Ghost of Midnight
… about neighbors, community and Front Porch Forum
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!
Opera scores and Victrolas snatched up on FPF
“So thrilled that some of my unmarked opera scores in great condition were snapped up so quickly, in one day! I am happy that a young local musician will enjoy them now in her music studies as I did! Front Porch Forum is a great idea.” • Annie-Vera in Stowe
“Wow! Front Porch Forum amazes me. Many many people responded to my Roku posting of this morning – but it’s been spoken for.”
• Lawrence in Montpelier
“I think that it is really COOL that my Fridge has sold. I can now CHILL out that its is soon to be gone. Want to thank all that replied, not to FREEZE anyone out here.” • Paul in Stowe
“The Victrola Was Instantly Claimed! I love FPF. Thanks to everyone for your interest.” • Elizabeth in Middlebury
Need some speedy responses to items for sale? Post them on FPF!
Sharing New Yorker subscriptions
A beautiful example of making social connections through FPF…
“I let my New Yorker subscription lapse because I couldn’t keep up, but with everything that’s going on, I’m regretting it. Is there anyone out there that would like to pass your New Yorkers on to me a week or two after you get them? I’d be happy to share the subscription cost with you.”
• Heather in Burlington
After receiving multiple responses, Heather responded: “Hello generous neighbors! My neighbor behind me has offered to share her old New Yorkers with me, and that sounds like the simplest plan logistically. But…if you’d be interested in starting a New Yorker book club (no reading requirements! you just discuss the articles that interested you most and/or happened to read), let me know!”
Neighbors quickly responded in favor! Make new connections and see what ideas/initiatives could spring from posting to your neighbors on Front Porch Forum!
FPF now has 140,000 members!
We’re excited to announce that Front Porch Forum now has 140,000 members across Vermont. More than half of the households in the state participate in their local FPFs. Thanks to all who have helped achieve this milestone.
To share FPF with other Vermonters, please send them to FrontPorchForum.com to check it out and sign up.
FPF’s mission is to help neighbors connect and build community. We do that by hosting a statewide network of online neighborhood forums where Vermonters post about lost pets, borrowing ladders, recommending plumbers, sighting moose, reporting break-ins, discussing school budgets, and much more.
Community responds to child’s stolen bike
While crime reports on FPF may not result in finding stolen items, neighbors can be counted on to help!
“I wanted to thank our community for the support we received after my son’s bike was stolen last week. We received three offers of new bikes for him (one of which he is happily riding around on) and lots of messages of support. The original bike has yet to be seen, but maybe one day it will turn up.” • Jaime in Montpelier
Original post: “We woke up this morning to find my autistic seven year old’s bike stolen off our porch. If you’ve taken it, PLEASE bring it back. It’s worth almost nothing, but he is very attached to it. As a back up, if anyone has a 20 inch kids bike with training wheels lying around, we’d like a replacement as soon as possible. He’s going to be very upset when he realizes it’s gone.”
Use Front Porch Forum as a neighborhood watch in your town.
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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