Category Archives: Stories

Good Citizen Nominees

Seven Days hosts a Good Citizen Challenge each summer for kids in K-8, to learn civics and practice the habits of good citizenship. Front Porch Forum has enjoyed the tradition of partnering with Seven Days on this effort, which wrapped up on September 7. 

This year, Challenge #23 was to: “Nominate a Good Citizen. Good Citizens rarely act alone. This is your chance to nominate a person (grown-up or big kid!) who makes your community a better place. Join (or ask your parents to join) Front Porch Forum and share your nomination. Tell us how this person helps others. All nominations will be entered into a Front Porch Forum raffle, and a randomly selected nominee will receive a $250 gift card to recognize them for their community-minded work.”

Meet this year’s winner! Congratulations to Konnor who, with the help of their teacher, posted in the South End Forum, Burlington

“I nominate Doug Woods because he is a special educator at Champlain school, he’s really patient and helps kids out when they’re struggling. He is also funny and knows how to make people laugh when they’re in a bad mood.”   

Doug received a gift card to one of his favorite local businesses.

Please celebrate and appreciate all of the 2026 nominees:

Penelope, Cabot Forum
“Leonia Pike walks with her dog, Snowman and picks up trash along the roadside. We say hello to her and Snowman when they walk on our road.”

Theo, New North End Forum, Burlington
“I am nominating my 1st grade teacher, Susan Brooks as a Good Citizen. Mrs. Brooks is so amazing because she is kind, she teaches skiing and she is an unforgettable teacher.  She is always there for you if you need her.  And she always has a smile on her face- it is the kindest smile ever.  She used to teach at J.J. Flynn Elementary School but she retired this year. I think she deserves to be recognized as a GREAT citizen for everything she has done for our school and community.”

Ellie, Cabot Forum
“Andy Mcnulty picks up bottles and cans from the side of the road. He also helps clear walkways in the wintertime. He is friendly and waves at people when they pass by.” 

Ben, Shelburne Forum
“I nominate Katie Bosley, children’s librarian at Pierson, for a Good Citizen award. She helps kids find books to read to match their interest and level. She’s given me suggestions that have become some of my favorite books. She organizes special events, like the for kindergartners who got books dedicated to them today, or when authors like Kate Messner visit. She makes every kid feel special and our community is better because of her. I really like visiting the library.”

Sarah, Groton Forum
“I love going to Groton Free Library. I want to nominate our town librarian, Sarah. She plans A Day in Our Village and Winter Lights. There are also lots of other events she plans throughout the year. She coordinated summer meals and stocks snacks. I love her story walk and all the crafts she does with us.”

DH, New North End Forum
“I would like to nominate Daniel Hartz as a good citizen. He holds the door for everyone at really any store that has a door that you have to hold open. He is kind and makes sure to pick up his dog’s poop and is a responsible pet owner. He doesn’t litter and if he drops a piece of trash he picks it up and puts it in the nearest trash can. He participates in a meeting in a special group for our association and he’s on the board and tries to do the best for our neighborhood.”

Chris, Milton Forum
“I’m nominating Marie Dupont, my grandma cause she’s a good citizen. She volunteers at the elementary school, she volunteers at the food shelf in milton, sorting food and growing vegetables, and she volunteers at age well. She also takes care of me sometimes when my parents need help. She always tries to help her neighbors, and she’s a good person.”

Ellis, Milton Forum
“Rose Bothfeld helps at church with meals for the community.  She takes care of elders in need and is helping our neighbor with farm chores. She is great!'”

Myles, Milton Forum
“Dana Glazier helps Cabot Trails, so everyone can have nice trails through the woods. I got to make a birdhouse with Dana to be put along the trail! He’s a really nice guy.”

Blaise, Winooski Forum
“Robin Merritt helps get children signed up for sports while going above and beyond for Winooski sports.”

Colt, Winooski Forum
“Justin Matis fixes cars and trucks for people in our community to keep them running on the roads.”

