Ghost of Midnight
… about neighbors, community and Front Porch Forum
10% of Barn Sale Proceeds
Neighbors frequently extend their thanks to FPF, including John who held a barn sale in Cornwall, and donated a portion of his sales. Free or for sale, members find success on FPF:
“The bike helmet was taken within an hour of the posting. Thank you Front Porch Forum.” • Jean in Middlebury
“Thanks. FPFers. The Trek bikes are gone. We had over 30 responses.”
• Jeff in Waterbury
“The Subaru tires are gone, thanks to all those who inquired, I don’t think it took all of 15 minutes really. Support FPF!” • Fred & Karen in Northfield
“As a thank you to Front Porch Forum, a donation will be made to FPF equal to 10% of the total proceeds from orders received from this posting and future postings. Thanks FPF!” • John from Got Vinyl?
“Free tandem kayak found a good home and we really appreciate all the interest. Our Front Porch Forum is a GREAT resource!”
• Rick in Jericho
“Thanks to FPF the golf clubs and cart were picked up today.”
• Irene in Barre
“The bike has gone to a new home. Front Porch Forum is a wonderful place.” • Kathy in Jericho
Need a tailor? Or a lawn tractor fixed?
From recommendations to suggestions on do it yourself repairs, Front Porch Forum members respond!
“Thanks to all who gave me recommendations for a tailor/seamstress, they were much appreciated. FPF rocks!”
• Pam in St. George
“I posted that I was looking for a dog groomer, a chaise lounge and upholster. And low and behold, I got lots of recommendations and 3 possible chaise lounges. I love FPF!” • Hasso in Calais
In response to a request for lawn tractor repair, a neighbor responds: “Can’t help you with a recommendation, but 9 times out of 10 these “no juice” “won’t crank” problems boil down to a safety switch. There are probably three or four on your machine: one under the seat (operator presence), one on the mower deck switch (make sure it’s off), and one on the brake or clutch pedal (must be depressed). Also make sure your transport/mow speed lever or pedal is in neutral. Wiggle all those around and see if you can’t get it started.” • Peter in Cornwall
Fight hunger in Vermont at the Point to Point!
Join Front Porch Forum and help support the Vermont Foodbank in the Point to Point, powered by VSECU, on Aug. 11. Since 2002 this cycling and running event helps to raise funds and awareness for the Vermont Foodbank’s mission to end the growing problem of hunger in Vermont. Help a neighbor in need and have fun doing it!
Choose from 3 road bike or 2 mountain bike rides, or a trail run. Join the P2P Festival with kids’ activities, music, food trucks, and Harpoon beer. Ride, run, or volunteer to fight hunger! Learn more and register at http://www.thepointtopoint.org/
FPF is a proud sponsor of this event.
A community responds to help a neighbor in need!
A Front Porch Forum member posts: “It has come to my attention that a family in the Valley no longer has a working stove. I have had no luck so far finding one for them. It doesn’t have to be new or grand…just functioning! We would like free but, if it is a reasonable price might consider.”
Two days later….
“Thanks to everyone who responded to my request for a gas stove for a local family. We found one and they even offered to deliver! We have a fabulous, generous community!” • Johnnye with the MRV Food Shelf
Know someone who could use some help? Ask your neighbors on FPF!
Organizing a Repair Cafe
We love this idea undertaken by Front Porch Forum members. Doing something good for the environment and building social contacts!
“Do you need something fixed? Come to the first ever Repair Cafe. Start collecting your household items to be fixed at this FREE event. We have fixers willing to work on watches, bicycles, clothing, knitting projects, electric appliances, small office equipment, furniture, small engines, lamps, tools (including sharpening) and electrical gadgets. And we even have someone willing to tutor you with your smart phone!” • Cathy in Charlotte
“One of the “fixperts” reinforced my eyeglass frames. This may save me having to buy a whole new pair of frames (very expensive!). Thank you. What a wonderful event!” • Lucy in Plainfield
“I was fortunate to have a loose jacket zipper secured, a broken hoe handle extracted, a few pair of earrings brought back to life and iPhone issues resolved. I witnessed holes in sweaters and coats mended; a chainsaw, sewing machines and lamps fixed; and blades sharpened and that was just in the short hour I was there. What a great event to connect with community members while bringing back to life items that would have been needlessly discarded.” • Judy in Charlotte
Here’s how you can do the same in your neighborhood:
STEPS:
- Post to organize several neighbors to volunteer making repairs. Suggest the idea of a “Repair Cafe” and seek a place to hold the event.
