Category Archives: Lost & Found
Pet Reunited With Owner 3 Months Later
A Johnson FPF member, Sheila, was able to locate a neighbor who was flooded out of their home to let them know their pet cat was alive and safe. Read on…
Trying to Locate an Individual Displaced by the Flood • “I am desperately trying to locate/contact a young man named Ken [last name withheld for privacy]. He was relocated following the flooding of his mobile home in Johnson in July. If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact me by email or call me.”
My Search Was Successful! • “After several hours on the phone, posting on social media, and personally visiting past employment sites; one post on FPF was all it took! So, a huge “Thank you!” to FPF and those members who so kindly shared information that allowed me to connect with Ken. With your help, I was able to let him know that his pet is still alive and awaiting his return. Hopefully, he will soon be back in a home of his own, where Angel can join him. ❤️ “
Who Ya Gonna Call?
Discussions among neighbors are a life line to building social capital in communities. Members are turning to their neighbors on Front Porch Forum to solve everyday problems. Here are some real conversations happening right now on FPF:
Where to do Trick-or-Treating?
- “Hello fellow FPF peeps. Last year, Middlebury hosted trick or treating the Saturday or Sunday before Halloween. Does anyone know anything and if it is happening this year?”
- “October is finally here and our family is extremely excited for Halloween but we are new to the area. We were wondering does anyone know any neighborhoods in St. Johnbury or Woodville that still does Trick or Treating?”
What to do about Jumping Worms?
- “To my fellow gardeners. I have been seeing Asian jumping worms at several of my jobs. You can learn more about them online. Be very careful sharing plants with others.”
- “In doing Fall chores in vegetable and flower gardens I have discovered lots of these new worms – lots. Not sure what to do, if anything, about this situation. Anyone have thoughts?”
Lost Items Found
- “Thanks to Front Porch Forum and the many people walking on cotton brook road I got my car key back. Thank you all! I love this Town!”
- “Thanks to wonderful neighbors and FPF my items were recovered from some bushes elsewhere in the neighborhood. I’m so very grateful! Lock your doors!”
Anyone driving to…?
- “Is anyone available to provide safe transportation to and from Bradley Airport the week of Thanksgiving?”
- “There was a very nice young man who stopped in today at the Town Hall, who needs a ride to Brownington… I told him our little town has amazing folks, and I’m sure some one would reach out to him and help him out!“
Recommendations for Bats in the Wall?
- “Just in time for Halloween it sounds like some bats have found a way to get into our walls. We tried contacting a company listed on google and they told us it would be a month just to look at the issue. I’d prefer to not have bats pooping in my wall for over a month, but wasn’t sure if this was the normal turnaround for pest removal. Thanks!”
- “We are repainting our house and found there are bats in the roof of our home… We are looking for someone who can help us safely get rid of the bats without hurting them or our home. I’d love recommendations or anyone who has experience doing this themselves as well.”
Responses come back straight to the Forum or emailed directly to members. What could you use some help with today? Post to your FPF to see if neighbors can help with a solution!
Dog runs away. Dog comes home!
FPF helps many get the word out about run away pets. We really want those pets to make it home! See how this story in Monkton, VT unfolds…
- “A small white brown dog was seen about 11:15 on Mountain Rd in Monkton near the steep rise half way down. It was trailing what appeared a leash. It disappeared rather quickly.”
- “Foster dog escaped about 11. Smallish 6 mo. white and brown with orange leash. Dogs name is Rutger. He’s very timid.”
- “The escape artist has been found safe and sound! Many thanks to Moe from Homeward Bound and next door neighbor dog, Lucy! And thanks to everyone else I called or accosted on the road. And a big thank you to FPF for getting the word out FAST!”