JM, Ferrisburgh Forum
“Jill Martin is a good citizen because when I get into the dips (when you get stuck), she helps me get out and keep going. She also gets to help people in court every day. She’s so kind. She always introduces me to lots of things and wants to know what my day is like. And she married the best guy ever.  💗💗💗😘😘”

Jacqui, Richmond Forum
“I think that Brian Godfrey makes our community a better place because he made an entire after-school camp and summer camp for all the kids in Richmond, Jerico, Huntington and more towns. He also organized the snow motion ski program at Cochran’s, so kids from RES can learn how to ski. And he is a PE teacher at the school of RES. So, as part of the good citizen challenge, I think that he should be nominated as someone who helps our community.”

Evy, Milton Forum
“Melinda Young has been working on our town ski and ride club for not quite 30 years and gives her time to do that and works on the school board helping kids and adults in Milton for a lot of years also. She is really kind and she works a lot and hard.  I think she helps me be a good citizen and I hope she wins a gift card.”

Ivy, Winooski Forum
“I nominate Ms. Katelyn because she is always helping people out, especially kids. She helps people do stuff and helps them swim. She is a very kind person and fun to play with. She always lets kids play at her house and gives us good ideas of things we can do. I feel calm when I’m around her.”

Charlotte, Mad River Valley Forum
“I choose my friend, Sylvia Lehnhoff. Not everybody might know her but I have the pleasure and honor of knowing such an amazing and funny person. Many people might pick firefighters and volunteers, which I appreciate too, but I feel like more kids need to be appreciated for what they do considering their age. Firstly, Sylvia Lehnhoff helps with dance camp. I’m sure she’s helped many kids grow at dance camp since she’s such an amazing dancer. I know that she helps support raffles such as the Every Day in May (EDIM) which supports the Fayston Elementary School for funds towards the school. She’s been to so many raffles and fits raffle selling times as many in her complex schedule as she can. Sylvia is also very funny, whenever I’m having a bad day or am down we’re always bike riding or hanging out together. She’s super funny, her sense of humor brightens my day and I don’t know where I’d be without her. Sylvia always jokes around and makes sure that I’m okay if I look like I’ve had a bad day. She’s a good citizen whether that’s helping kids learn new things, selling raffles for all kinds of stuff, and being a kind, funny, and helpful person. She is kind to everyone and honestly I’m glad. I’ve had an amazing friend like her.”

Russell, Johnson Forum
“Lois Frey is very kind, helpful, and she came up a lot this summer in helping and doing stuff. She is the chair of the Conservation Commission for Johnson. She is also a member of the Johnson Historical Society, and she runs their booth every week during Tuesday Night Live where they sell donated pies and hot dogs. She knows about the oldest buildings in town, and she’s always helping when we need it. Thank you Lois!”

Ollie, New North End Forum, Burlington
“Sue Schein is an amazing person. Sue travels to Vietnam and Egypt often to help young kids. She doesn’t just help people in other countries, she helps all her neighbors. Sue grows a garden in her front yard and she gives it all away. She filled up a picnic basket of veggies and left it on our porch. Sue is the best. She is amazing and we love Sue!”

Zachary, Richmond Forum
“I nominate my sister Livy, because she drives me places, and occasionally watches me and my brother if my parents have to go somewhere. Not only does she help me and my family, she also helps the community by working at our local school. She always has a smile on her face, a positive attitude, and is willing to help people around her.”

Sam, Richmond Forum
“I nominate my Brother, Zachary. He often picks up trash and helps kids at his school. He likes to help out in the community. He is a Boy Scout. And even if he can’t help, he always offers to.”

Norwich Forum
“I would like to nominate my 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Jasmine, as a good citizen as a part of the Vermont Good Citizen challenge. She is a good citizen because she posed as a wonderful long-term substitute teacher for the absence of my first teacher, Ms. Walker. She helps our community by helping students learn and always knowing that the next subjects will be exciting and fun, which lets them look forward to going to school.”

