Ghost of Midnight
… about neighbors, community and Front Porch Forum
Finding the right person for a household need
Need help finding the right person for a household fix or project? Many turn to Front Porch Forum for the answer.
“I was in a little jam last night and needed the help of a plumber. After researching FPF I called a local plumber and told him my issue. Over the phone he told me how to fix my immediate problem and I did it in less then 10 minutes. Because of the way I was treated, he is coming by tomorrow to look at a larger project and to fix another small leak. Good things come to folks who didn’t know me from Adam but jumped in to help.”
• Robert in Montpelier
In response to someone looking for firewood:
“Jim’s Firewood – he advertises in the business section of FPF.” • Bruce in Hinesburg
“Many thanks to Front Porch Forum for helping to bridge the gap in the digital age for promoting small, local businesses!” • Richard in Richmond
Check out the FPF local Business Directory for a host of options for your next project.
Local businesses are part of our community – let’s support them!
“I find FPF to be an extremely effective way to communicate to other members of my community. The few paid ads that are listed have been relevant and at times I have made use of them. We should be supporting local business.” • Cynthia in Burlington
“I found an ad for Florauna Lodge Mobile Grooming here on FPF, and wanted anyone who might have had any interest in the service to know how pleased I am with Kelley and her work.” • Pete in So. Burlington
Yes, we agree! Please support the businesses which sponsor your Front Porch Forum.
Hibernating bear wakes up
“A Front Porch Forum post (from Kim in Shelburne) warning neighbors about the possible wandering bear yielded almost twenty email responses. Though she was the only one to actually see evidence of the animal, she said people were very interested in her experience.
Early spring flooding and warmer weather can bring the bears out, but colder weather will drive them back to sleep until an extended period of warmth spring occurs.
If you see a bear, or signs of a bear, there’s no need to panic or call Fish and Wildlife. Mary (with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department) said, “It’s cool to see them. Be careful that animals don’t get in the way of the bear, and enjoy seeing wildlife.” • As reported in the Shelburne News
Will the recent warmer temps awaken more bears? Keep your neighbors updated on FPF!
Wallets found… over and over again
It’s great to hear the Front Porch Forum community is filled with honest, caring folk!
“Happy to say the wallet I found has been returned to a very thankful 7 yr old young lady. The power of FPF shines again!” • Rob in Shelburne
“Thank you, to the kind soul who found the missing handbag and turned it in. My visitor is greatly relieved to be reunited with her phone wallet and everything else in the bag. Acts of honesty and integrity like this are what make this such a great community.” • Wendelyn in Stowe
“I had posted yesterday that my mother in law lost her wallet. Thank you FPF for reuniting my MIL with her wallet! An honest and kind neighbor reached out within minutes of last night’s post.” • Gillian in So. Burlington
“I want to give a big thank you to the nice man that found my brother in-law’s wallet. I believe his first name is Jeff. Williston is a better place to live because of people like you.” • Donna in Williston
Have you lost or found a wallet, phone or other important item someone might be missing? Post on your neighborhood Front Porch Forum!
Providing support in slippery weather
Changing weather can result in difficult walking and driving conditions. Witnessing Front Porch Forum members helping their neighbors is very gratifying.
“Thank you to the neighbors who brought my trash and recycling bins up from the road to my garage!! There has been so much ice at the end of the driveway for the past couple of days, that I was afraid of falling.” • Susan in Montpelier
“Thank you to the kind person who sanded our driveway. It was a sheet of ice and we came home that afternoon to a well sanded driveway. Whoever you are, we are so appreciative of your kindness.” • Susan in Johnson
“Much gratitude to whoever laid sand down on my sheet of ice driveway the other morning!” • Lisa-Anne in Craftsbury
Have someone you wish to thank for their kindness? Let them know on FPF!
