Sam Lemonick

The Cundy's Harbor Volunteer Fire Department needs more emergency responders. Several members have recently resigned or retired from the service, and new recruits are scarce. "We're holding on by the skin of our teeth," says Fire and Rescue Chief Benjamin Wallace Jr.

Stephanie Alexander sounds tired. "We've talked about it for years and just can't seem to come up with any solution," she says. It, in this case, is the declining membership of the Merriconeag Grange.