Adelle, Norwich Forum
“My teacher, Ms. Anmari, is a good citizen. She is a good citizen because she takes care of kids and helps them learn.”

Oliver, Charlotte Forum
“I’m nominating Nicandra Galper as a good citizen as part of the Vermont Good Citizen Challenge. Ms. Galper is the handwork teacher at my school. She is a volunteer for many community related things, such as the Vermont Shape Note Group, the Vermont Old Cemetery Association, Hinesburgh trails committee. and the Lewis Creek Association which takes water samples to monitor the bacteria in lakes and river. Ms. Galper also finds ways to repurpose, or find uses for lots of things. She has a bowl for scrap metal outside her classroom door and all of the yarn she knits, crochets, and teaches with is dyed from flowers in her garden. A good citizen is someone who cares not just about the people, but also the earth around them.”

Issabelle, Enosburgh Forum
“I am nominating Miss Valerie Clark, from the Sheldon library because of all the work she has done and will do for everyone. Such as organizing fun and exciting programs for the kids and the annual Sheldon craft fair that benifits the Sheldon school. Miss Valerie is also very kind to me when I go to the library. And I think she is one of the best  librarians in Vermont!”

Nello, South Burlington Central Forum 
“I would like to nominate my librarian named Natacha. I dont know where to start because she does a lot. She always helps me find books, always has new recommendations and helps so much.  She is always so kind. Thanks”

The following nominations came from a 5th grade class at Champlain Elementary School in Burlington:

Khai, South End Forum, Burlington
“I am nominating Buddy Singh. He does many things for our community. For example, he is a soccer coach. He is also a city councilor and he helps our city be as great as it can get. He also teaches 5th grade classes about his job and is an overall great guy.”

Konnor, South End Forum, Burlington
“I nominate Doug Woods because he is a special educator at Champlain school, he’s really patient and helps kids out when they’re struggling. He is also funny and knows how to make people laugh when they’re in a bad mood.”   

Kristian, South End Forum, Burlington
“I want to nominate James Keats Overman-Smith. Because whenever there is a rally he wants to go. Also he has done 2 teacher assistant programs and has done a lot of Very Merry Theater shows. And then he has been doing work for at least one year at the UU church and still is. And this is why James Keats Overman-Smith should be nominated.”

Abdi, South End Forum, Burlington
“I am nominating Kuba Thelemarck. I am nominating him because he is a great person and always helps around the class. Also he is in the yes program also known as the teacher helper program. He also said that when he grows up he wants to be a teacher. He has a really good personality and a good sense of humor.”  

Aviv, South End Forum, Burlington
“I would like to nominate Kuba Thelemarck for a good citizen. Kuba has worked in are classroom for two weeks as part of the BHS YES program. He also works at Very Merry as a teacher to help them put on plays but he has also been in a number of plays. He is kind, funny, caring and an amazing actor. He is going to UVM for college where he will major in education for kids. He has been an amazing teacher assistant helping us with anything we need and most importantly playing Very Merry games with us at recess. He works hard and he contributes to the community by doing summer camps and doing the YES program. That is why I believe Kuba Thelemark should be a good citizen.” 

Brynn, South End Forum, Burlington
“I think Kuba Thelemarck is a good citizen, because he volunteers in our classroom to help us learn and be a teacher’s assistant, as part of the BHS YES program. He also works for Very Merry Theatre teaching kids about acting and putting on plays, which helps them to be more active. He also helps run summer camps. He is kind, caring, funny and friendly. He was with us for two weeks and will be going into college next year and we are very excited for him but we will miss him. He has really helped us out with anything we need. He helped us learn and grow. That’s why I believe Kuba is a good citizen!”

Christina, South End Forum, Burlington
“I want to nominate Kuba Thelemark. Because he is a really good citizen and helps a lot. Not only as a helper but a really good person outside of school. And he stands in what he believes in. Another thing is he is really a kind person and if you get to know him you will love him.”

