Category Archives: Social Networking
“Thanks for being a digital Town Meeting prep station”
It’s Town Meeting season. We get plenty of questions about how to use Front Porch Forum to address local issues this time of year, so we thought we’d share the following.
Postings about local Town Meeting topics, elections and ballot measures are welcome on each FPF. We ask that people who submit postings keep their tone civil one person’s witty remark is another’s cutting insult. Also, please focus on the topic rather than on specific neighbors. If you think someone is abusing this opportunity for open community dialogue, feel free to contact us with details.
Every single town in Vermont now has Front Porch Forum, and many of them become more lively this time of year as neighbors ask questions and share facts and opinions leading up to Town Meeting Day. We’re grateful to be able to make this contribution to Vermont’s centuries-long tradition of local and democratic decision making. We’ve heard repeatedly that people feel more informed and better able to participate and vote on Town Meeting Day thanks to their neighbors’ postings on their local FPFs. Please feel welcome to join in.
Of course the best way to participate is by showing up at Town Meeting and/or the ballot box!
P.S. From Susan in Montpelier today… “Thanks for being a digital Town Meeting prep station (ugh)… but you know what I mean, right?”
Huskies reunited with owner!
Posted by Suzi on the Hinesburg Front Porch Forum recently…
Just thought I’d share the good news and thanks to all… The owner of the missin huskies called me this morning from Starksboro (once again FPF saves the day) and it turns out she has 3 Huskies- their gate was accidentally opened on Friday morning and she managed to grab one but the other 2 bolted off. She searched by car for hours with no luck and they managed to travel all the way up through Huntington and into Hinesburg where I found them Friday night… amazing animals! Anyway, thought I’d share the happy ending to the story. 🙂
How does your community use your FPF?
Here’s a tiny sample of Front Porch Forum postings from across Vermont yesterday…
Bennington FPF by Kelly: “The Southshire Community Market received a huge amount of support using Front Porch Forum to test our new educational website. Thanks for all your help!”
Swanton FPF by Ken: “Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge is on Front Porch Forum now! Hello, after last night’s great meeting at MVU I have created an FPF account and will be posting events on FPF to try and get the word out about refuge activities and opportunities. I’ve added several events to the Swanton FPF Community Calendar stretching to June so please take a look.”
Danville Peacham FPF by Annie: “I’m in search of various items to furnish our new home and thought I’d put it to our Front Porch Forum before we went and bought new. We are looking for: Queen or full mattress and box spring, futon, night stands, kitchen table and chairs.”
Stowe FPF by Kyle: “We at Morrisville Lumber are also tired of this sub-zero streak and are also brand new to this Front Porch Forum phenomenon. With that in mind, for tomorrow only, Eric and Kyle will bribe you out of your cozy homes and into the Stowe store by offering 15% off your total purchase (regularly priced non-discounted items) for all cash or credit card sales! The only way to get this discount however is to mention that you saw this post on Front Porch Forum!”
Middlebury FPF by Marni: “Thank you to all that responded to my post about getting rid of kitchen scraps for compost! It sure is good to be back and enjoying the awesome community forum provided by Front Porch Forum. After a year in the south it sure is good to be experiencing such things as FPF… So grateful to be back in this beautiful state!”
Worcester FPF by Sara: “Still downsizing… So we have a few things left to offer if there are any interested neighbors. An antique bench ($25), a beautiful antique tea cart ($225), two air conditioners ($75 for newer, $25 for older) one dehumidifier ($85), a pub table with a few scratches but solid wood ($35)… It has been wonderful to meet some of you through Front Porch Forum!”
Waterbury FPF by Anne: “Running through Feb. 8, Waterbury’s Winterfest is a packed full schedule of all kinds winter activities. The complete 10 day schedule may be seen on the web site: waterburywinterfest.com, daily event schedules will be on Front Porch Forum, and the Waterbury Winterfest Minute will be heard on WDEV each morning of Winterfest.”
Shelburne FPF by Scott: “Four Blizzak winter tires for sale, $200. Still have 2-3 seasons left in these. They were taken off last spring and weren’t put back on in favor of all season tires. Great condition! Came off 2012 Subaru Outback. Size is 225-60-17. Front Porch Forum folks have first crack at them, then going up on craigslist.”
