but it never gets old!
“Thank you to everyone who helped, offered to assist, pointed us in the right direction, or simply wished us luck as we chased the very fast and wily “Rolo the dog” all over our fair city after he escaped while we were dog-sitting. His jaunt included most of North Street (twice), Spring Street, all of Weaver Street, the Winooski Circle, the Casavant trail, and ended on Platt Street.
A special thanks to Ben for assisting with our pursuit on his moped; to all of the folks who donned headlamps and searched on foot; to the kind couple on Platt Street who found one very exhausted pup in their driveway and called the Winooski PD; and to the Winooski Police Department for their kindness and prompt attention. And lastly, our sincere apologies to anyone who was offended by a silver Subaru that was driving in a less-than-courteous manner as we tried to keep Rolo the Escapee in our sights.
Rolo is home safe and sound, and we are grateful for such a caring community! ” – Charlotte A. & Chris in Winooski
Appreciation for the splendor around us
A neighbor shares his love of a local trail on Front Porch Forum.
“I took my first ride under forest canopy, between wildflower meadows in full bloom with our native species, flushed out flocks of Goldfinch, travelled past pond and wildlife on paths in excellent condition. See vineyard and mountain peaks colored by the sunset and get away from it all right here!” • Larry in Charlotte
Thanks for the reminder to get out and explore where we live!
Thankful to live in such a cool place
Witnessing good deeds from neighbors happens often on Front Porch Forum:
“Thank you to the mysterious neighbor who patched my flat tire while I was out of town. I moved to Vermont in the last year and have met a lot of very nice people, but this goes above and beyond what I would expect out of my neighbors. I will honor your good deed by doing a good deed for someone else in need in the future.“ • Kevin in Winooski
“I drove into the gas station on fumes, parked in front of the pump, and noticed that I had left my purse at home. A gentlemen who happened to be in the store simply offered to pay for the gas, saying “It makes me happy if I can help.” Such generosity is rare and hope will be repaid to you in kindness many times over!” • Isa in Greensboro
“Thank you to the kind person who turned in my debit card, dropped on the trail, to our bank. I appreciate it very much and hope to come across you on the path to thank you in person very soon.” • Hillary in Shelburne
Is there someone in your town you want to thank? Post it on FPF!
Best of social media
VPR correspondent, Stephanie Green, shared her FPF experience on the radio this morning. Looking to her neighbors for recommendations on a good plumber, she was “astounded to get 13 useful replies in 24 hours…. I had no idea so many people read these posts so closely – or felt so passionately about their plumbers. And the re-connection to my neighbors was heartening. This, I think, is social media at its best, and it’s a relief when we’re daily buffeted by national headlines about social media at its very worst.”
Read or listen to her commentary at http://digital.vpr.net/post/greene-best-social-media
Free rhubarb. Swap for pie.
A beautiful example of using Front Porch Forum
“I harvested my large rhubarb plant. However my baking skills do not match my gardening skills, so I posted: “Free rhubarb. Will consider swap for a pie.” I swapped the rhubarb, got a luscious pie and a new friend who will get my crop annually. I look forward to years of pies.” • Renee in Warren
Have an abundance of vegetables in your garden? Share them with neighbors on FPF!
FPF’s role in “Catching Murphy”
It isn’t unusual to follow stories on Front Porch Forum of owners looking for and reconnecting with their lost pets. From dogs and cats to goats, chickens and pigs, we’ve seen it all. However, the story of Murphy, a runaway golden retriever, and how he captured the hearts of Vermont communities is very special. So special, that Wilson Ring, FPF member and the state’s correspondent for the Associated Press, wrote a book about it.
“see a glimpse of how a small Vermont town rallied together to help bring Murphy home.”
Read the story of Catching Murphy, documented through local neighborhood FPF posts.
A community gathering place
“I am so grateful to Front Porch Forum. It strikes me how casually we use this gathering place, how satisfying it is even if we’re just looking for a Phillip’s head screwdriver, and how much more important many of our needs and generosity and community support have become.
And the tenderness of this community always comes through.
But it does need a forum, and thankfully we have one.
I just expressed my gratitude by pledging a monthly donation to keep it all going. When you think of what we receive; the discussions we have; the friends we make; the help that comes our way, it does seem appropriate to say thank you.”
• Tami in Montpelier
And we are grateful for our FPF members as well!
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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