Olympic Themed Contest
Susannah Kerest
February 19, 2026
Front Porch Forum hosts online newsletters in every town in Vermont. Neighbors, nonprofits, businesses, and government officials can post messages, share news, get advice, make recommendations, announce events, sell items, and much more. It's all about helping neighbors to connect and build community.
This past week, FPF ran an Olympic-themed contest, inviting Vermonters to submit "gold medalists" for community building in their local community.
Here are just a few:
Wade awarded a "gold medal" to the Tinmouth Mountain School 5th & 6th graders. "Almost every Friday afternoon this school year, these students have been up for whatever adventure we could present. Way back in early December, we raided the TMS basement to pull up all the cross-country ski gear that seemed usable. They cleaned shoes (including removing small animal droppings!!) and got themselves ready to go out and XC ski -- only to have a cold spell that didn't allow us to go out, followed by a thaw that meant we couldn't, only to go back to frigid temperatures once it snowed enough again. When we finally did get out on the cross-country skis for the first time this past Friday, they were full of laughter and joy as ski pole straps broke (mine included), two soles separated from boots, and one ski cracked in half. We had great fun!"
Wei Ming gave top scores to a neighbor in the Brandon Forum. "We moved into a home on Kimball Road, and we immediately got a visit from Kurt Kimball, who introduced himself as the third generation of Kimballs to live in the area. He quickly offered us newbies from California help in adjusting to the winter weather, and has frequently offered help, food, wood, and--of course!--maple syrup. We feel so grateful that Kurt makes it his business to watch over us and make sure we are safe."
Margaret's community-building champion was announced in the Essex Forum, "Shortly moving here, we discovered the Maple Street Park playgroup run by a very sweet person named Laura. It was here that we met multiple moms who ended up becoming our core group of friends. Laura coordinated Valentine's Day events for the kids, a holiday party, and countless bounce house days. We absolutely loved it. I cannot emphasize enough how finding this group changed our lives for the better."
To read about some more local champions, check out Front Porch Forum's blog at: blog.frontporchforum.com.
This past week, FPF ran an Olympic-themed contest, inviting Vermonters to submit "gold medalists" for community building in their local community.
Here are just a few:
Wade awarded a "gold medal" to the Tinmouth Mountain School 5th & 6th graders. "Almost every Friday afternoon this school year, these students have been up for whatever adventure we could present. Way back in early December, we raided the TMS basement to pull up all the cross-country ski gear that seemed usable. They cleaned shoes (including removing small animal droppings!!) and got themselves ready to go out and XC ski -- only to have a cold spell that didn't allow us to go out, followed by a thaw that meant we couldn't, only to go back to frigid temperatures once it snowed enough again. When we finally did get out on the cross-country skis for the first time this past Friday, they were full of laughter and joy as ski pole straps broke (mine included), two soles separated from boots, and one ski cracked in half. We had great fun!"
Wei Ming gave top scores to a neighbor in the Brandon Forum. "We moved into a home on Kimball Road, and we immediately got a visit from Kurt Kimball, who introduced himself as the third generation of Kimballs to live in the area. He quickly offered us newbies from California help in adjusting to the winter weather, and has frequently offered help, food, wood, and--of course!--maple syrup. We feel so grateful that Kurt makes it his business to watch over us and make sure we are safe."
Margaret's community-building champion was announced in the Essex Forum, "Shortly moving here, we discovered the Maple Street Park playgroup run by a very sweet person named Laura. It was here that we met multiple moms who ended up becoming our core group of friends. Laura coordinated Valentine's Day events for the kids, a holiday party, and countless bounce house days. We absolutely loved it. I cannot emphasize enough how finding this group changed our lives for the better."
To read about some more local champions, check out Front Porch Forum's blog at: blog.frontporchforum.com.
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