Category Archives: social capital
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
Lost car key recovered in the Mad River Valley
“My thanks to Macy for finding my car key and taking the time to post her discovery on our Front Porch Forum. Also thanks to Macy for not asking me how I lost it… it’s long story.”
• Sal, Mad River Valley FPF
“Amazed by FPF members and their willingness to help… “
“I continue to be amazed by FPF members and their willingness to help. It really is the modern day equivalent to the group at the country store. I asked for information on moving boxes. I was deluged with offers and ideas. Thanks, all of you.”
• Brian, Waterbury Front Porch Forum
Vancouver-ite’s take on Burlington
In a posting selling four used snow tires on the Far North End FPF, Jay shared yesterday…
I would also like to take this opportunity to say how wonderful Front Porch Forum and Vermont are. My family and I moved here from Vancouver British Columbia last summer. We moved here for work and was told about FPF by our landlord. Unfortunately, work isn’t working out for us and we have to move back to Vancouver in the coming months. We have mixed feelings about moving home. Vermont and in particular Burlington is a wonderful place with a fantastic sense of community. We are going to miss that dearly. My wife and I, despite living in a large city for a number of years, both come from smaller towns. We did a lot of research when deciding to move and thought Burlington was similar to what we wanted in a city. We weren’t disappointed.
Our only regret is not posting to FPF sooner. We have read it every day since we have been in VT and discussed how wonderful and unique VT is. There is a pride and sense of community like few other places we have been. We wanted to thank you for a wonderful experience.
Calais Community Root Cellar
“As you may remember from previous Front Porch Forum posts, the Calais Vermontivate team won first place in the community division. This means we earned $1,000 toward our mission of building a community root cellar. We will soon be working on the design for a root cellar in the basement of the Maple Corner Community Center. We don’t know yet how big it will be, but, it would help to know — who will want space here to store your roots? Send me an email to let me know if you want to participate.”
• Ginny, Calais FPF
Donating picnic table made quick and easy
“I had no idea what to do with the large wood picnic table with attached benches we inherited when we moved in. I finally thought to post it on FPF, and had 3 takers within 2 days. I hope my neighbors down the street enjoy many a meal on their new (to them) table. Thank you, Front Porch Forum!”
• Anne, Birchcliff neighborhood FPF in Burlington
Squabbling college town… can it become positive model for students?
“I read our FPF updates with enthusiasm and at times curiosity. I live on Main Street in the heart of the beaten path to and from off-campus student activities. I have lost flags, and other decorations to midnight five-finger-discount perpetrators. Yet, I refuse to brand ALL students as impish, hooligans, and ne’er do wells.
“Our college has myriad examples of kind, considerate and cooperative students: Mentor Programs, Meals on Wheels, etc. I am also a faculty member… Our students are reaching out regularly to become more involved with OUR community as we incorporate more Civic Engagement into our curriculum.
“You can’t expect to solve a problem with a school without taking into account the problems in the community. There is substantial divisiveness, tension, and squabble among and between us. There is a history of bullying and strong-arm behavior in our politics. If you believe that students don’t see it, then GOD BLESS YOU!!!
“I would like to have the community welcome new students as they arrive for the first time to our town. I have spoken to several folks about making this idea happen. We have a BEAUTIFUL town and caring people in it. Why not model the behavior we would like them to embrace as a standard?”
• Robert, shared recently with neighbors on his local Front Porch Forum
Feeling lonely? See yesterday’s Mad River Valley FPF…
“If you ever feel lonely, ask for a recommendation on Front Porch Forum — 15 tree service referrals and counting. Thank you everyone.”
• Ken, Mad River Valley FPF
“Corrugated metal roofing is gone… thank you for all the interest and thank you Front Porch Forum.”
• Annette, MRV FPF
“I now have a bike basket for my old Cruiser! Thank you FPF once again!!”
• Suzee, MRV FPF
100,000 Front Porch Forum members in Vermont!
We’re excited to announce that Front Porch Forum now has 100,000 members across Vermont. More than one-third of the households in the state participate in their local FPFs. Thanks to all who have helped achieve this milestone.
To share FPF with other Vermonters, please send them to FrontPorchForum.com to check it out and sign up.
FPF’s mission is to help neighbors connect and build community. We do that by hosting a statewide network of online neighborhood forums where Vermonters post about lost pets, borrowing ladders, recommending plumbers, sighting moose, reporting break-ins, discussing school budgets, and much more.
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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