Category Archives: Stories
One Vermont bookstore blessing…
#BTV #VT – From Josie Leavitt of Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne… originally posted on the ShelfTalker blog:
I am blessed to live in Vermont for many reasons, but as a bookstore owner, one of them is access to an amazingly responsive free [service] called Front Porch Forum. FPF is an internet-based “regional network of online neighborhood forums.” It connects people with their neighbors.
It’s so simple, it’s brilliant. Make it easy for neighbors to talk to each other and they talk. You can only join the forum for your town, and this is great because then I’m reading about my town. I’ve gotten to know my neighbors from this. I’ve posted about a swarm of bees in my tree and what to do about them, asked for mechanic recommendations, and more importantly, used FPF as way to talk about the bookstore to people who live close enough to care.
This kind of targeted discussion is so beneficial to the bookstore. We can announce events, book talks, parties, etc. to just about every household in five towns because everyone on staff is a member of their neighborhood forum… There is something about the friendly nature of this type of free-ranging discussion with your neighbors that makes the FPF one of the [things] everyone reads daily. You can follow the saga of the missing Malamutes from the frantic posting that the dogs were lost on the coldest night of the year to the triumphant “they’re home!” posting three days later.
All of our events get posted to the forum and it generates a lot of attendance at events. The nature of the forum works best for spontaneous folks who only need three days notice to come to an event. What’s so great is the wide range of people who read the forum. Folks who’ve never been to the store will come to events because of a posting and then get on our mailing list to find out about future ones. This is a win-win.
Books, boxes and FPF help Williston neighbors connect
#VT – Janet posted the following on the Williston Front Porch Forum today…
The response to my offer of free packing materials was a bit overwhelming as my first outing on FPF. Apparently lots of people are moving around! I’m sorry I couldn’t respond to all of you personally, but want you to know that the boxes have now found new homes.
An interesting FPF connection story: one woman suggested I take some boxes to the Williston library to help with the transport of books for the July book sale. When I took a load over to the library, the very same neighbor was volunteering at sorting books! We met face-to-face and had a chance to chat and hope to see each other around the village again. Sounds like just what FPF is designed to do!
Local democracy starts with neighbors talking to each other
#VT – Neighbors are using their Waterbury Front Porch Forum to discuss their new municipal civic center. This type of potentially controversial topic often elicits conflicting responses from FPF members.
Member A: “The Waterbury Forum was NOT meant for politics; the newspapers, radio and TV take care of that… Now lets all get back to basics and the purpose of this forum – to help each other NOT preach at each other. I and most of us could care LESS about your opinions. I for one will discontinue use of this forum if it continues.”
Member B: “It’s been great to watch the discussion about our new Municipal Civic Center take hold here on FPF. This is really what Front Porch Forum is all about, the (civil) conversation!… Thanks everyone for weighing in and keep those thoughts coming! We believe in a community where everyone has their say.”
FPF encourages the neighborly exchange of facts, opinions and ideas about local issues. FPF is a great place to introduce this information and increase interest in the topic (since so many people read their FPF). In some cases after the initial discussion, moving off-line to in-person facilitated dialogue is recommended.
UPDATE: Here’s one more perspective shared today…
Member C: “I am in favor of using this forum for information, political or otherwise. This isn’t just a neighborhood Craigslist. There are views in this forum that you just don’t get in the newspaper or the news. Sometimes there are topics that I am not interested in reading about, so I don’t read them. I think FPF is a great thing!”
Happy ending
#VT – Thank you Lisa! Thank you Front Porch Forum! Holly the yellow lab is back home thanks to a kind neighbor and a great communication resource. We’ve never contributed financially to FPF before, but we will now. We are believers 🙂
Pets find their way home via FPF nearly every day in Vermont. The sample above was just posted today by Karen on the Richmond FPF.
Chive blossoms flowing in Hinesburg
#VT – Nancy posted on the Hinesburg Front Porch Forum yesterday…
Making chive vinegar and need chive blossoms. If your chives are flowering and you would like to share, please contact me and I will come cut them. Thanks.
Followed today by…
Thank you to the over twenty people that responded. I have tried to answer everyone, but if I missed you, know that I really appreciated the generous offers. Planning to cut more in the next couple of days. Husband is off buying more vinegar.
Odd requests? No problem…
#BTV #VT – A few months back, my husband posted a request on the Five Sisters Front Porch Forum asking to borrow a skull. We had four offers by morning.
On Friday, I sent in a note asking for someone to adopt a few chickens. Two guys from Hayward took three of the hens today.
Only in Vermont.
Shared by Karen in the South End of Burlington.
Neighbor helping neighbor… but how about debate?
#VT – Most FPF postings are simple items among neighbors… lost dogs, babysitter tips, car break-in reports, free couches and the like. Many people find this very useful. Occasionally, neighbors will dive into a controversial local topic on their FPF and the tone will grow heated. Just as often, people will use their Front Porch Forum for wonderful ends, as demonstrated by this recent Underhill FPF posting from a couple whose house was demolished a few days ago by flash floods…
To all of our family, friends, neighbors, perfect strangers, and fellow community members: We want to take this opportunity to express our sincerest and most heartfelt thanks for the kindness, support, and pure generosity that you have expressed toward our family. From the tireless assistance of the Underhill/Jericho fire department, to the cupcakes, prayers, smiles, maple syrup, and donations provided by all of your caring hearts, we can honestly say that the past five days of picking through wreckage, shoveling muck, and breathing moldy air has been nothing short of amazing. Thanks to you all! May your generosity be returned ten-fold.
So, of those three classes of postings, most people appreciate the (1) neighborly exchange of announcements, tips, transactions, and stuff. And nearly everybody loves (2) a heart-warming tale of neighbor helping neighbor. But some folks are really turned off by (3) neighbors discussing or arguing about hot local topics. Lots of different perspectives out there!
Neighbor stampede in Richmond
#VT – Does FPF get results?
Well, if we ever want to stage a gathering of the entire town, I think I know what we need to do — just tell everyone there are $15 raised beds in a specific location, and they’ll all come running.
I was inundated with inquiries about my raised beds. They were claimed less than 60 seconds after the Front Porch Forum e-newsletter went out, and I continued to receive a steady stream of emails all night. After it passed 30, I was forced to put a filter on my email.
My apologies for not being able to get back to everyone. It was just overwhelming.
Posted by Aaron on the Richmond FPF today following up his “raised beds for sale” posting yesterday.
Enlightening the local electorate…
#VT – The discussion on Front Porch Forum about the upcoming town meeting vote has been enlightening, not only for what’s been said about the issue, but also for the medium in which it’s been said. Being one who likes to think things over, I appreciate having the time to hear and digest different opinions before voting. I also appreciate the fact that more people have spoken up on-line than might have in person.
Submitted by Polly to the New Haven FPF today.
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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