Liza, South End Forum, Burlington
“I would like to nominate Kuba Thelemarck as an important citizen in my community. I would like to nominate Kuba because he makes tons of people happier by helping out in a classroom and putting on plays that anyone can enjoy. Kuba has been in very merry theatre where he does what he loves, by putting on plays, and that also allows everyone to enjoy the play because he is such a good actor. And back to the helping around the classroom, he did that instead of going on a trip or flying airplanes, all of that is part of the YES program. That stands for Year End Studies, which is where you can do all these fun things, and Kuba out of the goodness of his heart chose to help teach because he loves it. And that is just awesome! So I Nominate Kuba Thelemarck!”

Emily, South End Forum, Burlington
“I am nominating Kuba Thelemarck for the good citizen challenge because he has been helping out in our classroom and is also here because of the BHS Y.E.S program and is volunteering to help us and our teacher and always helping out. He helps in our community by helping our teacher and also helps in Very Merry and teaches us about things. Also he is lighthearted and he cares and is always in a good mood so I hope he wins the good citizen challenge.”  

Greta, South End Forum, Burlington
“I want to nominate Kuba Thelemack. Kuba was in our classroom for the last two weeks of school with the YES program. He is a good citizen because he always helps out and is so good at being kind to all of us. He also does a lot of Very Merry theater camps and is also always very kind there, he makes those camps so much fun. That’s why I nominated Kuba Thelemark as a good citizen.” 

Idris, South End Forum, Burlington
“I would love to nominate Kuba Thelemark. I want to nominate Kuba because he is kind, helpful, funny and smart. He also works at the very merry theater and helps out kids who want to do plays there. He is super kind and he is always willing to help. Also he works in the yes program which is going to a class for the last two weeks of school and helps out. That is why I would want to nominate Kuba Thelemark.” 

Isaak, South End Forum, Burlington
“I am nominating Kuba Thelemarck for the good citizen challenge. I’m nominating him because of the BHS’ Y.E.S. program. He has been helping our teacher and everyone likes him already if they didn’t know him before from Very Merry. He is always lighthearted and in a good mood.”

Jasmine, South End Forum, Burlington
“I nominate Kuba Thelemarck. He is a student helper and a Senior and he is really helpful for the classroom and he is always including everyone.  And he is in the YES program  its stands for year end studies.  And he is always helping people who need it. Kuba is always teaching us games outside that we didn’t know before. He is kind and funny. He also works at Very Merry Theater and he is patient and he is very kind when you talk to him. And he is very tall. He is 6 feet 2.  That’s my reason why I nominated him.”

Margot, South End Forum, Burlington
“I am nominating Kuba Thelemarck because he is pretty much famous in my community. From teaching at Very Mary Theater to volunteering at schools, Kuba is always helping out in our community.Throughout the past few weeks Kuba has been participating in the Burlington High School YES program. In the YES program students come to schools to be a “teacher helper” for a couple of weeks. For the YES program Kuba was put in my classroom and let me tell ya’ he was very helpful. All that to say, Kuba is a very good citizen in my community.”

Michael, South End Forum, Burlington
“I am nominating Kuba Thelemarak. One thing that they have done is helping out in the class. Another is being in Very Merry Theatre helping to direct and choreograph. He can always solve a problem. He is smart, charismatic, generous and kind. He has done so much for the community and he deserves a reward.”  

Nash, South End Forum, Burlington
“I would love to nominate Kuba thelemarck. He could be going fishing or something else like that but he is helping kids with writing, reading and math. He also helps out with plays. He is smart, academic and kind. He helps people every day and that is the amazing helper Kuba should win!”

Penelope, South End Forum, Burlington
“One person that I would nominate for a good citizen is Kuba Thelemarck. He helped in our classroom for two weeks. He is really helpful and nice and fun. I think that he is a good citizen because of that. He is in our classroom because of the BHS YES program. He is very helpful. And he does other things too. He is really helpful and nice.”

Daisy, South End Forum, Burlington
“I am nominating Kuba Thelemarck, a senior at BHS. Kuba helps out in our classroom. He is participating in a program called the YES program, where he becomes a teachers helper. He is an actor at Very Merry Theater, and he wants to be a teacher when he grows up. Kuba is also very nice and funny.

