This could only happen in Vermont. The Bonsai stolen from the Fair has been returned. Apparently all the publicity about how difficult it would be to care for the tree paid off. It was found on an office desk at the Flynn, and it looked like the wiring had been loosened, possibly as attempted removal from the pot had been attempted, without knowledge of how to actually do it. A little the worse for wear, it has been returned to its owner. Would that solving bigger crimes would be so easy. To the extent that Front Porch Forum postings by all of those who spread the word contributed to the return, many thanks from the owner and the members of the Green Mountain Bonsai Society.
Category Archives: Neighborhood Watch
Missing tent found thanks to neighbors
Posted on Monday, September 28, 2015 by Michael • No comments yet
“Thanks to a tip from FPF member the missing tent has been found! And thanks to Front Porch Forum for providing the ability to help each other in so many ways… “
• Sue, Waterbury FPF
Treasured bonsai tree stolen from fair… happy ending
Posted on Sunday, September 13, 2015 by Michael • No comments yet
Dozens of versions of this posting appeared on FPFs across Vermont recently…
On the evening of Sept. 3 in the Bonsai exhibition at Champlain Valley Expo, someone took a cherished juniper bonsai belonging to a member of the Green Mountain Bonsai Society. The tree that was stolen is a miniature juniper. It must live outdoors, except during winter, to be healthy, and requires -40 degree cold-dormancy in the winter to stay alive – a bonsai like this is NOT a house plant. The club is asking PLEASE — whoever took this tree — find a way to return it to the owner [who is heartbroken]. If you have any knowledge about this tree, please contact us.
Followed by a gratifying…
East Montpelier thieves pick apple tree clean… neighbors respond
Posted on Friday, September 4, 2015 by Michael • No comments yet
“If you have apple trees, beware. Someone picked and stole every apple from our one tree sometime in the last couple of days. How low can a person get?”
• Edward, East Montpelier FPF
Then two days later…
“Since my report of the theft of the apples from my tree, I have been most grateful for the outpouring of response and offers of apples from the good folks in East Montpelier. Many thanks to all — and to Front Porch Forum, a remarkable neighborhood service.”
• Edward, East Montpelier FPF
Menagerie of stray animals marches across Vermont
Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 by Michael • No comments yet
A sample from the past 24 hours on Front Porch Forum…
“Hi, just saw 5 HORSES meandering up Ripton Rd near Mill Road (by the river) headed toward Grimes rd. Probably past Grimes road by now. This was just a moment ago about 5pm on Tue.”
• Eli, Lincoln FPF
“6:50am Wednesday. Loose DOG on Cochran Road heading toward town. Looked like maybe a German Shepard mix, red collar. Tried to call her/him over to check for a phone number on the tags, but the dog kept trotting.”
• Brie, Richmond FPF
“Hi. One of my Shetland Ram LAMBS has gone a ram-bling. I thought he was in my lower pasture, but alas, no. He is most definitely NOT dangerous… he’s shy and small (about the size of a dalmatian but puffy) and sort of Champagne colored. He’s a sucker for grain, though. His name is Dodger (how ESPish). Thanks.”
• Libby, Charlotte FPF
“Seeking missing girl BUNNY. We put our boy bunny in the cage because it looked like Daisy was pregnant. (boy bunnies kill the babies) But she has been missing for 3 or 4 days. Please let me know if you see a spotted white and gray bunny. Thanks.”
• Cassy, FPF in Burlington’s South End
“Our gray and white 2yo male KITTY has been missing for a week. He is a smaller cat – about 8 pounds. He has white fur all around his nose except for one dark circle of gray freckled fur. He is mostly gray with a white belly and paws. Please call if you have seen him.”
• Sarah, Rural Essex FPF
“Thank you to our Front Porch Forum, Felicia, and Katlynn. Our sweet DUCK was well taken care of and is home safe!! Thanks to all who showed support and help looking.”
• Nicole, Saint Johnsbury Area FPF
Thankfully, neighbors tend to be very responsive and helpful in these cases.
How to wrap a canoe around a tree…
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2015 by Michael • No comments yet
Shared by Jonathan on the Huntington Front Porch Forum…
Last evening my dog Monty and I decided to float down the Huntington River in our canoe, starting at Shaker Mountain Road. Not very far down river, just past the town buildings in the center, there is a large land slide that has left a few large trees down across the river.
After some inspection (not enough) I made the poor choice of trying to paddle the small rapid and make it under a large maple tree. Bad idea.
A large branch was just under the surface of the water and only became visible after it was too late. We were not going to make it under the tree without getting hung up so me and the dog bailed into the water and managed to swim to the shoreline.
I watched in disbelief as my canoe filled with water and bent itself in half around the branch. That was the end of that canoe’s paddling days. Oh well. Monty and I were fine.
I had two paddles on board, one of which miraculously stayed in the boat and I was able to to retrieve it. The other one, however, was no where to be found. It has my last name, Tomb, engraved on the wide part of the paddle and if anyone happens to come across it I would be thrilled to have it back.
And if you’re planning on paddling the river, maybe consider portaging around that section of river.
My boat is still in the river. I will try to retrieve it as soon as the water level goes down enough.
