“Hey neighbors! I live in the flats down by River Street and there is enough furniture cast outside to furnish a two-bedroom apartment! Mallett’s Bay corner has like 3 couches… drive a little way past Chick’s on River and you’ve got the abandoned lot with mattresses and tires. Then a little further down is a television that’s been there for weeks. Anyone have any idea why our code enforcement allows our city to look like this? Let’s have a little more pride of place! It’s really quite embarrassing when hosting visitors. Anyone want to organize a clean up? I don’t have a truck, but I just got a tetanus shot so I’m up for it! Maybe the city will reimburse our dump payment? Please contact me and let’s get this crap out of our streets!”
“I am trying to help out a brother and sister in their 70’s who live together in poverty in Morrisville. Their hot water heater just broke and they have no money to get another one. Does anyone happen to be replacing theirs or have one around that still works? I wanted to try to help them out. Thanks!”
“Dear friends – A few days ago, I posted on our 
“We serve humanity through our involvement in community service projects such as volunteering at the Heavenly Food Pantry, co-sponsoring the senior holiday luncheon, bell ringing for the Salvation Army, and serving the community service dinner for Essex High School students.
“Essex Rotarians also serve humanity by volunteering at Club fundraisers, with proceeds supporting our various charitable endeavors, such as scholarships for area students; youth exchange programs; literacy projects; a variety of local, national and international assistance projects; and the Rotary Foundation. Our club strongly supports the End Polio Now campaign, and we hope that 2016 will see the last case of naturally occurring wild poliovirus.
“Please think about joining us. Together, we can make a big difference.“
• Jim, Westford Front Porch Forum
“On behalf of Newport Elks Club#2155. I would like to thank 
“Thank you to the dozen or so neighbors who emailed personal notes of appreciation for my post on last week’s Really Big Thing that happened.
“In our small town of approximately 350 homes, we have identified more than 140 people who have volunteered on at least one local committee. Many individuals serve on multiple committees. It simply astounds us that there is that much commitment to our small community! Please stop by our “Thank You Breakfast” 
I know this election has shaken up a lot of people on both sides of the debate. One thing I see happening more than anything else is an inability for people to communicate and have empathy towards those with different views. It is sad, though luckily for us in Vermont it isn’t nearly as bad as some other places in this country.