River, South End Forum, Burlington
“The person I want to nominate in my city is Kuba Thelemarck. I want to nominate Kuba Thelemarck because he has helped many people in many ways. One example are the kids at Very Merry Theater. Kuba Thelemarck helps kids like me learn how to be a good actor like him. Kuba Thelemarck is also here with me and my classmates on the year end studies A.K.A. the YES program at BHS high school. When Kuba Thelemarck is older would like to be a teacher and he is really funny and kind.”

Rumano, South End Forum, Burlington
“I nominate Kuba Thelemarck. I nominate him because he helps our community. He helps our community by helping around Very Merry and helping our class room in the year end studies program. For example, he helps me with math. Also he helps me when I’m stuck. That’s why I think Kuba is a Good Citizen.” 

Sara Jane, South End Forum, Burlington
“One person that I think has helped the community and has been a good citizen is Kuba Thelemarck. One thing that he has helped with is being a teacher and he has helped kids learn new things and has made them laugh a lot. He is leaving today and we are all going to miss him. Outside of being in our class all the time he also does plays at Very Merry Theater. He has done so much stuff and taught kids so many things.”

In Awe of the Solar Eclipse

Jean from Cambridge wrote a lovely encapsulation on Front Porch Forum about Monday’s eclipse, “I think my favorite part (of too many to count!) was: no matter one’s race, creed, gender, political persuasion, or anything else, it was something we all came together on, in our shared sense of wonder and awe.”

Thank you so much to the neighbors, businesses, and town officials who shared their plans leading up to April 8. To date, Front Porch Forum members posted 1,437 eclipse-oriented messages, 230 calendar items, 47 announcements about where to recycle eclipse glasses, and dozens of heartfelt accolades to event planners (Food trucks! Bagpipes! Telescopes! School bands!). 

Vermont showed its best self to each other and those from out of town. And, as we re-settle back into our routines, we wanted to share an important sentiment from Carissa in Enosburg Falls who wrote, “In the coming days there will be folks visiting our town that will never see the true value of what it is to be here. They will watch the eclipse and leave, hopefully with a sense of awe, but I cannot help feeling heavy-hearted that they may not truly understand the real uniqueness of where they are… That is ok, because we do. Where else can you have an atmosphere of such communal authenticity with such a self-defined unique definition of what it is to be abundant?”

Sourdough Starting Fresh Connections

Neighbors are expressing gratitude on Front Porch Forum this month! From folks providing secret snow removal to dropping off mis-delivered packages, community members are really stepping up for each other. This FPF member reached out to their community as they wanted to try their hand at some bread baking:

“I got more than 15 offers for sourdough and ended up connecting with a neighbor I hadn’t yet met! Thank you everyone for the generous offers. Making my first loaf next weekend!”
• Madeline, Cornwall Forum

Random Neighbor and Home Movie of Mom’s Sweet 16

Front Porch Forum is full of wonderful stories of neighbors helping neighbors, sometimes in surprising ways. Here’s a note of appreciation from FPF member Sheryl to her Montpelier Forum last week…

A kind, patient someone who saw my FPF posting walked me through converting DVDs of old home movies on my PC. It took some doing, but the videos are now successfully on YouTube, and I can share them with my family! Never could I have imagined a connection between a Montpelier community member and my mom’s 16th birthday party. Wondrous!

From the Mouths of Babes

Front Porch Forum aims to be a platform where people from all different stages of life can express themselves and share their thoughts with members of the community, but it’s not often that we hear from our youngest neighbors. We loved seeing this recent post from Vanessa of Essex:

“My kiddo lost her lamb stuffy the other day. Today we discovered it on the fire hydrant on the corner of sage cir and hickory lane. She wanted me to send a note out to our community to say thank you to whoever found her lamb and placed it where we could find it!”

Thank you for sharing, Vanessa. We’re so glad your little girl was reunited with her lamb!