Ghost of Midnight
… about neighbors, community and Front Porch Forum
Helping DPW crews identify potholes
“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
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
Great Local Key to Communication
Neighbors and public officials appreciate having FPF!
“Front Porch Forum is a great conduit to communicate with neighbors and others in the local community. I appreciate Danby utilizing this forum for critical advisories, select board & planning commission transparent agendas & meeting minutes. In Danby approx. 48% of constituents are receiving information through this online venue, and recommend that FPF be elected as one avenue for posting Town official public notices, dates to comply, including dates & times of future foreclosure auctions etc.” • Don in Danby
“You must know by now how much I love and appreciate FPF. You are truly a transformative social media platform.”
• Jeff, Town Energy Coordinator, Richmond
Is your town utilizing Front Porch Forum?
Picked up this morning after posted yesterday
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
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
Vermont’s bright and confident future generation of women!
Front Porch Forum believes in supporting important community causes, and nothing is more important to us than the health and well-being of the next generation.
We are excited to once again partner with Girls on the Run Vermont for their 2018 season! As proud supporters, we are helping girls in our community become Vermont’s bright and confident future generation of women!
The 5K community celebrations across the state mark the successful completion of a 10-week Girls on the Run Spring program and is unlike any other running event.
FPF is so proud to support our Vermont girls on their journey to self-confidence. Since 1999, Girls on the Run Vermont has inspired over 44,000 girls at more than 160 sites in 13 Vermont counties. This year alone, over 3,000 girls are participating in the 10-week, after-school program. Interactive lessons that integrate physical fitness help girls to effectively problem solve and remain strong during adolescence. Topics include self-image and the media, resisting peer-pressure, making healthy decisions and contributing to the community.
Our support of the Girls on the Run 5K helps further the mission of the Vermont council, an organization that encourages the young women in our community to grow up with confidence, compassion, and character. We are invested in growing the next generation of strong, skilled, and healthy leaders ““ the future role models in communities all over Vermont.
Learn more about Girls on the Run Vermont by visiting gotrvt.org.
A matter of trust
A recent article from the Times Argus highlights findings from FPF survey work done in 2017.
“Members of Front Porch Forum, who are not anonymous and make a commitment to be part of the online community, are comforted by the engagement of others. Perhaps at a time when contention is rampant, the sense of community, even online, is enough of a connection for members to feel a level of comfort and trust.
Community building takes various forms, whether that be public suppers, music, theater or meetings and discussion groups. Vermonters have always taken great pride in being good neighbors. Now we can take stock in knowing that being part of the community, even online, has merits that go far beyond chasing down lost dogs or finding a place to stay for a friend. It still means we connect.”
To read more, visit https://www.timesargus.com/articles/a-matter-of-trust/
FPF as a discussion tool
Varying opinions on a topic or issue can be difficult when not approached in a civic manner. Front Porch Forum members weigh in:
“Should we be discussing controversial issues on FPF? If not here, where? One of the problems with our pop culture these days is that we are constantly talking to those we agree with. Our social media echo chambers are really hurting our democracy. FPF is fundamentally different from Facebook. It is a platform where I can talk to my neighbors and they can talk to me. Facebook seems to be a self selecting group which will frequently share ones own views. How can we find common ground if we do not talk to one another? I think the discussion on guns in FPF has been respectful, diverse and informative.” • Jeff in Richmond
Use Front Porch Forum to have civil discussions on tough topics and connect with your neighbors.
We need … neighbors.
FPF friend and journalist
“Neighbors were optional for much of the last 50 years. We became hyper-individualists surveys show that three-quarters of Americans have no relationship with their next-door neighbors, which is a novel situation for humans. But in the next 50 years, we’re going to need our neighbors again. The fat years are past and the lean years are upon us even as we try to rebuild our planet against the predations of the rich and powerful, we’re going to require stronger communities for sheer survival. Ask the people trying to recover from Hurricane Harvey, from Maria, from the firestorm that raked California.” –
This speaks to our work. Hosting Front Porch Forum across Vermont over the past decade, we’ve seen the value of neighbors during and after natural disasters and other crises.
Build your local networks of neighbors now, and then you’ll have that investment in social capital to fall back on in times of need in the future.
Furniture found for family in need
Neighbors reach out through FPF to help a family:
“When we posted a request for help for a family of four, many people came through right away. Today we were able to deliver a mattress, a dresser, and a chair to them. They are very grateful. And, we are thankful for this generous community. Front Porch Forum is great.”
• Margaret and George in Middlebury
Know someone who could use a helpful hand? Turn to your neighbors on FPF!
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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