Three local state troopers were among 22 members of the state police, seven members of the New Bedford Police Department and four civilians honored last week for contributions to public safety, acts of bravery, and police work beyond the call of duty, said a state police press release.
Trooper Edward Troy of Andover received the Medal of Merit and troopers Anthony Alestock of Haverhill and Joseph Hickey of Bradford received Medals of Lifesaving last Friday.
The Medal of Merit recognizes outstanding achievement. The Medal of Lifesaving recognizes actions to save a life.
The awards ceremony, at the Grand Staircase of the Statehouse, was led by Secretary of Public Safety and Security Kevin Burke and Col. Mark Delaney, superintendent of the state police.
Things are hopping at the MSPCA
METHUEN — November is Adopt-a-Rabbit Month at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at Nevins Farm.
Rabbits are the third most surrendered animal at the MSPCA, behind cats and dogs. To stimulate adoptions this month, the $75 fee, which includes spaying or neutering, will be reduced to $25. Donors will cover the balance.
The MSPCA at Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, holds rabbit care seminars, teaching families about basic housing, nutrition and general well-being. Rabbits are easily trained and can be taught to use a litter box and walk on a leash. They can even perform agility tricks, the MSPCA said in a press release.
View available rabbits at www.mspca.org/nevins, or contact the adoption center staff at 978-687-7453, ext. 6101, for more information.
Used bike collection at church Saturday
ANDOVER — Saturday, South Church will host its 10th annual Day of Service, sending volunteers to nonprofit groups around the Merrimack Valley.
In conjunction, the church also will host its fourth annual drive to collect used but serviceable adult and children's bicycles for Bikes Not Bombs, a nonprofit group that trains inner city youth to repair and recycle more than 6,000 bicycles a year.
Some bikes are sold, but 70 percent are shipped to economic development projects in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. Some bikes are used for recreation, others make it possible for someone to get to work or to bring produce and goods home from the market. The group has collected some 37,000 bikes in 25 years.
The collection will be at the church, 41 Central St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Scott Helmers is organizing the drive.
"The South Church bike drive is BNB's only Massachusetts bicycle collection north of Boston this fall, so this is an excellent opportunity to get those old bikes out of your basement or garage," said Helmers.
Bikes Not Bombs encourages an optional donation of $10 per bicycle to defray part of the storage, processing and shipping costs, which average $20 per bike. Donations are tax deductible.
Andover businesswoman Lillian Montalto has once again donated use of a truck to pick up bikes Thursday and Friday for people who can't drop them at the church Saturday.
For information, contact Helmers at shelmers@harvardcomputing.com or 978-800-4590, ext. 10.
Cub Scouts seek food donations
METHUEN — St. Monica's Cub Scout Pack 55 is teaming up with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to gather food for local families in need as part of the pack's fall service project.
The pack is running a food drive from Nov. 14 to 21. The top 10 items needed are peanut butter, chunky soups, canned meats, canned tuna, canned vegetables, juice, cereal, macaroni and cheese, pasta and pasta sauce. The pack is collecting all nonperishable goods.
They will drop off collection bags throughout Methuen on Saturday, Nov. 14, and return the following Saturday, Nov. 21, to pick them up.
The pack also will march in the Methuen Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11.
