Ghost of Midnight

… about neighbors, community and Front Porch Forum

A variety of ideas to build community connections

Posted on Friday, April 20, 2018 by • No comments yet

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

Posted on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 by • No comments yet

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

Posted on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 by • 1 comment

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

Posted on Monday, April 16, 2018 by • No comments yet

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

Posted on Friday, April 13, 2018 by • No comments yet

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!

 

Helping DPW crews identify potholes

Posted on Monday, April 9, 2018 by • No comments yet

“This has been a real tough winter for streets and sidewalks. The weather is soon to get warmer and DPW crews are already filling in the worst potholes. But… there are miles of street. They need the public to act as their eyes. DPW reads FPF and the hazards you identify will get filled in.

Lets start a thread that results in the top offenders identified and addressed ASAP. I reported the pothole that shakes shocks as well as the significant dip in front of the library that savvy drivers try to dodge. Please post the street and block of your nominee(s) so that DPW crews can get to it sooner than later. Help us all out.” • Richard in Montpelier

“The Duxbury Selectboard in partnership with our Highway Foreman, will be sharing updates about road work, conditions, equipment updates and crew news to help keep everyone informed about what’s happening on our town roads.” • Erin in Duxbury

Front Porch Forum members also share their thanks to town road crews:
“The road crews have had a crazy winter to deal with! Snow, ice, mud, repeat…Potholes, frozen culverts, flooding. They do what they have to do every day …Thanks to all for your determination everyday.”  • Richard in Hyde Park

“Thank you for sending the plow truck this am – it was appreciated!!”  • Sharon in Argyle

Vacation tips from neighbors

Posted on Thursday, April 5, 2018 by • No comments yet

Traveling soon? Your neighbors on Front Porch Forum just might have some stellar recommendations!

“I reached out on FPF for tips on places to visit and things to do while in Florida. I was looking forward to seeing family but dreading the Florida part of the trip. However, thanks to kind and seasoned travelers on FPF, I got a lot of tips that had me eating in a Greek restaurant in a sponge-diving community, kayaking down the Weeki Wachee River, and swimming with manatees. What a helpful community!” • Carl in East Montpelier

Picked up this morning after posted yesterday

Posted on Monday, April 2, 2018 by • No comments yet

Looking to sell or give-away household items…. or a car? Some success stories:

“Kitchen Aid Mixer & Toddler Bed Sold. Thanks for ALL the interest! Thank you to Front Porch Forum!” • Elizabeth in Danville

“FPF came out at 4:30 ish and by 6:00 I had 6 people contact me about the carpet!” • Gerry in Fayston

“The flooring is gone. Picked up this morning after posted yesterday. Way to go FPF.” • Noah in Montpelier


“Subaru sold! Thanks for ALL the inquires. Amazing the Power of FPF!!!” • Ginny in Stowe

“I’ve never received bogus calls or offers from anything posted here on FPF. Can’t say that for Craigslist!”
• John in Barre

Are you using Front Porch Forum to move some items?

 

Shout Outs to local business people

Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2018 by • No comments yet

Front Porch Forum members regularly ask and receive recommendations.

“Through FPF I’ve met some wonderful people with services to give. I am grateful to have met Bev who cat sits for me, and Pete who does contracting work. Pete and Bev are honest and reliable, who I can trust in my home at any time. Thanks FPF for helping me to meet such wonderful folks.”
• Meg in Williston

“Thanks to Bennington Front Porch Forum, Allison came into my life. Allison came to our home for a mini photo session and the experience was one-in-a-million. We’re lucky to have an amazing photographer in our community!”
• Jessica in Bennington

“Looking for someone who can do just about anything, is a problem solver and is a lot of fun as well? Amanda helped with gardening projects, cleaning, cleaning gutters, installing heat cables on the roof and assisting with a party we held last October. If it can be done, she will do it.” • Sandra in Underhill

 

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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