Category Archives: Social Networking
The Bridge covers FPF in Montpelier
“Front Porch Forum, the free community-generated online newsletter, has only been serving Montpelier for a couple of years, but 3,500 city residents have already signed up to get its e-mails, and Montpelier members have proven to be the most active posters of messages in the state… ‘Montpelier is an outlier,’… ‘In the last 30 days, there have been 1,300 postings in Montpelier. We usually consider anything over 60 or 90 postings a month to be a successful forum. Montpelier is at over 10 times that level.'”
Bigfoot sighting reported in Morrisville
“I saw Bigfoot up on the Silver Ridge Road and had the chance to see him eating. It looks like Bigfoot is strictly a vegetarian which is good news for the two cows on the loose up around that way.”
• Peter, Morrisville Front Porch Forum
Vermonters listen to neighbors’ business recommendations
“I visited Deepa’s Beauty Salon after reading a recommendation on Front Porch Forum. Thanks for the review. I also found it to be very clean, have professional staff, good prices, and great services. Thanks.”
• Luba, Winooski FPF
Here’s the original post recommending this local business…
“Today my out of town friend took our daughters to Deepa’s Beauty Salon for manicures. They had an excellent experience–great customer service and quality of work. The atmosphere was clean, professional, yet also homey and inviting. My friend took off her very valuable (both financially and emotionally) wedding rings for the manicure and then left them there. Several hours later, she realized her mistake. The salon owners met us after hours on a Saturday night and very cheerfully opened up the salon and returned the rings. We are so grateful for their integrity, honesty, and friendliness. It’s businesses like these that bring pride to Winooski. I encourage you to support this wonderful locally owned business!”
• Arica, Winooski FPF
Hyde Park cows missing for two weeks… now in Morrisville?
“We are missing three red & one black Devon cows. They were last seen on Center Rd. in Hyde Park. Please contact Applecheek Farm – 802-888-4482 – if you see these cows. Thank You!”
• Judy, Hyde Park FPF, Oct. 30, 2015
“We are still missing two cows – one red and one black Devon. Last seen – one near Silver Ridge Rd and one near Frazier Rd. – both in Morrisville. Thanks to Front Porch Forum and helpful neighbors, we have been able to capture the rest of the cows. If you spot either of these cows, please call Applecheek Farm at 802-888-4482. Thanks to everyone for their support.”
• Judy, Hyde Park FPF, Nov. 9, 2015
Wood pellet load in Duxbury… no problem
“Need a helping hand… I’m a 71-year-old disabled man in need of help bringing inside about 20 bags of wood pellets. Call anytime. Thanks.”
• Brett, Duxbury FPF
“Thank you to Front Porch Forum, it took only 5 minutes to get the help I needed. Thank you again.”
• Brett, Duxbury FPF
Small data vs. big data
Writing for the Brookings Institution and Huffington Post, Hollie Russon Gilman…
Until fairly recently it was not uncommon for new members of a community to bake muffins or a pie to introduce themselves to their new neighbors. Today, people have more robust digital social networks and are less likely to engage in these types of activities. Some organizations are attempting to translate these activities to the online world. Front Porch Forum a startup in Burlington, Vermont is trying to make a safe space for neighbors to discuss the nuts and bolts of their community. People must identify their full names and streets — helping build networks of trust. Neighbors post and discuss issues related to their communities. The platform serves as a source of information — ever critical with declining local papers and coverage. The ultimate goal is to get people out of the house by creating a feedback loop inspiring in-person activity.
In Burlington there are more than 15,000 users (out of 16,000 households) with some households having more than one account, as discussed on TechPresident. Front Porch is expanding to other cities. These types of platforms have the ability to use local data to create stronger, more resilient communities. Citizens provide and receive data from their neighbors, which, in turn, can improve the overall quality of life.
Housing problem solved… for goldfish
“Thanks to FPF and a kind recipient, my two 4-inch Calico Koi-type Goldfish are moving from a 2-bedroom to a Mansion!!!”
• Carolyn, Middlebury Front Porch Forum
Vermont libraries use FPF to connect with community
“The Friends of the Castleton Free Library are grateful to our members. We are also happy to… support Front Porch Forum. Thank you FPF for giving our community a valuable and worthwhile way to communicate with each other.”
• Liz, Castleton Hubbardton FPF
Burlington beekeeper can’t pass up neighbors’ postings
“Most of us, when we go away on vacation, try to avoid the television, divert our attention away from national news stories, perhaps even lose track of events affecting our Green Mountain state. That pretty much sums up my approach at least. But in perusing my emails, the one thing I cannot pass up is the daily Front Porch Forum e-newsletter.
“Why is that? For me, it’s that eye in the sky that allows me to feel connected with events taking place literally feet from my front porch. There is no need to wonder if the content is relevant. It’s my neighborhood with my neighbors talking about things that they feel are worth sharing. An extra benefit, of course is our city councilors’ and NPA reports, police and fire notices, and information on various initiatives in the city that might be of interest to us.
“FPF has also allowed me as a beekeeper to share what comes out of my backyard with those who provide their backyards to my bees. I have the opportunity to meet new neighbors and welcome back those who have purchased again and again chatting for a while about what an amazing place we live, a place that provides so much diversity and opportunities for expression and creativity.
“I can’t think of what could possibly replace Front Porch Forum, and I hope I never have to.”
• Randy, Old North End Burlington FPF
Enough Halloween candy in Lincoln already!
Oct. 27 FPF posting: “Last year someone suggested that people who live outside of the village area might help to contribute to the large amounts of Halloween candy handed out within the center of Lincoln… If you are willing to contribute a bag or two of candy, please drop it off at the Town Office by Thursday at 2pm, or at my house by Friday. I will make sure it gets distributed to the people who have requested it. Thank you!”
• Sally, Town Hall
Oct. 29 FPF posting: “Lincoln People – I am a little overwhelmed by the power of Front Porch Forum and the generosity of our community. All day long, people have been walking into the Town Office donating Halloween candy for households in the center of Lincoln. Now it’s getting a little embarrassing to accept any more. Weathervane folks have already taken what they need and I still have about 15 bags of candy here in the office. Most people donated more than one bag, and some didn’t even have children of trick-or-treat age. If there are other households in the center of town who want to hand out candy, please contact me at home and I will drop some off. Are there firefighters who want to hand out candy at the station? I can set you up. Any Bristol people need some? I know you distribute to five towns of kids.”
• Sally, Town Hall
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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