Category Archives: Front Porch Forum
Penguin now has a home
Witnessing daily small acts of neighborliness on Front Porch Forum
“What an amazing community we all live within! Thank you very much to the dozens of people who offered Penguin the hen a home after the fisher cat attack on her coop. She is now happily ensconced in a neighbor’s coop, and I feel very happily ensconced among this amazingly generous and caring community.”
• Zoe in Underhill
FPF‘s recent survey shows that 89% of respondents say their neighbors help others. How true!
Vacation tips from neighbors
Traveling soon? Your neighbors on Front Porch Forum just might have some stellar recommendations!
“I reached out on FPF for tips on places to visit and things to do while in Florida. I was looking forward to seeing family but dreading the Florida part of the trip. However, thanks to kind and seasoned travelers on FPF, I got a lot of tips that had me eating in a Greek restaurant in a sponge-diving community, kayaking down the Weeki Wachee River, and swimming with manatees. What a helpful community!” • Carl in East Montpelier
Picked up this morning after posted yesterday
Looking to sell or give-away household items…. or a car? Some success stories:
“Kitchen Aid Mixer & Toddler Bed Sold. Thanks for ALL the interest! Thank you to Front Porch Forum!” • Elizabeth in Danville
“FPF came out at 4:30 ish and by 6:00 I had 6 people contact me about the carpet!” • Gerry in Fayston
“The flooring is gone. Picked up this morning after posted yesterday. Way to go FPF.” • Noah in Montpelier
“Subaru sold! Thanks for ALL the inquires. Amazing the Power of FPF!!!” • Ginny in Stowe
“I’ve never received bogus calls or offers from anything posted here on FPF. Can’t say that for Craigslist!”
• John in Barre
Are you using Front Porch Forum to move some items?
A matter of trust
A recent article from the Times Argus highlights findings from FPF survey work done in 2017.
“Members of Front Porch Forum, who are not anonymous and make a commitment to be part of the online community, are comforted by the engagement of others. Perhaps at a time when contention is rampant, the sense of community, even online, is enough of a connection for members to feel a level of comfort and trust.
Community building takes various forms, whether that be public suppers, music, theater or meetings and discussion groups. Vermonters have always taken great pride in being good neighbors. Now we can take stock in knowing that being part of the community, even online, has merits that go far beyond chasing down lost dogs or finding a place to stay for a friend. It still means we connect.”
To read more, visit https://www.timesargus.com/articles/a-matter-of-trust/
FPF as a discussion tool
Varying opinions on a topic or issue can be difficult when not approached in a civic manner. Front Porch Forum members weigh in:
“Should we be discussing controversial issues on FPF? If not here, where? One of the problems with our pop culture these days is that we are constantly talking to those we agree with. Our social media echo chambers are really hurting our democracy. FPF is fundamentally different from Facebook. It is a platform where I can talk to my neighbors and they can talk to me. Facebook seems to be a self selecting group which will frequently share ones own views. How can we find common ground if we do not talk to one another? I think the discussion on guns in FPF has been respectful, diverse and informative.” • Jeff in Richmond
Use Front Porch Forum to have civil discussions on tough topics and connect with your neighbors.
Curling to support the Howard Center
Front Porch Forum is participating in Howard Center’s 2018 Curling Challenge to help raise money for the many Howard Center programs and services that support people in our community. Some of these include:
• 24/7/365 Crisis services
• Residential programs
• Specialized schools
• Street outreach
• Substance use treatment & recovery
• Suicide prevention
• Therapeutic camps
By contributing to our fundraising efforts on behalf of Howard Center, you will be making a real and lasting difference within our community. Follow This Link to donate now and help in our efforts to support Howard Center!
Uplifting moments after fires destroy homes
Recent fires, while tragic, also remind us how generous our communities can be helping those in need. FPF members respond:
“The fire at my home took almost everything from me. Despite my losses, I will be able to remember it as one of the most uplifting moments as well due to the outpouring of generosity, kindness, and love from the Montpelier Community. Never have I felt more cared for, or supported.” • Lauren in Montpelier
“Big Thanks to all the folks who worked their frozen fingers to the bone making it possible to save our store, library and community. If you see or know a Fire department Volunteer, please share your gratitude for keeping our town/village intact. This includes our Village and town employees as well. Thanks to all of you who reached out, stepped up, and pitched in; it’s what makes our town resilient and a place we want to live.” • Kim in Johnson
Front Porch Forum members respond to a call for help for a family who’s house was completely destroyed:
“I would like to thank everyone for the tremendous generosity and support. Knowing the love and support the community has shown is greatly helping them through this tragic time. Let us use this as a reminder to always reach out and help our neighbors.”
• Heidi in Monkton
Hibernating bear wakes up
“A Front Porch Forum post (from Kim in Shelburne) warning neighbors about the possible wandering bear yielded almost twenty email responses. Though she was the only one to actually see evidence of the animal, she said people were very interested in her experience.
Early spring flooding and warmer weather can bring the bears out, but colder weather will drive them back to sleep until an extended period of warmth spring occurs.
If you see a bear, or signs of a bear, there’s no need to panic or call Fish and Wildlife. Mary (with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department) said, “It’s cool to see them. Be careful that animals don’t get in the way of the bear, and enjoy seeing wildlife.” • As reported in the Shelburne News
Will the recent warmer temps awaken more bears? Keep your neighbors updated on FPF!
Revitalizing downtown Randolph
Residents in Randolph are making great use of Front Porch Forum to stir up ideas regarding their downtown! It all started with one post…. and numerous responses later, the community held a brainstorming session and created a survey to set some goals to stimulate business in their downtown.
“Lets see if we can get a list, through discussion, on what types of business people might like to see downtown. Lets list anything that we can dream up” • John in East Randolph
“I appreciate how much everyone has engaged in this discussion, you all have wonderful ideas and we should really think about getting together to have this discussion in person. It seems like the energy is there and that’s the most important ingredient.” • Trevor in Randolph
“Gratitude for all the thoughtful discussion going on. Front Porch Forum is alive–and so is Randolph!” • Josie in Randolph Center
We can’t wait to see what develops!
We have a winner!
Barbara in Danville has won a new iPad for using FPF’s “Invite Neighbors“ feature as part of our recent push for new members. She was randomly selected from those members who successfully invited their friends, family and neighbors to join the conversation on Front Porch Forum over this past week.
Congrats to Barbara and thanks to all of our FPF members who participated in our contest.
Interested in learning more ways you can stir up interest in your FPF? Learn more here:
https://frontporchforum.com/about-us/pitch-in
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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