Neighborly Needs and Quandaries
Front Porch Forum staff work seven days a week to review the flow of postings submitted by members across Vermont. While challenging content appears occasionally, the vast majority of submissions are simple exchanges among neighbors. And many times each day we see gems that leave a smile. Here’s what yesterday’s shift looked like to one FPF staffer…
“Lost pets and wallets reunited with owners, snow shoveling and mud season angels, and tires for sale are all commonplace on FPF. We’re used to that. Then, you come across these really interesting postings… Like today, I saw ones about bat sightings as a sign of spring, someone trying to figure out what to do with a WWII uniform, and a story about losing a peacock (which — no joke — also happened to a different member last week!). I’m constantly surprised at what’s going on out there.”
When you give folks a place to communicate their neighborly needs and quandaries, they can really deliver!
Bad Robot. Great Neighbors!
FPF has helped people find their cats, dogs, keys, wallets, and even livestock, but this is a new one. Carol in Burlington writes…
- “Our little iRobot vacuum cleaner was cleaning off our porch and wandered down the ramp and perhaps down the driveway. It’s a robot vacuum cleaner about 3-4 inches tall and about 12-14 inch diameter. It is grey and black. Now he is MIA. If you saw our little friend please let us know.“
and later…
- “Yea, Front Porch Forum is the best! To the person who saw the [post] about our missing vacuum cleaner and showed his friend, who had found it, our previous post – thanks! You both are awesome for returning it to us. Roomba, aka “Creepy,” is now grounded. Bad robot. Great neighbors, however.“
Vermont and Its Pigs
There’s a few great things Vermont is known for… If beer, pigs, and good neighbors aren’t near the top of that list, then we don’t know what is! Members in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom FPFs helped this little pig find its way home.
- “I just saw this pig wandering the highway between Red Barn Brewery and Goodfellas… He seemed bummed.”
- “We have a lost tan and black pig who has settled in at Red Barn Brewing the past day… Email or call with any owner info. Otherwise he seems fine and is hanging around in our beer garden area.“
- “”hanging around the beer garden” – This pig has found his happy place. He may never want to leave. : )“
Stay safe out there piglets!
A Big Shout Out to Local Business
A recent posting to the Williston Forum by FPF member Jeff:
I would like to take a minute to say thank you to Corey and Jake at JC Property Management.
On a recent early Sunday morning, on our way to go to a ski race at Sugarbush, we stopped at a parking lot in Hinesburg to grab something out of the back of our Suburban. Unknown to me, one of our bags fell out of the back. When we got to Sugarbush, we discovered the bag was missing.
After getting home and not finding the bag, we realized what had happened. After driving back to check the parking lot, we called the Police hoping someone turned it in. We also posted on Front Porch Forum. That was the best thing we did.
About a week later I received a call from Kory. He and his partner had found the bag while plowing that snowy morning. He had been searching for the owner. But, there was no identification tags on the bag. He was told by a friend to look on FPF.
Thankfully, he did. We were reunited with the bag. We had offered a reward for the safe return of the bag. Kory would not take the reward. He was just doing a good deed.
I want to thank Kory and the guys at JC Property Management. They are really good, honest guys. If you need work done at your property, I highly recommend giving them a call.
Strange but true FPF tales
We’re often pleasantly surprised by the stories, fun and witty moments found on Front Porch Forum. Here’s one to bring a smile to your Monday:
“Did you drop a cheese ball on Berlin St. Friday afternoon? I saw it rolling down the sidewalk too late to get your attention. We have it safe in the fridge, hopefully it wasn’t for tonight’s dinner!” • Ken in Montpelier
“If it weren’t for Front Porch Forum would we even know about the runaway mozzarella ball rolling down Berlin Street, rescued by kind strangers? Good to know these oddball random acts of kindness.” • Kristin in Montpelier
Sharing Hope and Gratitude
It’s easier to remember we’re all in this together when we experience acts of kindness that inspire hope. Check out these Front Porch Forum postings for a reminder that we have some pretty great neighbors out there! We’re all in this together.
