We regularly receive appreciative notes at Front Porch Forum from our members. It’s especially warming to know that we are having a positive impact on the towns throughout Vermont.
“There really is a sense of community commitment, responsibility, and self-reliance that we’ve never seen any place else when we read FPF. It’s a wonderful on-line communication model for communities that want to effectively keep in touch, and offer something for everyone. We thoroughly enjoy the news and updates from the surrounding communities, as well as updates on the legislative meetings that are open to the public. It is not only engaging to learn about what services are available (enormously helpful!), but the social calendars are fun too.”
• Rona & Richard in Arlington
Are you using your FPF calendar?
We all have pet peeves… this one resonated with us!
“One of my pet peeves: bagged dog poop just tossed wherever like a huge bagged colorful flag saying “I’m now sequesturd in a plastic bag, but I’m still poopy, and everyone can see me now.” Why in the world would someone take the trouble to bag the poop and then leave the bagged poopies all over the place? On a run with my wife the other day, I picked up 5 of them. FIVE! (am I not virtuous?) I’m really puzzled by it: why bag it and then pitch it wherever? I mean, isn’t it better to just leave it unbagged? (not that I’m suggesting that at all, no, not at all) instead of adding a bag to it? There’s got to be some logic to this widespread practice. People are generally logical by their own lights, just not by other people’s lights. Is it that the dog chooses to poop right in front of everyone, and so one just has to bag it or face massive disopprobrium, but then later one, when no one is looking, it’s easier to dump the poop? I volunteer my trash bin for bagged poopies: feel free to bag it up, tie it off, and leave it in my bin. But do tie it off, so my bin doesn’t smell like poopy.” • Jacques in Burlington
Have some thoughts to share? Post them on Front Porch Forum!
Neighbors helping neighbors and their communities. It’s what Front Porch Forum is all about!
“Harwood Youth Lacrosse posted on FPF looking for some assistance making 2 goals for our program. James quickly stepped up and offered to take the job. We provided the pipes to him and he donated his time, expertise and any additional welding materials to this job.
The lacrosse program that we put on for the kids in our area requires a lot of dedication. Our program is 100% volunteer. James stepped up and became a volunteer not because he has a kid in the program, not because he loves or even knows the game, he volunteered to help out the kids in our community. We can not thank James enough for all of his hard work!”
• Paul in Waterbury
Sometimes the posts we see on Front Porch Forum, bring a chuckle and smile. Here’s yours for today!
In the morning: “While putting away my studded snows, one got away from me and rolled down the street and I can’t find it. If it landed in your yard, please let me know…”
By the afternoon: “Well, my ego and reputation may be a bit bruised, but fortunately nothing else was – thanks to the great help of neighbors and the Montpelier Police who found the lost tire that rolled a remarkable trajectory into another neighborhood. If only I could lose the spare tire around my waistline as easily!!” • Emily in Montpelier
Spring is here, and FPF members are looking to get fit with their neighbors.
“Spring is Finally Here – Let’s Play Tennis! Looking for other intermediate players to get out on the courts. Can play after 4 weekdays and anytime on the weekend. Hope to see you on the courts.”
“Hello runners. I know many of us run to clear our heads and have time alone. But sometimes it’s nice to run with other people too! I want to start a little running crew to run 3-5 miles on a regular basis, 9-10 minute mile pace. The specifics may change a little depending upon who participates. I think this could be great. Happy spring.”
• Kevin and Brittain in Morrisville
Have an idea to get outside with your neighbors and enjoy Spring? Get started on Front Porch Forum!
We’ve all begun to notice the trees beginning to bloom, and FPF member William, brings his insight about what it all means. Did you know there are male and female flowers?
“The red “buds” on the Red Maples and the green “buds” on the Sugar Maples and Norway Maples, are not leaves, they are flowers.
The reproductive biology of Sugar Maples is especially interesting. They are bisexual, producing both male and female gametes, so how do you avoid the ultimate incest of mating, not just with a sibling, but with yourself? Sugar Maples do this by producing the male and female flowers at different times. Some trees in the population are protandrous, and produce the male flowers first, then the female flowers second. Other trees are protogynous, producing the female flowers first, then the male flowers. The male flowers are long and pendulous, with the anthers which produce the pollen. The female flowers are bulkier but less obvious, with the stigmas, which capture the pollen, at the outside, leading down to the ovule at the base. If you look closely, the ovule looks like a pimple with ears. Eventually the ovule will ripen into the maple fruit, with the seed inside, and the “ears” will become the “wings”.”
• William in Warren
“On April 27, my 13-year-old was attacked just before 6 p.m. by a man with a folding pocketknife on the bike path near the train trestle between North Beach and Leddy Park. The man demanded my son hand over his bike and his wallet. Although my son was fortunate enough to get away with both his bike and his wallet, the man slashed him with the knife on his face and his shoulder. The cuts were superficial, but the whole event was incredibly frightening. Please take care on the bike path!”
• Lori, a Burlington South End neighborhood Front Porch Forum
UPDATE: “I’ve received several requests for a description of the man who assaulted my son on the bike path on Thursday, April 27. My son is still in shock and cannot recall all that happened, but here are the details he remembers about the man: White male, mid- to late twenties, approximately 5′ 7″ tall, average build, was wearing a very nice Nike zip-front black hoodie with the hood up and navy workout pants, and had two rings on his right hand—one on the pointer finger and one on his middle finger. The man first slashed my son while the knife was in his right hand, but then transferred the knife to his left hand before slashing my son the second time.”
In honor of Earth Day, the upcoming Climate March and Green-Up day, Front Porch Forum members share their love of our surroundings and mother earth.
“Through FPF I have gotten:
Two great bikes
A tennis racket (and a tennis instructor)
Field hockey sticks
A couch
An ironing board
Cross country skis
Reduce, reuse, recycle…. Save money and our earth by not buying new!”
• Jane in Richmond
“I’ll be driving to Montpelier on Saturday for the climate march, and have room in my car for 2-3 folks to ride along. If you’d like to join me, I’d love the company. (And it makes much more sense to carpool to a climate rally than drive alone!)”
• Sophia in Burlington
• Steve in Montpelier
“I would encourage everyone to get out and do some greening up this week. It’s a great idea to post where you’ve done cleanup.”
• Meg and Penny in Underhill
Front Porch Forum members experience kindness in the middle of the road.
“My Subaru died right at the stop sign – at 8 AM! Dead. Within 8 minutes, no fewer than 6 commuters stopped to ask if they could help. None of those people knew me. Thanks so much, neighbors, and especially thanks to the woman who helped me push my subie out of harm’s way! What a wonderfully heartwarming way to start the day!”
• Yvette in Morristown
“I had the terrifying experience of my car dying in the middle of Rt 2. I managed to get my car mostly off the road, but had no cell service. Chief Roland came along, arranged for a tow, called my husband and waited with me until the tow truck came. I can’t begin to express how grateful I am for his concern and kindness.” • Michelle in East Montpelier
Have someone you want to thank, but don’t know how? Post it on FPF!
After the recent passing of an elderly neighbor in Jericho, her stories of this community are remembered on FPF.
“Margurite was a prolific Jericho author, who wrote about moving to the country with her husband and doctor. Her short anecdotes were light and entertaining. They concerned the quirks of rural life and the characters she and George came across in the days before IBM, ski bums and back to the landers who changed life in these parts. She kept writing even into her 90s and there are many of her books at the library.”
• Wayne in Jericho
Share your own memories about neighbors who have left a mark on your town on Front Porch Forum.
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