Swap Sisters
Meet Rebecca and Erin. They are two of the "Swap Sisters" who organize a March seed swap, a June plant swap, and a November harvest barter in the Northeast Kingdom. Tapping into a history and culture of promoting food sovereignty and skill-sharing, Rebecca, Erin, and their friends bring a "just-make-things-happen" spirit.
Silent Book Clubs
This fall, Front Porch Forum is featuring Vermonters who excel at building community and offer tips for how to you can get started in your own town. Read it here in The Bridge Weekly
Despite being a "hesitant organizer," Elena decided to start a Silent Book Club in Burlington. Her goal was to build some community after moving to the area, all while enjoying one of her favorite activities -- reading!
Middletown Springs
For one week each year, Mary and a team of volunteers transform Middletown Springs into a campus, and community members become both faculty and students. Classes are taught by resident volunteers with knowledge in a subject and held at various locations around town, including the town office, library, and even people's homes. Past courses have included Concepts and Techniques in Timber Framing, Beginner Knitting, Bookbinding, College Applications 101, and more.
Volunteers Kept The Rink Going
Tending to a skating rink is a lot of work. Ada used Front Porch Forum along the way to announce the revival and to recruit volunteers to help out. "Can you go it alone? Yes. Should you? Probably not." Ada recommended, "Put together a team of people who are all interested in being a part of the project. When there's a big snow, you need extra support to help shovel or snowblow the rink. Borrow some muscle!"
Country Stores
All have been excellent!! Some have tables and chairs inside, and at others, we've had to eat in the car. Sitting on the porch is an option in good weather.
Society of Undersocialized Parents
A new club is forming in Montpelier. It is called the Society of Undersocialized Parents. The premise is that adult friendship quietly collapses when children arrive, that this happens to very nearly everyone, and that nobody mentions it because it sounds like complaining about a good life.
Bouquets of Flowers
"Thanks to the neighbor at Woodcrest and Towne Hill Road for spreading joy on Sunday by gifting bouquets of flowers. That was such a lovely gesture. It made my day!"
Nasty Spill at the Bridge
Yesterday, I was bike riding down Texas Hill and took a nasty spill at the bridge, near Hayden Hill East. Jeff saw me in his rearview mirror and turned quickly around to check on me. I was pretty dazed and in rough shape. He helped me load my bike into his white pickup and drove me back home.
A Dog-Rescuing Neighbor
Diane in Montpelier is grateful for superheroes. We thought her recent post thanking a dog-rescuing neighbor was well worth a share:
I just want to let everyone know that modern-day superheroes are real.
The World Hasn't Stopped
A small group of men have settled in under my shady carport here in Hardwick Village once a week. We meet on Wednesday mornings at 8 AM for an hour or so, drink iced tea or coffee, eat a snack, and visit with no agenda except to enjoy each other's company.
Good Citizen Challenge
he volunteers at the elementary school, she volunteers at the food shelf in Milton, sorting food and growing vegetables, and she volunteers at Age Well. She also takes care of me sometimes when my parents need help.
My Daughter's Bake Sale
Annie posted on behalf of her daughter to promote a Sunday afternoon bake sale in Shelburne to help earn some money for a guitar. Then, she wrote this appreciation. We thought it was well worth a share:
Connect Neighbors
The time with them in their final days/weeks was extremely special, and we are the lucky ones who got to be at their bedsides (both) when they left for the next realm.
Shed Some Old Treasures
The rods I offered were from my personal history of fly fishing, starting with my father 70 years ago. Dad was not flashy or one to chase fleeting trends, but he would buy tools and equipment as the best he could afford. Some of those old rods were his or from his father before him.
Emergency SOS Crash Sequence
First - Thank you to Vergennes Police Dept., Vergennes Fire Dept., Vergennes Area Rescue Squad, and Vermont State Police. The response was rapid and thorough. How fortunate are we to live in a community where we have dedicated women and men as first responders. Thank you!
Two weeks later...
"Thank you so much to everyone who reached out and offered help. I was lucky enough to find a beautiful little blue bike that is absolutely perfect for me! What used to be a 30-minute trip now takes only 5 minutes, which has made a huge difference in my daily life.
I live on Mud City Loop
"I live on Mud City Loop, and I have a 3-year-old trained steer who is a little bit scared of bikes.
"I'm hoping someone (or a few someones) who rides the loop could spend 15 minutes riding past us while we do different things and see if that helps. Any morning would work for us. Any time between 6-10 am
Know about Little Free Libraries?
Know about Little Free Libraries? Rusty posted about this Not-So-Little Free Library in his Randolph Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:
Night Before Prom
"My daughter and her friends went to Shelburne Tap House Saturday night before prom and were surprised to learn that someone had paid for their dinner. They were so appreciative, and we want to say a big THANK YOU to this kind and generous person. You really made their night."
The Weather Was Crisp But Beautiful
"When it came time to play the National Anthem, the announcer ran into technical difficulties and couldn't get the recording to work. Without missing a beat, a group of young men in the BFA crowd began singing the first verse of 'The Star-Spangled Banner.' Within moments, the rest of the crowd joined in, and soon a chorus of voices rose above the grandstand.