Happy Summer!
Vermont lost and found: Cat, dog, cows and keys
Posted on Monday, June 8, 2015 by Michael • No comments yet
“Thank you Front Porch Forum!! Apparently there were many Oreo sightings and true to her cat nature she was cozying up to another family up on Shelburne Road! The finder kept a good eye on her and replied as soon as she saw my posting.”
• Ila, Five Sisters neighborhood FPF, Burlington
“The state police caught our missing fluffy black miniature poodle Buddy on I-89 between exits 16 & 17 Thursday along with the help of a resident. I would like to thank everyone involved in helping to find him. Buddy is home in need of a cleaning but otherwise pretty well. Thank you all; Colchester is a great community. I will keep abreast via Front Porch Forum. I never knew it existed before now.”
• Steve, Malletts Bay neighborhood FPF, Colchester
“Seeking missing 4 Jersey yearling heifers. Green ear tags in ears. Missing from Cow Patty and Veitos pastures. If found please call.”
• Dianna, Tinmouth FPF
“The car keys I found in Red Rocks roadway have been claimed by their owner. Yeah FPF!”
• Pam, Oakledge neighborhood FPF, Burlington
And some things don’t need to be lost to be found…
“I just would like to say thank you to all who have given me recommendations for a roofer, plumber and an electrician. FPF rocks!”
• Lalitha, Montpelier FPF
“Stolen” Montpelier pie taken in error returned
Posted on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 by Michael • No comments yet
“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
Threatening IRS phone scam reported in Essex Junction, Vermont
Posted on Thursday, May 21, 2015 by Michael • No comments yet
Recent discussion on Front Porch Forum in Essex Junction…
“Received today a voice mail ,supposedly , from the Crime Investigation Unit of the IRS threatening vague immediate action unless I or my lawyer called them back immediately. I didn’t fall for it. Wrote down phone # from CID & call back #. Wondered if anyone else has received this call. Don’t know who to report this to. Essex PD or State Atty. General? Any ideas?”
• Robert
“Yes, we received a similar call with the person claiming they were from the Treasury Dept (didn’t say IRS specifically). And we’d be in “big trouble” if we didn’t take it seriously and the cops will come to our house shortly (at which we had a good laugh).”
• Eve
“This is a pretty far reaching scam. My parents in Michigan received the same call a couple of months ago. Good job managing the panic reflex. My mom had already given them her SSN before her “something’s not right here” radar went off. Thanks for sharing on the Forum. The more people that hear about it – the less likely their chances of victimizing someone.”
• Jessica
“Yes, other people have been receiving these IRS phone calls. The State Attorney has had warnings in the news alot lately.”
• Robin
Reckless drivers endangering lives… Vermont discussions heating up
Posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 by Michael • No comments yet
The following Front Porch Forum posting sparked a lively local discussion about texting while driving…
“The past few days while entering and leaving Cambridge Elementary School I have witnessed several drivers texting while leaving the school. We all know it is against the law, but more importantly, there are children who are walking and biking to school and “you” are putting their lives at risk. The text you are responding to is not more important than their lives. Pick up and drop off times at CES is a very busy time and drivers need (and have the duty) to be alert. School officials can only do so much, we are all responsible for the safety of every CES child!”
• Sean, Cambridge FPF
Another Vermonter in Plainfield took a more direct tack…
“Speeding on Laird Pond Rd- Please Stop or I Will Throw Rocks at You… A red truck with a cap came barreling down Laird Pond Rd this afternoon right around bus drop off time 3:30 and sped by my son and honked loudly. He was off to the side, he was not in the way. He is a student walking home from school. Lots of children walk this road every day. Speeding on this road at this time, or any time is unacceptable. I’m serious about the rocks.”
• Erin, Marshfield Plainfield FPF
Given recent tragedies on Vermont roads, these conversations are as important as ever. Local FPFs are a good place to raise these concerns and gauge neighbors’ feelings as well.
Sugaring theft in Waterbury brings out the best in neighbors
Posted on Monday, March 23, 2015 by Michael • No comments yet
Steve posted on the Waterbury Front Porch Forum last weeks…
Hello neighbors – Sometime in the past 2 days someone stole 20 sap buckets, covers, and spouts that were out on maple trees on our property along Maple St. Disappointing by any account but when you factor in that this is a family sugaring operation, with all of the tapping done by our 3 year old, 7 year old, along with neighborhood children and friends – all of whom are looking forward to the first boil of the season, it really sours what is otherwise a sweet experience. I’ll also mention that we are planning on hosting 160 Thatcher Brook Primary School students for a sugaring field trip in a couple of weeks.
If by chance you know who may have committed this act, or perhaps the guilty party is reading this themselves, please return what you have taken. Leave them by the road (the same spot where you left 4 buckets by accident is fine) – no questions asked. Let’s support this great Vermont tradition of sugaring, not turn it into sour grapes.
Followed today by…
We would like to thank everyone in the community for all the support shown since posting about stolen sap buckets last week. Although the stolen ones haven’t shown up we’ve been able to recoup our loss through the generosity of the community we live in. Thank you Jen, Tim, Christl, and Michael for your donations!! Let sugaring season go on!
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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