Category Archives: Social Networking

Vermonters say it best… Why connecting with neighbors matters

#VT #BTV – Ever wonder what’s being said on various FPF neighborhood forums?  

Click to read how others use Front Porch Forum and why connecting with their neighbors makes a difference in their lives.

Here are some Vermonters talking about FPF…

Make local decisions with more than a quorum,
Send some bucks to Front Porch Forum.
– Dean Grover, Huntington, VT

The way I know Front Porch Forum is valuable to me is that I always open FPF e-mail. Always! And with winter coming on, these connections with our neighbors are ever more important. I feel good about financially supporting this wonderful thing that enriches our lives. You will too.
– Judith Raven, Shelburne

I can’t think of a worthier cause than donating to FPF. This is one of those resources not to be taken for granted. Never have I felt more connected to my neighbors, their small and large concerns as well as relevant information. We have recently moved to So. Burlington but I find myself reluctant to stop hanging out on my old front porch. Please contribute what you can.
– Roddy O’Neil Cleary, South Burlington

Friends & Neighbors,  Just a brief note to encourage our South Hinesburg neighbors to help support the central nervous system of our neighborhood.  Kate and I ask you to take a minute and donate what you can to this vital community link.
– Bill and Kate Schubart, Hinesburg

It is hard to believe that FPF might be getting so established that we take it for granted.  Unlike public radio, which many take for granted, we all had to make a conscious choice and take a simple but specific action to join FPF. Once on I believe that we have all found something of value in connecting to neighbors, getting information and staying informed of local issues.  In many cases we have met our neighbors through FPF.  It has certainly enriched our lives.  I want to encourage all my neighbors toconsider a simple donation to FPF.  Think of it as paying for a service or sharing the cost of a neighborhood block party. We should not take for granted that FPF just happens magically or is sustained by some outside beneficent force. It is really all about us.
– Glenn McRae, Burlington

Hi, fellow Forumites”“Whether you’ve recently joined or been reading and contributing to the Front Porch Forum since its beginning, you know what a unique resource it is. You’ve found lost pets, alerted neighbors to break-ins, advertised your yard sales”“or homes for sale, apartments for rent”“groused about street conditions or noisy neighbors, and shared important information about our “˜hood and our city.

FPF is more than a resource; it’s a social network. It introduces us to neighbors we have not met, and may never meet, face to face. It links us together in a way most of us could not manage on our own. And when we need to take action or make our voices heard, the Forum can provide a virtual strength in numbers.

FPF is, in a word, invaluable. I can’t imagine living in Burlington without it. And I’m sure you’ve noticed that it’s free!

But the Forum is not managed by elves, and we should not take it for granted. That’s why I’m encouraging everyone to make as generous a donation as you can afford to support the FPF. You can do that right here: http://frontporchforum.com/supporting-members

Thanks for reading,
– Pamela Polston, Burlington

Why do I support Front Porch Forum?  Being extremely near-sighted, I didn’t actually know that I HAD neighbors until I signed up for FPF. The forum brings the neighbors I otherwise wouldn’t know into my world and makes it a more colorful place. And it’s available in large type.
– Alex Graham, Burlington

Dear Friends and Neighbors – I’ve been reading the Front Porch Forum since it first started here giving me a convenient connection to a network of people living in Richmond. I can’t go out and meet people here, and I don’t want to search the Free Press for local news. This is the reason I supported the FPF with a cash donation, because I want it to continue to serve us. FPF helps to bring us together and discuss things that we are all interested in. Let’s collect more donations large or small so the people managing the site will meet their expenses easily. Tell your friends about the convenient service that you are enjoying, because we need to build a significant community of men and women, boys and girls who have a free and convenient connection with each other. Our conversations here are not edited by professional information broadcasters, who always sift out the things that they think aren’t really controversial or important. I’m in favor of spontaneous and uncensored communication between neighbors, and I encourage you to help keep this forum alive and vibrant with your donations. Thanks!
– Jon Landell, Richmond

I just made another contribution to FPF, and I’m feeling great! I use the forum to learn about issues that matter to the community, figure out who to vote for, voice my concerns about the neighborhood, and reach out to my neighbors. You can’t put a price on community, but you can do your part to help support it.

Also, I hope everyone will take some time to check out the North End Rotisserie on the corner of North St. and North Winooski Ave. It is owned and operated by a Burlington family, and the food is healthy, delicious, and inexpensive. It even has a great selection of vegetarian fare –Brett makes a variety of flavorful, creative sides.

Support FPF, support local businesses, and VOTE!
– Dan Kent, Burlington

For the month of October I have given up donuts… I tend to think globally and act locally, keeping an eye on the big picture while placing my meager donations into local efforts that support the larger cause. I strongly believe in local control, working with my neighbors to solve and resolve issues, instead of hoping that some huge, monolithic organization is going to do what is best for me. In my opinion, that is where Front Porch Forum has served us well.

FPF has provided us with a local platform to sound the alarm, voice our opinions, receive public notices, and learn more about the inner workings of our local government (Thanks Al !). We also use FPF for things like garage sale notices, and to alert the neighbors to traffic issues. In this way we rely on each other to band together to solve problems. It’s about as local as you can get.

FPF is launching a subdued donation drive and I’m asking those who can, to offer-up what they can. A little from many is as effective as a lot from a few.

For the month of October I have given up donuts. The financial savings will equal around $35.00 dollars, just about the monthly cost of a newspaper subscription or the yearly cost of a magazine subscription. I’m going to send the savings along to Front Porch Forum in hopes of another year’s support of our local bulletin board. My aging heart and arteries will thank me, l and I hope to fit into my Speedo by New Year’s Day (eeewww!)

I ask you to do what you can do too by clicking on the this link.
– Jim Minetti, Colchester

Hi folks ““ We all truly enjoy being members of Front Porch Forum.  As a free communication tool for our community we can reach our neighbors and talk about issues like never before.  There is an administrative cost to this service,  and I want to send out an appeal for those of us who may want to make a donation  to Front Porch Forum for use of this service.   If you wish to help support the costs to manage this program, just log on to http://frontporchforum.com/supporting-members and make a donation.  This is NOT mandatory and not required by Front Porch Forum ““ but as a big fan, and friend of the founder, I just wanted to let you know that you could help if you wished to do so.

Cheers and Happy Autumn to All!
– Melinda Moulton, Huntington

Many more where that came from… click here to see what others are saying.