Neighborhood | Ghost of Midnight

Finding civil discourse, compassion, and encouragement

Posted on Monday, October 9, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • Comments are off for this post

Many Front Porch Forum members have expressed their gratitude for having this communication tool to connect with neighbors.

“As I have traveled from our beautiful state, I have realized what a jewel our FPF is whenever we need or want to connect with neighbors. Other people just don’t have this. So many times that FPF has been there when we needed it: There was the time I needed equipment following my mother’s hip operation. My husband and I were able to round out our furnishings after we moved in. I was able to get people engaged in Yoga for the local Food Shelf. I have watched people reunited with beloved pets and have been warned of issues that might impact us. Shared plants and recipes and notification of events nearby…

There has been the occasional drama, but it also has been a place of civil discourse, compassion, and encouragement. I recommend becoming a sustaining member – it is easy and then you won’t forget to give if you are busy during the FPF appeal.
Your neighbor in this great state of ours” • Lynn in St. George

Where to turn when you need help at your home?

Posted on Thursday, October 5, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • Comments are off for this post

Front Porch Forum! From interior decorating to plumber and electrician recommendations, and drying out a wet basement, our neighbors can help.

“Our home has a baby and a dog, and that combination tends to lead to a messy house. Due to our work schedules, it was becoming apparent that we needed help with cleaning! Recommendations came to us through Front Porch Forum, and we couldn’t be happier.“ • Justin in Morristown

“I followed through on a recommendation from FPF and found a terrific interior decorator! Once again, FPF has been a valuable resource for me!”
• Sara in Warren

“Thanks to FPF I found an amazing painting service!” • Rachel in Winooski

“Thank you to all the folks who sent the names of electrical people. I appreciate your help and willingness to share. FPF rocks!” • Denise in Waitsfield

“Thank you all for recommendations on basement people. FIVE people sent me messages … and one called me at work. I appreciate your suggestions!!” • Kia in Waterbury

Recommendations from our neighbors can be so helpful. Post your needs on FPF for quick results!

Front Porch Forum awarded grant to explore social capital in Vermont

Posted on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • Comments are off for this post

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recently awarded a grant to Front Porch Forum to study how Vermonters use FPF to build community.

“When the Foundation approached us to do this work, it was a wonderful surprise and great honor,” said FPF co-founder Michael Wood-Lewis.

A leading national social networking research organization, Network Impact, recently conducted a statewide 20-minute survey of 140,000 FPF members. They garnered 15,000 completed surveys from every corner of Vermont. Results are pending.

Front Porch Forum coming to Cambridge, NY!

Posted on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • 2 comments

Thanks to a local group of supporters, Front Porch Forum is excited to bring our online service that helps neighbors connect and build community to the people of Cambridge, White Creek and Jackson, NY! Learn more about this initiative at an informational meeting tonight at 7PM at Battenkill Books.

Founded in Burlington, VT in 2006, FPF hosts local online forums in all 250 towns in Vermont, plus Argyle, NY. People use the site to find lost dogs, recommend sources of cord wood, organize help for a neighbor who is ill, find a babysitter, discuss local issues, report a break-in, and much more.

More than 140,000 households in FPF’s coverage area use the service to tune into local conversations and news and now the residents of the Cambridge, New York region can as well!

How did Fisher get to be called a cat?

Posted on Thursday, September 21, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • Comments are off for this post

The members of FPF‘s Calais neighborhood have been having lively discussions about this creature found in Vermont’s woods!

Conversation began with this simple post alerting neighbors:
“A fisher cat has returned and has been seen behind my small pond down the hill from the closed road in North Calais.” • Reid

Followed by a flurry of topics related to the “Fisher Cat”:
“”fisher cats” is a common, but incorrect, misnomer. The fisher is a fairly large member of the weasel family, and bears no relationship whatsoever to cats…” • Warner

“I was interested in why they have been mistakenly called cats. Are there physical similarities? Are the sounds similar? Perhaps the use got transferred to large feral cats….Just wondered..” • Mary

“With all the emphasis on “cat”..my question now is — Why fisher…? Do they fish?” • Heather

“My first thought upon seeing yet more posts about fishers was, “Oh, no!” but I found myself laughing out loud…I think I will name the next cat that comes into my life “Fisher” as in “Fisher (the) Cat…” • Craig

Nothing like lively conversation on Front Porch Forum to connect us with our neighbors!

