Ghost of Midnight
… about neighbors, community and Front Porch Forum
Front Porch Forum awarded grant to explore social capital in Vermont
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recently awarded a grant to Front Porch Forum to study how Vermonters use FPF to build community.
“When the Foundation approached us to do this work, it was a wonderful surprise and great honor,” said FPF co-founder Michael Wood-Lewis.
A leading national social networking research organization, Network Impact, recently conducted a statewide 20-minute survey of 140,000 FPF members. They garnered 15,000 completed surveys from every corner of Vermont. Results are pending.
Need a recommendation? Having a yard sale? Looking for your lost pet?
Vermonters use Front Porch Forum for different reasons. But one thing that’s true for all FPF members is that it connects us to one another.
FPF connects us to our neighbors and communities. It connects us to our local and state officials. And it connects us to local clubs, nonprofits and businesses. And FPF is very happy to offer this service to our members free of charge.
As more folks put FPF to use, more resources are needed to ensure the same high level of service. And, since we aim to limit paid advertising, we need additional income to cover our expenses. That’s why each October, we ask for support. Contributions allow us to reach more Vermonters and continue to bring this free service to all 251 towns in the state.
Support FPF’s mission to help neighbors connect and build community… contribute today!
FPF is not a charity and contributions are not tax deductible. Ad sales to Vermont businesses cover most of our expenses, and your Supporting Member contribution helps close the gap.
Escaped vacuum cleaner found!
Sometimes we witness the most amazing stories reading our daily FPF:
“Yea Front Porch Forum is the best! To the person who saw the ad about our missing vacuum cleaner and showed his friend who had found it, our previous post thanks. You both are awesome for returning it to us. Roomba aka :”Creepy” is now grounded bad robot great neighbors however.” • Carol in Burlington
“Our little Irobot vacuum cleaner was cleaning off our porch and wandered down the ramp and perhaps down the driveway. Now he is MIA. If you saw our little friend please let us know.”
Lost something? Ask your neighbors for help on FPF!
Dead porcupine on road
A Front Porch Forum member recently alerted neighbors of the potential…
“For any of you crafters who use porcupine quills to make jewelry, the guy has lots to offer!” • Johanna in Newfane
You never know what your FPF neighbors might find useful!
Front Porch Forum coming to Cambridge, NY!
Thanks to a local group of supporters, Front Porch Forum is excited to bring our online service that helps neighbors connect and build community to the people of Cambridge, White Creek and Jackson, NY! Learn more about this initiative at an informational meeting tonight at 7PM at Battenkill Books.
Founded in Burlington, VT in 2006, FPF hosts local online forums in all 250 towns in Vermont, plus Argyle, NY. People use the site to find lost dogs, recommend sources of cord wood, organize help for a neighbor who is ill, find a babysitter, discuss local issues, report a break-in, and much more.
More than 140,000 households in FPF’s coverage area use the service to tune into local conversations and news and now the residents of the Cambridge, New York region can as well!
Can you follow your cat into cohousing?
Here’s a beautiful story and poem from a FPF member who lives in Burlington co-housing…
© Sharyl Green
August 10 2017
Burlington VT
How did Fisher get to be called a cat?
The members of FPF‘s Calais neighborhood have been having lively discussions about this creature found in Vermont’s woods!
Conversation began with this simple post alerting neighbors:
“A fisher cat has returned and has been seen behind my small pond down the hill from the closed road in North Calais.” • Reid
Followed by a flurry of topics related to the “Fisher Cat”:
“”fisher cats” is a common, but incorrect, misnomer. The fisher is a fairly large member of the weasel family, and bears no relationship whatsoever to cats…” • Warner
“I was interested in why they have been mistakenly called cats. Are there physical similarities? Are the sounds similar? Perhaps the use got transferred to large feral cats….Just wondered..” • Mary
“With all the emphasis on “cat”..my question now is — Why fisher…? Do they fish?” • Heather
“My first thought upon seeing yet more posts about fishers was, “Oh, no!” but I found myself laughing out loud…I think I will name the next cat that comes into my life “Fisher” as in “Fisher (the) Cat…” • Craig
Nothing like lively conversation on Front Porch Forum to connect us with our neighbors!
Planning a neighborhood block party?
Turn to your neighbors on Front Porch Forum, like this member did, to get it done!
“Is there any interest in having a casual neighborhood social / block party some time this fall to get to know each other? Willing to do most of the legwork organizing if others are interested. I put together a survey, and hope you’ll take a minute to fill it out and let me know! Feel free to send this to others that may not be on FPF. If there is digital interest, I will post signs around the hood in the near future. Take care!” • Sara in South Burlington
Get to know your neighbors in person and organize your own neighborhood event.
Successful search for foster parents
State agencies find using Front Porch Forum as a tool to speak to Vermonters works well.
An abundance of canoes and sheetrock
An FPF post that launched a thousand canoes….
“Recently I posted a request seeking a canoe to borrow or rent for use in showing to visitors our local ponds and lakes. In response I received offers for enough canoes to float a navy. I am grateful to live in this good and generous community.” • Stephen in Woodbury
Your neighbors have what you need! Ask them on Front Porch Forum, as this neighbor did who was doing renovation work on his home:
“Wow, you wouldn’t believe how much scrap sheetrock there is in Jericho! I had a bunch of responses before the FPF email even went out, and was able to pick up the piece I needed from the first one who responded. Thanks everyone! What did we do before FPF was around??” • Chris in Jericho
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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