Ghost of Midnight
… about neighbors, community and Front Porch Forum
Speedy results on bargain sales
Whether you’re looking for or selling an item on FPF, members find speedy results!
“Everyone loves a bargain – last week my iPad sold 10 minutes after posting!!”
• Jean in Burlington
“Way to go Front Porch Forum! We asked for a dinghy, and within two hours had two offers.”
• Michelle in Middlebury
Road assistance at the most opportune times
Front Porch Forum members experience kindness in the middle of the road.
“My Subaru died right at the stop sign – at 8 AM! Dead. Within 8 minutes, no fewer than 6 commuters stopped to ask if they could help. None of those people knew me. Thanks so much, neighbors, and especially thanks to the woman who helped me push my subie out of harm’s way! What a wonderfully heartwarming way to start the day!”
• Yvette in Morristown
“I had the terrifying experience of my car dying in the middle of Rt 2. I managed to get my car mostly off the road, but had no cell service. Chief Roland came along, arranged for a tow, called my husband and waited with me until the tow truck came. I can’t begin to express how grateful I am for his concern and kindness.” • Michelle in East Montpelier
Have someone you want to thank, but don’t know how? Post it on FPF!
Looking for the ideal swimming holes?
Front Porch Forum members ask neighbors for help in discovering the areas best finds!
“We recently moved to the area and are excited about exploring some new swimming spots. We’re compiling a list of swimming holes both small and large, and would LOVE to hear your favorite spots!”
• Alexander in Moretown
Looking to explore Vermont’s treasures? Ask your neighbors on FPF!
Old vinyl records find home
Recommendations often lead to great discoveries and help small Vermont businesses.
“Looking to Off-Load Your Old Vinyl Record Albums? If you have any LPs, 45s, or even older stereo equipment from the 1950’s onward, we recommend Greg of Autumn Records to see if he is interested in them. He is a very pleasant person with whom to do business – we found out about Greg through a posting on the Huntington FPF – got to love FPF.” • Nancy in Richmond
Have someone you want to recommend? Post about it on Front Porch Forum!
Neighbors respond to help kids
It takes a community to raise a child, as noted on Front Porch Forum this week.
Posted on Wednesday:
“Hello Neighbors, I’m working with children in Lamoille County who would love any toys (or books) your children have outgrown. I’m happy to pick up and distribute them. They will be well loved and played with often, so if your toys are ready for a new home, please contact me.”
And days later….
“Thank you to everyone who responded to my posting. I was able to fill my truck up with all the donated goods left on my porch. I will be delivering and distributing it all this week and will let the kids know it’s all from Stowe’s generous community!” • Leah in Stowe
Have items in your home no longer in use? Could a neighbor use them? Post it on FPF!
Reminiscing and remembering local author’s stories
After the recent passing of an elderly neighbor in Jericho, her stories of this community are remembered on FPF.
“Margurite was a prolific Jericho author, who wrote about moving to the country with her husband and doctor. Her short anecdotes were light and entertaining. They concerned the quirks of rural life and the characters she and George came across in the days before IBM, ski bums and back to the landers who changed life in these parts. She kept writing even into her 90s and there are many of her books at the library.”
• Wayne in Jericho
Share your own memories about neighbors who have left a mark on your town on Front Porch Forum.
FPF Hiring Ruby on Rails Developer
Front Porch Forum is hiring! We are seeking a Ruby on Rails Developer to join our team. This position is full-time and based in Burlington, Vermont. Be part of a world-class team of software engineers, and help us fulfill our community-building mission. Check out the details and apply here.
Plea for help from chocolate lab owner gets answered
Front Porch Forum members turn to their neighbors often for help answering questions and meeting needs.
On Monday: “We have a new vehicle and the seat is too high for Reuben (my chocolate Lab) to jump into. He has arthritis in his front and back legs. He is fiercely independent….and resists my efforts to help him in. If anyone out there has a solution we would be very grateful.”
By Wednesday: “Thanks to all the folks who answered Reuben’s plea for a better way to get into his new car. Warren (and his sister) provided the answer. We thank everyone for the quick responses. FPF comes through again.” • Deb in Montpelier
Looking for a solution to a problem? Ask your neighbors on FPF!
Decline of open web in favor of social media… “grim consequences”
Iran’s “Blogfather,” Hossein Derakhshan, in a recent interview on the NiemanStoryboard…
“The decline of the web in favor of social media entails grim consequences. Hyperlinks were the founding principle of the web; it secured a diversity, nonlinearity, decentralization and interactivity, which made the web so powerful. But social media’s very philosophy and monetization strategy, or the stream, cannot be friendly to hyperlinks, since they do not want their users to leave their space. This new environment, in addition to the currently dominant algorithms, which favors popularity and now-ness rather than diversity and quality, is worse than television in its potential damage to representative democratic societies, where majority is supposed to take informed decisions without jeopardizing minorities. The rise of identity politics and intolerance for diversity is directly linked to the current form of the internet. This is the deepest shock of this transition to me since my release. This shift from what I call books-internet to TV-internet.”
Unlike some other social media platforms, Front Porch Forum doesn’t aim to lure people in and hold their attention 24/7. FPF, for many Vermonters, is a 10-minute-a-day habit that leads to more face-to-face conversations with neighbors… and to friendlier, more informed, and more resilient local communities. Hyperlinks in FPF postings are an important part of that.
Find & Seek with your neighbors
Neighbors across the state turn to their local FPF for recommendations on who to turn to when they need help and to support local entrepreneurs.
“Thank You for the Seamstress Reco’s! This forum is the best! Donna from SSE wins by popular demand. Will be sure to tell her of her overwhelming popularity when I see her.”
• Kate in Waterbury
“I’d like to offer a recommendation for Casey and her eggs. I’ve been buying them for a couple of months and they are tasty and fresh. Fun too as some are light blue shells… help support a local family!”
• Bets in Barre
“When we were looking for a carpenter/handyman/painter I looked here on Front Porch Forum and found recommendations for Jeremiah. Thank you, FPF, because he is great!”
• Martha in Shelburne
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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