Planning a neighborhood block party?

Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • Comments are off for this post

Turn to your neighbors on Front Porch Forum, like this member did, to get it done!

“Is there any interest in having a casual neighborhood social / block party some time this fall to get to know each other? Willing to do most of the legwork organizing if others are interested. I put together a survey, and hope you’ll take a minute to fill it out and let me know! Feel free to send this to others that may not be on FPF. If there is digital interest, I will post signs around the hood in the near future. Take care!” • Sara in South Burlington

Get to know your neighbors in person and organize your own neighborhood event.

An abundance of canoes and sheetrock

Posted on Monday, September 11, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • Comments are off for this post

An FPF post that launched a thousand canoes….
“Recently I posted a request seeking a canoe to borrow or rent for use in showing to visitors our local ponds and lakes. In response I received offers for enough canoes to float a navy. I am grateful to live in this good and generous community.” • Stephen in Woodbury

Your neighbors have what you need! Ask them on Front Porch Forum, as this neighbor did who was doing renovation work on his home:

“Wow, you wouldn’t believe how much scrap sheetrock there is in Jericho! I had a bunch of responses before the FPF email even went out, and was able to pick up the piece I needed from the first one who responded. Thanks everyone! What did we do before FPF was around??” • Chris in Jericho

Dog hit on I-89

Posted on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • Comments are off for this post

Reasons why our Front Porch Forum members LOVErmont!

“Thank you to all the strangers who took time out of your day to try to help our dog to safety on 89 South. To the person that hit him. I’m so sorry this happened and thank you for circling all the way back to check on him. To the person who stopped and stayed with him and then transported him to Waterbury Veterinary Hospital, a million times thank you. Thank you to the State Police officer who gave him an official escort. To the woman at WVH who held our hands and said all the right things…thank you. To WVH for making our beloved pet presentable for us to say our final goodbyes…thank you. We will miss you so much Clifford. RIP and play with your sister Bella. This is why we moved to Vermont. Because people here are good and care.“
• Weeze in Waterbury

Have someone to thank in your town? Share it on FPF.

Community supports aid work in Nepal

Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • Comments are off for this post

A neighbor uses FPF to pull neighbors into an international aid project.

“I could use money to fund my work in Nepal, and would really like to feel the support of my community behind me. Sharing the number of people who have helped bring me to Nepal with the women I will be serving will also let them know that they are not invisible and their lives matter. With your help the circles of love and peace will grow larger and stronger.”

Neighbors respond and a community of support is built:

“Thank you so much for your donation! Along with your financial support, I will take with me your modeling of being community builders. Connecting with self and others will likely be a core theme in the work the students develop for the safe house. I am better prepared to assist them by having you in my community.” • Topaz in Burlington

Have a cause that you’re passionate about supporting? Let your neighbors know on Front Porch Forum and expand your efforts!

Keeping neighbors alert

Posted on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 by Front Porch Forum • Comments are off for this post

“I have to admit I haven’t followed the bear posts very closely, because our neighbors initial post did all that was needed- alerted neighbors to a possible threat… My almost four year old is just becoming independent in the back yard and when I saw the post about the sighting on our road I told my husband right away and we have had to be more alert and more restricting, a difficult balance. We also just got back into chickens and I realize after reading the post I could do more to deter bears…

SO thank you Neighbor, for your warning, your care, and your information. Thanks to FPF for giving us another way to connect with our neighbors and ‘shout’ from the porch.” • Ann & Everett in Elmore

Bears getting too close to your home? Let your neighbors know on Front Porch Forum!

Category Archives: Neighborhood