Northfield FPF by Gretchen: “How to build a community: Turn off your TV. Leave your house Know your neighbors. Look up when you are walking. Greet people. Sit on your stoop. Plant flowers. Use your library. Play together. Buy from local merchants. Share what you have. Help a lost dog. Take children to the park. Garden together. Support neighborhood schools. Fix it even if you didn’t break it. Have pot lucks. (Part 1 from Poster by K. Kerney)”
Many thanks to many neighbors
I was hiking through the golf course on Saturday and lost my phone while wandering around for two hours. Saw many hikers, skiers, dog walkers, and many took my number and offered to call for the next hour or so, hoping it would alert someone. The dog walker even suggested I let her dog sniff my glove because he was a good tracker. She promised to leave the phone on my car if she found it. After an additional hour of looking, I figured it was hopeless. Got in my car, but decided to go to upper parking lot and try one more time, retracing steps. Unbelievably, I found it, but more unbelievable is that in the last 45 minutes I had 14 missed calls recorded on my phone — all my helpers! When I called one number back, the most persistent, to thank him and tell him how astounded I was at so many calls, his response was: “Welcome to Vermont.” Warms my heart.
Shared by Pat on her Front Porch Forum in the South End of Burlington today.
Liz Stephen: US Ski Team
Shared by Daniel with his neighbors on the East Montpelier Front Porch Forum today…
East Montpelier native and FPF member Liz Stephen is skiing right up to the podiums this year. Her latest victory a US record. http://nordic.usskiteam.com/news/stephen-makes-history-us-team Not only does she represent the US team well, she also takes the time to visit our schools to inspire and encourage our students. She is sincere, positive and team oriented.
To Liz and her family, congratulations and keep up the excellence. Your home town is proud and supports you.
Need a financial advisor? Ask neighbors on FPF
Martha shared the following on her East Montpelier Front Porch Forum today…
Last week I posted requesting recommendations for a financial adviser to help me with retirement planning. Over 25 wonderful neighbors responded. Thank you all. Several people asked me to send them the names I received, so I thought I would open it up to FPF. If you would like to see the list of recommended financial advisers, email me and I’ll pass it on.
Neighbors’ spare Shaw stamps net 3 qt. pot
Neighbors are using their local Front Porch Forums to request and share grocery store stamps to apply toward new pots and pans… and it’s working!
From Mary on the Northfield FPF…
So .. I only had 27 extra stamps and almost didn’t post them thinking that is just not enough to bother with. But dang it, maybe, just maybe, they would put someone over the top to get one of those nice pans. Had to try. As it turned out it will help TWO ladies reach their goal! Thanks, FPF!
And Julia on the Montpelier FPF…
Thank you, kind Montpelier folks. I had several gracious offers, throughout last evening–and have my new 3 qt. pot! If you need some stamps, post it! — offers will come. FPF is terrific, and so is our sense of community. Gotta love it.
Christmas tree generosity among neighbors
Posted yesterday by David from Brownsville, Vermont, on his local Front Porch Forum…
I would love to donate a Christmas tree to a family who doesn’t have the ability to obtain one… I will bring it to you and help carry inside… This is the season of giving so I would love to bring a lil Christmas cheer to a family. 🙂
Overwhelmed by neighborly response
Lori posted on her central Vermont FPF over the weekend… 
My flat garage roof is very very heavy with this heavy snow. Looking for help to clear it this weekend. With my heart condition and my husbands bad back, we will have trouble doing it alone. If you can help, we can pay you. Please respond through Front Porch Forum if you are able. thank you!
And today she followed up with…
I am overwhelmed with the out-pouring of offers of assistance to shovel my roof. Thank you all for your generosity! I think we have it covered now. Amazing how community IS STILL ALIVE! There are good people left in this world!!!
Creating resilient communities in Vermont
Front Porch Forum is proud to be part of the Vermont Digital Economy Project, which has had a big impact across the state over the past couple years.
“VCRD launched the Vermont Digital Economy Project to offer free support to speed flood recovery, spur economic development and job growth, and improve community resilience to disasters. The project worked directly with Vermont towns affected by 2011’s floods to help businesses, nonprofits and municipalities expand their use of online tools. Together with project partners, we helped increase digital literacy and online workforce training, added Wi-Fi and other public access points, brought a community-based social network to every Vermont town, created town websites and community calendars, promoted the use of “cloud” applications, and provided customized small-business and nonprofit training.”
Check out this interactive map for lots of stories and real-world results:
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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