- Post an announcement two weeks prior to the event to invite neighbors in need of repairs AND to encourage volunteer help.
- Post a reminder message three days before.
- Choose the “Event” category so that your posting also shows up in the FPF Community Calendar.
- Check the share box to include neighboring towns.
“Repair is possible, and often not that difficult, with a little bit of community support.” — The Repair Caf© Foundation
A variety of ideas to build community connections
Front Porch Forum members reach out to their neighbors to come together in their community:
“If you are looking for more plants for your garden, come to the Neighborhood Plant Swap! This is a free plant give-away, neighbor to neighbor.” • Melanie in Burlington
“Join your friends, neighbors, and fellow residents to share YOUR vision for the future of our town. The Vermont Council on Rural Development will facilitate a Community Visit Day to ask ALL residents about opportunities, challenges, and ideas for action for the community.” • Pat in Wallingford
“There have been discussions regarding a community center to serve the needs of our diverse population. Perhaps you’d like to participate in such a conversation? If yes please get back to me through this forum and we’ll see where it leads.” • Rolf in Hinesburg
“Any other new moms/parents out there interested in getting together to share parenting advice and ideas or just have a cup of coffee with babies in tow?” • Anna in Bristol
“Looking to meet other working professionals in their 20’s-30’s. Take turns hosting potlucks with different themes?” • Laura in Waterbury
“Wouldn’t it be fun to have a series of story-telling events? We’d hear stories from our friends, neighbors, family and strangers: real people, telling true stories from the heart. A great way to build community spirit and get to know each other better.” • Sherril in Randolph
Have an idea to connect with your neighbors? Reach out on FPF!
Boosting attendance at local events
Event organizers find using FPF for promotion increases attendance:
“The turnout was the best yet. We asked a lot of the attendees as they were leaving where they heard about the show and many said Front Porch Forum. Thanks for you support and sponsorship, it did really help us get the people through the door.” • John with Made in Vermont Marketplace
“2017’s Open Farm Week event saw increased reach through partnership marketing with the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing and Front Porch Forum, drawing visitors from Vermont and beyond to the many participating farms throughout the state.” • Reported in the Bennington Banner
Post your event on FPF or contact us to learn how to broaden your reach at localbiz@frontporchforum.com!
In-person conversations lift the spirit
Front Porch Forum members spend time connecting with their neighbors in person.
“Waiting at the DMV I met Mr Congeniality himself: 4-year old Isaac. He and I quickly struck up a friendly conversation. He was thoughtful and creative and funny. And to be honest, I’ve had a pretty crummy week otherwise, but chatting with that bright-eyed kid was a lovely distraction.” • Morgen in Montpelier
“Let’s start being more real, more in-person. Stop living so much of life in cyberspace. Commit to replacing some screen time with real time. Quality time. Our world will be better as a result of every in-person connection we have.” • John in Barre
“With all the sad news happening around the world, I just feel the strong desire to spread happiness & positivity, and Front Porch Forum seems the perfect place to do it!” • Elaine in Northfield
Feel free to continue spreading happiness on FPF!
Neighbors make our communities great places to live
We’ve been witnessing a number of good acts happening these days!
“Our lost keys were found and returned thanks to a post on Front Porch Forum. This isn’t the first time that lost items were returned to us via FPF. Thanks to all our neighbors for making this such a great place to live!” • Amy in Winooski
“I would like to send out many thanks to Front Porch Forum for making it possible to be reunited with my lost chainsaw & equipment. FPF has once again showed to me why it is a valuable community electronic bulletin board.” • Ben in Worcester
“So grateful for honest people in our community to return stuff when found to the right owner! Just saying!” • Hilda in Montpelier
“Thanks to the kind folks who responded to my post yesterday and to the individual who placed my mitten safely on a fence post! FPF is a wonderful community tool!” • Rosemeryl in Jericho
Alert your neighbors if you’ve lost or found something on Front Porch Forum!
Penguin now has a home
Witnessing daily small acts of neighborliness on Front Porch Forum
“What an amazing community we all live within! Thank you very much to the dozens of people who offered Penguin the hen a home after the fisher cat attack on her coop. She is now happily ensconced in a neighbor’s coop, and I feel very happily ensconced among this amazingly generous and caring community.”
• Zoe in Underhill
FPF‘s recent survey shows that 89% of respondents say their neighbors help others. How true!
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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