social capital | Ghost of Midnight

Neighbor house switcheroo…

Posted on Monday, December 3, 2012 by Michael • 1 comment

#VT – Sadly, I will soon be selling my large house in the village. I very much want to stay right here. If you are selling, or know of anybody who is or might be selling a small (2 bedroom?) house or condo in Richmond Village, please contact me. Thank you.”

Posted by Joanna on the Richmond Front Porch Forum. The next day, she received from Christy…

Hi Joanna – We have a 2 bedroom townhouse that we love, but that we will eventually outgrow. We’ve been looking for homes in the village… we’d love to stay here. Have you already sold your house?

Joanna shared with us just today…

I am thrilled to report that, two months after my initial FPF posting, I purchased the townhouse and Christy and her family purchased my home. Amazingly we each found the perfect home and we were able to sell our homes without ever putting them on the market. Thank you, Front Porch Forum!

Overwhelmed by neighborliness…

Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 by Michael • No comments yet

#BTV #VT – Thanks to all the people who replied to my post. I was overwhelmed. I’ve made arrangements with someone and am now all set. Thanks again… FPF works very well.

Posted today by Emily on the Downtown Burlington Front Porch Forum.

How to stir up your FPF…

Posted on Monday, November 26, 2012 by Michael • No comments yet

#VT – Dan posted the following to the Huntington FPF the other day, and the responses have been loads of fun…

A couple weeks ago the residents of Upper East Street woke to the sight of a wooden step ladder bravely standing upright and proud just across the ditch on the edge of the woods. It’s a lonely looking step ladder with no houses nearby and no apparent purpose in life such as a large tree nearby to to help someone climb into.

I am hoping readers will post a response answering one or all of the following questions:
1.) The real answer as to how it got there and what it’s purpose is,
2.) The most logical explanation you can come up with,
3.) The most whimsical explanation, or most importantly
4.) What it’s thinking as it silently watches all the busy humans buzzing up and down the road.

I would appreciate your help with this as ever since it appeared I’ve been struggling with getting a good nights sleep.

Mad River Valley compost to heat greenhouse

Posted on Friday, November 16, 2012 by Michael • No comments yet

#VT – Great video clip…

Glad Front Porch Forum made the match between those with excess wood chips and those seeking same.

Danby brings FPF to town…

Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 by Michael • 1 comment

#VT – Thanks to the Danby, Vermont, selectboard, citizens in this small Rutland County town may now join Front Porch Forum!

Please spread the word to anyone you know in Danby.

FPF is now available in about 85 Vermont towns. Here’s a full list and map.

Middlebury Front Porch Forum Launches!

Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 by Michael • 5 comments

#VT – Please tell your friends in Middlebury, Vermont, to sign up for their new Front Porch Forum! A special thanks to the Vermont Gas Systems for their generous support in getting this going.

FPF is now available in about 85 Vermont towns. Here’s a full list and map.

Northfield joins Front Porch Forum

Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 by Michael • 1 comment

#VT – Folks in Northfield, Vermont, may now join Front Porch Forum! A special thanks to the Northfield Rotary Club for their generous support in getting this going.

Please spread the word to anyone you know in Northfield.

FPF is now available in about 85 Vermont towns. Here’s a full list and map.

Smash for Hurricane Sandy Relief in Richmond #VT

Posted on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 by Michael • No comments yet

On Sunday, November 11th, from Noon to 3:00pm, the VYCC and Vermont Foodbank are partnering to host a Hurricane Relief event, Smash4Sandy. Participants who donate to the VYCC’s relief efforts will be able to throw a pumpkin out of the West Monitor Barn at a variety of targets below to win fun prizes. The funds raised will be used to distribute produce from local Vermont farms to victims of Sandy. The in-person Smash4Sandy event kicks off an online fundraising effort, with a goal of raising $25,000.

Stop by the VYCC on Sunday; make a donation to one of the teams; or better yet, create your own team and set a goal. Join a growing group of individuals and organizations who are coming together to support our neighbors to the south. Event details can be found at http://www.smash4sandy.wordpress.com, or call Thomas Hark directly at 802.922.0266.

Share this on your Front Porch Forum and other ways.

Kids tuning in to community conversations?

Posted on Monday, November 5, 2012 by Michael • No comments yet

#VT – … my kids, reading over my shoulder, decided they too want to be in-the-know. So they’ve both signed up for FPF, without assistance from me.

My 14-year-old daughter wants to help find lost cats for neighbors; my 11-year-old son looks forward to finding out about yard sales where he can find electronics bargains.

Maybe they’re not unique, but I thought it was a tribute to what you’ve created that these members of our youngest generation have added your service to the few they subscribe to — and one that, as a parent, I trust is “safe” for them to read!