🌱 'Stories From Ukraine' Presentation + Why Home Prices Are Rising

Hey, Bedford! It's Paula Constance, your host of the Bedford Patch newsletter.

Today, April 12, is National Big Wind Day. It's observed on this day every year in the U.S. to commemorate "the highest natural wind gust measured on the Earth’s surface. On the afternoon of April 12, 1934, the Mount Washington Observatory recorded winds at 231 miles per hour." Yes— Mount Washington, New Hampshire!

Let's start Wednesday with a quick look at what's happening in Bedford today, including these stories:

• "Stories From Ukraine" with Brian Nolen and John Fitzgerald.
• Home prices are inching higher, despite higher interest rates.
• Michael Wardman has a new position in Rockport, Maine.
• Police celebrate emergency dispatchers/Communication Specialist heroes.

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But first, today's weather:

Variable clouds; windy, mild. High: 68 Low: 51.

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Here are the top stories in Bedford today:

1. Home prices are inching higher, despite steadily rising interest rates. Greg Powers, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan in Bedford, "said he has seen a resurgence of buyers since mid-February." One reason for the rise in prices is low housing inventory. Since last year, new listings are down nearly 26 percent. Powers noted, "You can't sell what you don't have." (Yahoo News)
2. Brian Nolen and John Fitzgerald of Bedford will hold a multimedia presentation: "Stories From Ukraine: Delivering Aid In a Time of War" in the McAllaster Room of the Bedford Public Library on April 18 at 6 p.m. The co-founders of NH4Ukraine.org will share their experiences and first-hand stories from their four humanitarian aid trips to Poland and Ukraine. A question and answer session will follow, and refreshments will be served. Find out more here: (Patch Neighbor Posts)
3. Thank you, police dispatchers/Communication Specialists. This week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Appreciation Week, and the Bedford Police Department thanked its behind-the-scenes dispatchers/Communication Specialists. These heroes "undergo hours of training" and often have to work nights, weekends and holidays. The Bedford Police Department said, "It takes a special person to be a Communications Specialist and we are extremely thankful for our incredible team." (Bedford NH Police Department via Facebook)
4. A shoutout to Michael Wardman in his new position as assistant code enforcement officer in Rockport, Maine. Wardman was a senior software engineer in Bedford from 1997 to 2003. He was one of two people hired for Rockport positions on Monday. Congratulations! (Courier-Gazette & Camden Herald)

From our sponsor:

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Today in Bedford:

• SAT -Juniors - Bedford High School (All Day)
• Light-Up Wine Bottle Painting (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Remembering Lt. James Clark: "Members of the Bedford Fire Department paused this morning to remember Lt. James Clark. We are thankful for his friendship, professionalism and dedication. Rest easy Lt., your legacy lives on at BFD." (Bedford Fire Department, NH via Facebook)
• Scholarships available: "The Bedford Men’s Club is proud to offer scholarships to graduating high school seniors from Bedford. Scholarships are open to all high school seniors who live in Bedford and attend any high school as well as home-schooled students. Each..." (Patch Neighbor Posts)
• Lace up those hiking boots: "Lace up those hiking boots🥾, we've got ground to cover. Whether it's a new nature trail or breaking through barriers, curiosity and determination will lead the way to amazing things! What adventure are you mapping out this year? Keep ex..." (Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains via Facebook)
• Leftover Peeps: "Do you have a lot of leftover 'Peeps' from Easter yesterday? Miss Jane has an idea for how you can use them! 🤣🤣🤣 What do you think???" (Town of Bedford Recreation Department via Facebook)
• Silent Auction: "You can't win if you don't play! We have some AMAZING Silent Auction items! Join us Friday, April 14 for Family Fun Night at RBS! See the RBS website for details!" (Riddle Brook School, Bedford NH via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Polaris Charter School — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Great New England Specialty Food & Artisan Show (April 15)
• Bidding For Paws Online Silent Auction to benefit the Animal Rescue League of NH (April 16)
• Run2Rescue 5K (May 7)
• Add your event

That's it for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning!

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a contributing writer, author, and media producer. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking or watching fireflies in the sultry moments before sunset. You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Bedford Patch newsletter? Contact me at paula.constance.patch@gmail.com