Ghost of Midnight
… about neighbors, community and Front Porch Forum
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
Local issues discussed civilly
While national politics grow ever more divisive, Vermonters appreciate the largely civil debates about local issues that happen on their local Front Porch Forums. For example, in a recent Middlebury FPF…
“I appreciate the civil discussion on FPF regarding the proposed Library expansion. Many interesting perspectives and information have been expressed. Thank you for that. It seems to me that all too often in our society differences of viewpoint cannot be explored respectfully. I appreciate this discussion.” • Christine in Middlebury
Packages pinched from porches
Residents are looking out for each other in Essex as thefts of delivered packages have been noted on Front Porch Forum. Watch Local 22 TV to see how neighbors watch out for each other to increase public safety!
Dog hit on I-89
Reasons why our Front Porch Forum members LOVErmont!
“Thank you to all the strangers who took time out of your day to try to help our dog to safety on 89 South. To the person that hit him. I’m so sorry this happened and thank you for circling all the way back to check on him. To the person who stopped and stayed with him and then transported him to Waterbury Veterinary Hospital, a million times thank you. Thank you to the State Police officer who gave him an official escort. To the woman at WVH who held our hands and said all the right things…thank you. To WVH for making our beloved pet presentable for us to say our final goodbyes…thank you. We will miss you so much Clifford. RIP and play with your sister Bella. This is why we moved to Vermont. Because people here are good and care.“
• Weeze in Waterbury
Have someone to thank in your town? Share it on FPF.
Community supports aid work in Nepal
A neighbor uses FPF to pull neighbors into an international aid project.
“I could use money to fund my work in Nepal, and would really like to feel the support of my community behind me. Sharing the number of people who have helped bring me to Nepal with the women I will be serving will also let them know that they are not invisible and their lives matter. With your help the circles of love and peace will grow larger and stronger.”
Neighbors respond and a community of support is built:
“Thank you so much for your donation! Along with your financial support, I will take with me your modeling of being community builders. Connecting with self and others will likely be a core theme in the work the students develop for the safe house. I am better prepared to assist them by having you in my community.” • Topaz in Burlington
Have a cause that you’re passionate about supporting? Let your neighbors know on Front Porch Forum and expand your efforts!
Keeping neighbors alert
“I have to admit I haven’t followed the bear posts very closely, because our neighbors initial post did all that was needed- alerted neighbors to a possible threat… My almost four year old is just becoming independent in the back yard and when I saw the post about the sighting on our road I told my husband right away and we have had to be more alert and more restricting, a difficult balance. We also just got back into chickens and I realize after reading the post I could do more to deter bears…
SO thank you Neighbor, for your warning, your care, and your information. Thanks to FPF for giving us another way to connect with our neighbors and ‘shout’ from the porch.” • Ann & Everett in Elmore
Bears getting too close to your home? Let your neighbors know on Front Porch Forum!
Attempted apiary break-in
“The suspect was large and brown, with a big nose and quite unkept fingernails. A similar break-in was reported 1/4 mile away at a neighbor’s trash can. The suspect’s given name is believed to be Ursus, but uses many aliases including: “Baloo”, “Paddington”, “Smokey”, and”Yogi.” It is believed that the famous, “Poo” of the Hundred Acre Wood is also the same individual, or may be a cousin. Suspect is not believed to be armed, although citizens should consider the suspect to be potentially dangerous in certain circumstances and take appropriate precaution in the event of an encounter. Citizens should be advised that re-currant attacks are possible, even probable, and should take appropriate steps to protect valuable garbage, honey, and any other potential targets. Happily, appropriate safeguards were followed at the apiary for such an event and the perpetrator was unable to access the valuable honey stores.” • Steven in Middlesex
Have you had bear sightings in your neighborhood? Let you neighbors know by posting 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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