Category Archives: Stories
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
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!
Lost dogs happily found!
Lost pet postings get priority treatment from Front Porch Forum staffers
“I am happy to report that all lost dogs are back home. Thank you FPF for pushing the found dog post through and for calling me to see if I had seen it. I am so very grateful. Thank you!”
• Shelly in Huntington
“What great news!! As I read the news I have goose bumps…I prayed Willie would be home by Christmas. The best present of all…..I am so happy for you.” • Jennifer in Middlebury
“Thanks to everyone who helped with the search. Our beautiful golden is under my desk as I write.” • Debby in Middlebury
Read more about how a community came together to find Willie
Tales of the Christmas Spirit
Tis the season to share on Front Porch Forum…..
“The other day a young man arrived with his son and spotted a book he held reverently in his hands as out loud he wished he had some money to put this book on lay-away. Suddenly there was a small voice added to our conversation. His son asked me if one dollar would be enough to hold the book for his father. The father said to the boy, “This is why I love you so much.” And the bookseller agreed to hold the rare book for one dollar down. The youngster reached into his pocket, pulled out 4 quarters, and we sealed the agreement. If this isn’t a spiritual time of year I don’t know what is…..”
“Eleven folks who read my story came forward and wanted to help this family purchase the books on hold. We have a truly generous and thoughtful community and I am proud to be a part of it.”
• Ben at the Country Bookshop in Plainfield
From the outpouring of generosity in this community of book-lovers an idea developed to generate a fund to help other needy families to purchase books. What tales can you share on FPF that can help others?
Saved from a mountain of marshmallows!
A sweet story to share from the conversations on Front Porch Forum:
“My friend pranked me with bags and bags of marshmallows (don’t ask) but now that the hilarity is over, I have about 20 bags of mini marshmallows. I’m thinking they would be great for making an army of snowmen. Or for the worlds largest cup of cocoa. Or an indoor igloo for the kids? Start your own gingerbread housing development? Or maybe you dreamed of jumping into a pile of marshmallows (I don’t judge). Either way, I’m hoping a kind neighbor will save me from diabetes and take them away soon.”
And FPF neighbors responded!
“Holy roller coasters, Batman! Waterbury loves marshmallows! Thank you all who responded–I had an avalanche of interested folks, so I apologize if I didn’t answer you directly. The marshmallows are re-homed, and my pancreas thanks you for saving me from diabetes.” • Zarin in Waterbury
A love note
Good news is always appreciated by FPF members!
“Sorry, but Im not. Front Porch Forum is so great at connecting neighbors and the random Love is so fun to read so I have to share:
We are married and so excited!!!!!” • Megan & Peter in Charlotte
Staying locally connected while traveling
Planning to be out of the state over the holidays or even for the winter? FPF will continue to keep you connected while you’re gone!
“After being gone for more than 4 months, Front Porch Forum has kept me in touch. Found me a ride home from the train station in Waterbury, found me a car, mine died the day I left , and found me a possible roommate for the winter.. So great to have a local place to help all of us. AND I DID IT ALL FROM PORTUGAL AND SCOTLAND !!” • Rich in Fayston
Young people lend a hand to elderly neighbor
Sharing kindnesses on Front Porch Forum between neighbors!
“Recently, I had a wonderful experience. In the first quarter of my eighty-first year, I was out on my front lawn picking up debris left by the big wind. Two young people on bikes stopped wondering if I needed any help cleaning up. I was stunned. I questioned them and they both said they just wanted to help. They worked steadily and with good cheer. It took the three of us just under an hour to complete a task I estimated at three hours or more. If anyone on FPF knows the family, please let their parents know they should be very proud of these two great young people.” • Carl in Essex Junction
And, in response:
“Thank you so much for the beautiful note, what a lovely surprise. We are so happy to live in a community that appreciates the same values that we do! We are very proud of our kids and made sure to tell them!” • Travis and Crystal
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
Post Categories
- Uncategorized
- PDF2009
- Calendar
- Northeast Kingdom
- podcast
- Big Tech
- Peer Rental
- Events
- Localization
- PDF2007
- Web Traffic
- Google AdSense
- Pay It Forward
- Elections
- berkmansunlight
- Maps
- Video
- Upstate New York
- Coupons
- Wildlife
- Mobile
- Viral Marketing
- Raffle
- Donations
- Crisis Response
- Best of FPF
- Lost & Found
- Gratitude
- Real Estate
- College Students
- Social Responsibility
- Orton Family Foundation
- Start ups
- Make It Your Own Awards
- Online Civility
- Clay Shirky
- Newspapers
- How To Use FPF
- Humor
- Online Classified Ads
- Peer Reviews
- Politics
- Community Management
- Economic Development
- Local Reviews
- Case Foundation
- Borrow and Lend
- Neighborhood Watch
- Good Government
- Small Business Advertising
- Citizen Journalism
- e-Vermont
- Democracy
- Local Search
- Knight Foundation
- Burlington
- MacArthur Fellows
- Civic Engagement
- Social Media
- social capital
- Social Networking
- Vermont
- Neighborhood
- Community Building
- Local Online
- Front Porch Forum