“Thank you to the kind stranger who returned my wallet to my home address today, everything fully intact. I lost it during a particularly discouraging week, and it was incredibly uplifting to find it in my mailbox today. Beyond the relief of not having to replace all of my IDs and cards, it is wonderful to be reminded that there are good people in this community doing the right thing. There wasn’t a note, so if you who returned it happens upon this post, please reach out and let me know– I would love the opportunity to thank you directly and return your kindness.” • Olivia in Burlington
“We are now 8 months into this pandemic, and it has been a very strange and stressful time. Are you OK? Are your neighbors OK? Many folks are struggling with things like loneliness and depression. Many have disabilities making routine tasks difficult. Some of us are facing food insecurity or struggling with addiction. Please remember to check in with your neighbors who may need help, and if you need help yourself, please reach out and feel the love this community has for you. Let me know if I can help or put you in touch with someone who can.” • Mark in Castleton
“About 2 weeks ago there was a posting for a man’s wedding ring that was found at Waterbury Reservoir. I’m happy to report that ring is now back on my nephew’s finger. To truly appreciate this story I have to share that the ring was lost at Waterbury Reservoir 2 YEARS AGO! We will never know what adventures that ring went on swimming around in that huge body of water. Thank you to the people who found it and posted it. Thank you to FPF for providing the most amazing service to our community. Never give up hope.” • Lorraine in Cambridge
“Thank you to everyone who emailed me in support of my post about the signs the other day. You are all so kind to take the time to extend your warm words.
It got me thinking though about how 2020 has been a dumpster fire of epic proportions A year that has left us with so many emotional jagged edges it’s no wonder we react without thinking, tear into friends and strangers and generally not being our best selves. We all know we can do better, we just seem to not have much bandwidth left for that.
So I would like to propose a community FPF challenge. It’s an easy one too. I would like everyone who reads this post to reply with a story of something great that happened to them today or this week. It doesn’t have to be big, or life changing or deep, in fact something simple and sweet is best. The idea is to fill up our hearts with all the ways we are a fantastic community, surrounded with great neighbors and friends and that we are truly lucky even when we forget that. Our “wealth” is all around us, we just need to remember that more often than not.
I hope you will take 60 seconds to join me and hit reply all with your own story of gratitude. Thanks, Beth
I will start.
I want to acknowledge and thank the man who I see walking around town with his garbage grabbing stick and orange bag picking up other people’s trash nearly everyday. You sir are AWESOME. Thank you so much for making our roads cleaner and more beautiful for everyone to enjoy. Hometown Hero in my book. Thank you so much.” • Elizabeth in Stowe
Spread your message or story of hope to your neighbors on FPF.
Happily home thanks to FPF!
Beloved pets find their way home on FPF!
“Lost dog Maisy has come home! Thanks to everyone who reported sightings and inquired about her. I sure do appreciate our community and Front Porch Forum!” • Cindy in Barre
“I am absolutely amazed by the kindness and compassion of our neighborhoods. Twice now FPF has gotten the word out and you all took the time to post sightings, take care of and help our cat Honi get back home.” • Kim in Colchester
“Thank you to all who played a part in getting Teeko home safe and sound, but especially to Front Porch Forum for providing this format. I am forever grateful.” • Winnie in Middletown Springs
“7 year old and her beloved kitty have been reunited! Always amazing resource FPF!! It takes a village, so proud and appreciative of ours.” • Nancy in Shelburne
“Because two residents cared enough about a stray cat and posted their sightings on FPF, we have our beloved cat, Star, back home following a three week adventure.” • Eric in Morristown
“Many thanks to all the folks who helped amazingly resilient Naddy the Doberman to get home. What a helpful resource FPF is and how great it is to have such responsive and caring neighbors!” • Lee in Underhill
“Thank you so much to the fine people whom sighted, reported on, and protected my very lost, cold, and scared dog last night. I am so grateful to Front Porch Forum and to dog lovers everywhere who look out for our beloved pets and help get them home.” • Susan in Charlotte
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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