Category Archives: Knight Foundation
Feline disagreements and civil discourse in Burlington’s New North End
“I thought it was great that people could discuss their views in an open and not hostile forum. Life is not always harmonious, but open discussion is a good way to know how others feel, and, if we are truly open minded, we may even change our own view. If not, at least you can see their side and appreciate our differences. Thanks to all who have read the ongoing cat diaries and have at least thought about other view points.”
• Mark, Burlington New North End Front Porch Forum
Local economic development tool used in Vermont
“Thanks for all you do – Front Porch Forum has been terrific in helping us reach our citizens with our business and economic development messages.”
• Chairman of a local economic development commission in Vermont
How to reach a new segment of Vermonters
“We have used Front Porch Forum to reach beyond our traditional audience on a few occasions and I have been excited that people we’ve never heard from before have started contacting us after our FPF ads started running.”
Cow wars, confederate flags, and new businesses in Jericho
“I just have to comment about our FPF. Civil, helpful, educational, interesting, fun, and useful. Cow wars, confederate flags, and new businesses. Town problems and lost cats. The other day, I needed a log splitter. Immediately I got an offer, and when the splitter had a problem, the owner actually spent her own time to split my wood AND deliver it!!! Who thought up the Front Porch Forum? Who actually believed it could work? What a place to live.”
• Jack, Jericho Front Porch Forum
Public Outreach 101 in Vermont…
“I sat in a line of traffic on the south end of the bridge in Vergennes for 45 minutes this morning because they were paving Main Street. If before the construction started there had been a traffic sign or it had been posted here on FPF… I would have taken another way around Vergennes… I drive to Burlington many times a week and I never saw a sign. I look at FPF daily. I didn’t see a posting for it.”
• Laurie, Vergennes FPF
“To everyone affected by the paving of Main Street this week, please be understanding and patient. Business owners received a letter from the city notifying them of the project. The decision to not use FPF was a mistake and for that I apologize. This project was long overdue and the scheduling came together quickly. Please do your best to avoid the bottlenecks and keep patronizing your local businesses. I assure you, everyone will be proud of the finished product.”
• Bill Benton, Mayor, City of Vergennes
How did this Vermonter find a buyer for his classic Jag in the Bahamas?
From Brian on the Waterbury FPF…
I sold my classic Jaguar! The woman who bought it for her husband has a place in Stowe but read my series of postings at their other home in Nassau, The Bahamas!
I advertised the car in the Burlington Free Press, Craigslist and Hemmings Motor News… Response : nothing.
I must have had a dozen on Front Porch Forum.
Everything is awesome… when you’re on FPF!
“Thanks to Front Porch Forum, we have a great place to live while we build on our land, new worms to restart our vermicomposting, several plant starts for a mini garden, a wood stove and wood to go with it, someone to mow our lawn, pallets, metal roofing and most importantly, lots of new people to call friends. We also have our kids signed up for swimming lessons at Curtis Pond and spent a great evening today at the community singalong at the Four Corners Schoolhouse. We feel so at home already and are excited to be part of such a vibrant community! Thanks to all!”
• Becca, Calais FPF
“Stolen” Montpelier pie taken in error returned
“I think it is always good to share good news. A friend told me that the pie that was thought stolen from Court Street was taken in error by a teacher who was gathering goods for disadvantaged students from a free pile on the same porch! Once the teacher read Front Porch Forum, the pie was returned untouched accompanied by a donation for the bottle drive!”
• Skye, Montpelier FPF
Local sources of good news / bad news
Organic Connections just published a piece about FPF, closing with this…
As another member recently recounted, “I read the local newspaper and I read my Front Porch Forum. In the paper the definition of news is often something bad that’s happened an automobile accident, crime, etc. On Front Porch Forum it feels like most of the content is positive and helpful. I read the local paper and I feel kind of worn out. I read Front Porch Forum and I feel uplifted because it’s people saying thank you and helping each other out.”
Woodstock Front Porch Forum a hit
“Last week I posted 3 items on FPF and sold two of the three within a couple of days to very nice neighbors who I had not previously met… FPF truly simulates a ‘neighborhood’ as other venues do not.”
• Diana, Woodstock Front Porch Forum
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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