Revitalizing downtown Randolph
Residents in Randolph are making great use of Front Porch Forum to stir up ideas regarding their downtown! It all started with one post…. and numerous responses later, the community held a brainstorming session and created a survey to set some goals to stimulate business in their downtown.
“Lets see if we can get a list, through discussion, on what types of business people might like to see downtown. Lets list anything that we can dream up” • John in East Randolph
“I appreciate how much everyone has engaged in this discussion, you all have wonderful ideas and we should really think about getting together to have this discussion in person. It seems like the energy is there and that’s the most important ingredient.” • Trevor in Randolph
“Gratitude for all the thoughtful discussion going on. Front Porch Forum is alive–and so is Randolph!” • Josie in Randolph Center
We can’t wait to see what develops!
Borrowing in times of need…and for fun!
From the obscure to the rarely used items in your home, people find what they need when asking their neighbors on Front Porch Forum.
“I recently saw a post for someone wanting to borrow a large black light for an event. Now I’m not saying nobody has one, but really, who has one laying around that works? Such an obscure random request I thought, but I had one that fit the bill and is brand new, so I emailed and they picked it up, he said the kids had a BLAST and even brought me a gift which probably costs more than the light! This (FPF) is such an asset when it comes to really cool, random items for sale, for free or wanted to borrow and the fact that it’s SO local….you just NEVER know what you’ll find!” • Steven in Shelburne
“Sincere thanks for the many offers of crutches to borrow. Thanks to FPF and wonderful neighbors I am all set.” • Greg in Charlotte
“Thanks to all who responded to my request to borrow a walker. The number of responses speaks volumes to how generous and supportive this community is. All the wishes for a speedy recovery were also much appreciated.” • Hugh in Starksboro
“I want to thank the many generous FPF people in our community who responded to my post a few weeks ago requesting to borrow some medical items needed for upcoming surgery.” • Lois in Winooski
“Wow, thank you to everyone who responded offering to let me borrow their snowshoes. What a generous community we have! I have made arrangements to borrow a pair, so I am all set. Thank you again to everyone who offered.” • Martha in Shelburne
Community love
Love is in the air… and our towns!
“Thanks for all you do. In this increasingly chaotic and lonely world, you help us build community in our lovely town.” • Bruce in Burlington
New survey in Vermont reveals more trust among neighbors
Tapping 145,000 Front Porch Forum members across Vermont, a recent independent, large-scale survey revealed that FPF members know and trust their neighbors at double national averages. They also have more hope for the future of their local communities. More than 15,000 FPF members across Vermont responded to the survey.
78% of survey respondents say that their neighbors trust each other vs. 38% of Americans that say they trust their neighbors.
“It makes you proud to live in a place with such a strong sense of community.” • John in Panton
The new survey, conducted by Network Impact and supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, also found a similar pattern when asking related questions:
85% of survey respondents in Vermont are optimistic about the community where they live vs. 44% of Americans who feel hopeful about the future of their neighborhoods.
69% of survey respondents in Vermont know most of their neighbors vs. 26% of Americans who can recognize most of their neighbors.
“The recent survey shows that 89% of respondents say their neighbors help others, and 79% say that their neighbors pitch in on community projects. Being neighborly is paid forward in Vermont… to everyone’s benefit.” • Michael Wood-Lewis, Co-Founder and CEO of Front Porch Forum
This survey was commissioned by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Front Porch Forum, and conducted by Network Impact. More than 15,000 FPF members (out of 132,000 surveyed) across Vermont responded in March 2017, yielding a 99% confidence level in the results. See here for Network Impact’s report about their survey.
Downsizing with the help of neighbors
“Another use for Front Porch Forum: downsizing! I recently cleared out a shed by posting on FPF and giving the objects away for free. The lawn mower, rain barrel, etc were spoken for within minutes and people came to pick them up within a couple of days. It was so easy!” • Paige in Ferrisburgh
The items you no longer need could be just what your neighbor is looking for…. remember to post about items you’re looking to sell or donate 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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