BY MATT SCHOOLEYWith a group of seventh-graders presenting in front of State House members, it wasn’t the students who were nervous. “I was shaking like a leaf the entire time,” said Lurgio seventh-grade teacher Jen Wells. “They were much more calm and relaxed and I was very nervous. I wasn’t even presenting, but I ...

BY PATRICK O’NEILLWhen Kaitlyn Stone was looking for something to do this summer, spending a week in Mexico at a pet clinic was probably the last thing to cross her mind. But after helping spay and neuter almost 200 pets and learning about issues of animal treatment and euthanasia, she now wouldn’t trade the experience for anything ...

BY SUSAN CLARKWhen Ed Cande was growing up in Massachusetts, he often did his share of chores on his uncle’s and grandfather’s farms. “I helped out in the fields and the milking before going to school,” he said. Now, he spends a few hours a week volunteering at The Educational Farm at Joppa Hill – and joining him in ...

BY CHRIS QUARTARONEFor Gloria MacVane, it doesn’t get much better than helping a local family find the right pet. For nearly 13 years, MacVane of Bedford has been a volunteer adoption counselor at the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire in Bedford helping match cats to people looking to open their homes with love of a ...

BY CHRIS QUARTARONE Between escaped sheep and bear sightings, Bedford animal control officer Steven Paul has been busy lately. All of his animal activities started back in June when Scott and Susan Adams of Amherst were transporting four of their sheep across a road to a field to graze. The Adamses, along with a few friends, picked up each ...

BY JENN McDOWELL The Animal Rescue League houses hundreds of abandoned, surrendered and rescued animals and finds homes for them in surrounding communities, but few people know that they do much more. The League has a “no kill” philosophy, so unlike many shelters, there is no time limit on how long an animal stays at the shelter. ...

(Editor’s note: During the month of August, we will spotlight volunteers in our towns. This is the first in a weekly series celebrating those who work, without pay, to better their communities.) BY IRENE LABOMBARDE In the 15 years she’s lived in town, Jayne Spaulding has volunteered countless hours trying to make Bedford and the ...

BY KEVIN SHALVEYWinnie the pony will do many things for you this year, including sending you a birthday card with a hoof-print signature. That’s one of the benefits if you “adopt” her. As part of a holiday donation drive, the Educational Farm at Joppa Hill is offering a chance for children or parents to adopt one of five farm ...