Thanks Padma! Glad to see you making the most of Front Porch Forum.
Category Archives: Front Porch Forum
Decline of open web in favor of social media… “grim consequences”
Posted on Friday, April 7, 2017 by Michael • No comments yet
Iran’s “Blogfather,” Hossein Derakhshan, in a recent interview on the NiemanStoryboard…
“The decline of the web in favor of social media entails grim consequences. Hyperlinks were the founding principle of the web; it secured a diversity, nonlinearity, decentralization and interactivity, which made the web so powerful. But social media’s very philosophy and monetization strategy, or the stream, cannot be friendly to hyperlinks, since they do not want their users to leave their space. This new environment, in addition to the currently dominant algorithms, which favors popularity and now-ness rather than diversity and quality, is worse than television in its potential damage to representative democratic societies, where majority is supposed to take informed decisions without jeopardizing minorities. The rise of identity politics and intolerance for diversity is directly linked to the current form of the internet. This is the deepest shock of this transition to me since my release. This shift from what I call books-internet to TV-internet.”
Unlike some other social media platforms, Front Porch Forum doesn’t aim to lure people in and hold their attention 24/7. FPF, for many Vermonters, is a 10-minute-a-day habit that leads to more face-to-face conversations with neighbors… and to friendlier, more informed, and more resilient local communities. Hyperlinks in FPF postings are an important part of that.
Find & Seek with your neighbors
Posted on Friday, April 7, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • No comments yet
Neighbors across the state turn to their local FPF for recommendations on who to turn to when they need help and to support local entrepreneurs.
“Thank You for the Seamstress Reco’s! This forum is the best! Donna from SSE wins by popular demand. Will be sure to tell her of her overwhelming popularity when I see her.”
• Kate in Waterbury
“I’d like to offer a recommendation for Casey and her eggs. I’ve been buying them for a couple of months and they are tasty and fresh. Fun too as some are light blue shells… help support a local family!”
• Bets in Barre
“When we were looking for a carpenter/handyman/painter I looked here on Front Porch Forum and found recommendations for Jeremiah. Thank you, FPF, because he is great!”
• Martha in Shelburne
Organic connections make difference to FPF member
Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • No comments yet
“I want to thank you so much for the work that FPF does. It connects communities in such an organic way. As a new homeowner I would be up a creek without it. Professionally I can cite it as a reason for my growth.”
• R.J. in Middlebury
New homeowner? Consider posting in your neighborhood FPF for answers you need.
Small business given tremendous boost
Posted on Monday, April 3, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • No comments yet
“My successful, mostly Montpelier-based, business has been given a tremendous boost by Front Porch Forum…just a few ads, and many recommendations and referrals later, I can say that it works well for many things, in many ways. Please support FPF if you can…just use this link: https://frontporchforum.com/supporting-members”
• Todd in Montpelier
Have a small business? Use the FPF Business Directory and start posting to your neighbors!
Building bridges with potlucks and in-person conversation
Posted on Friday, March 31, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • No comments yet
It’s heartening to see local folks in Westford using their FPF to promote their new “Neighbor to Neighbor” program; organizing local in-person conversation of challenging topics…
“Bring a dish to share at potluck talks designed to build bridges between neighbors while talking about issues of importance to us as Vermonters. The first talk will focus on migrant workers on Vermont farms. This issue has been in the news recently and, as a farming community, is important to our town.”
• Fred in Westford
Would something like this work in your town? Give it a shot! Post on Front Porch Forum.
Scary moments turn into happy reunions
Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • No comments yet
Scary moments are sometimes the moment when pet owners, discover the ultimate value of their neighborhood FPF.
“Both Zeke and Trip have been found and are safe. Thank you to everyone who has worried, searched, and sent good thoughts into the universe. This is a wonderfully happy ending. And a HUGE shout out to Front Porch Forum. The speed with which you post appeals for help in locating missing pets is astonishing…and heart-warming. Thank you!”
• Lynn in Stowe
“Last night I was warmed by the first two of eleven postings. The first: a plea to area residents for help finding a newly rescued Alaskan Malamute mix that had broken away from his master. And the second post? “Found – Young, Friendly, Collar-Less Malmut or Husky”. What magic! I went to bed envisioning a very happy reunion.”
• Linda in South Burlington
Your neighbors can be one of your best support system in times of need. Turn to your FPF and post for help.
Sharing insights with neighbors on pruning fruit trees
Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • No comments yet
“It is my privilege to advise fruit tree owners in the time honored ability to further their orchards’ health and fertility. Thanks to FPF for bringing my neighbors insights to my attention and giving me a chance to advertise my own expertise. Please contribute to this our medium by giving to https://frontporchforum.com/supporting-members.”
• Padma in Middlesex
FPF Reaches Million-Posting Milestone
Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • No comments yet
2017 marked the moment when Front Porch Forum saw its one-millionth posting! Celebrating 10 years helping neighbors connect and build community, FPF has experienced tremendous growth and accomplishments to serve every community in Vermont.
Take note of these FPF Milestones:
• More than 1 million postings made by our members
• 3.5 million e-newsletters sent every month
• More than 130,000 membersin a state with only 260,000 households
Co-Founder, Michael Wood-Lewis notes “we couldn’t be happier about the impact FPF has had across Vermont. Once people have an easy and safe way to communicate with neighbors, they do! And that simple act adds up. The cumulative impact is huge… after months of FPF, people often report feeling more connected to neighbors, more tuned in to local goings on, and more a part of their community. And in many cases, people then become more active… organizing a group yard sale, mentoring a local kid, volunteering for a park clean-up, voting on election day, and, most recently, helping each other during Blizzard Stella. That’s what FPF is all about!”
South Burlington neighbors shovel for a cause!
Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • No comments yet
“Shoveling for a Cause”, picked up by the Burlington Free Press and in turn by the Weather Channel, began with a FPF neighbor wanting to make a difference.
“I had the Opportunity to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s at both a local and national platform. It took the Orchard Neighborhood to make that happen. Just wanted to say thank you to all involved.. Check out one of two interviews”
• Louis in South Burlington
Good Samaritans helps neighbors stuck in a pickle
Posted on Monday, March 20, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • No comments yet
“Our car got stuck in the middle of the road right at the intersection. Thanks to the kind Good Samaritan who took his time to guide and help us out, we were able to get home safely.”
• Ligia in Essex
“My car slipped off the road last night and every single car that passed stopped to ask if I was alright. You do not see that degree of kindness everywhere. I feel really lucky to live here and have such thoughtful neighbors.” • Meredith in Moretown
We love hearing the stories of the good people out there from our FPF neighbors . Have you experienced an act of kindness recently in your town? Let your neighbors know.
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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