Tom tries to catch a fish in the ocean off Bermuda, while Becky looks on. (Photo submitted by Megan at “Visit Hannibal)

Sparky, a Brittany Spaniel owned by Jane Huelsmeyer, is practicing the tire jump at K & L Arena during the Quincy Kennel Club’s agility class.  (Photo by Gerald Hackamack)

The photos are of Melissa Fantz and Skye Finney.  Skye is a second grade student at Washington School in Melissa Fantz’s room.  Melissa is the adult in the long sleeve black Washington Wolve Sweatshirt.  The other photos are of first grade teacher Patsy Cornwell and former student Erica Fee who is a second grader.

To All-
Most of you know me so well and know that I would do anything in my power for one of my students.  Well this morning I believe my commitment to my students showed in a big way.  We have started a new program in my school which rewards students for positive behavior.  When we catch a student following the rules they earn a PAWS tickets.  They get a chance each week to buy things with their tickets.  Yesterday one of my students who had been saving her tickets (150) was able to buy a coupon which entitled her to style a teacher’s hair of her choice.  You will never guess who she picked….Yep it was me.  Enjoy the pictures!  The worst part is we have a field trip to the Community Theater to see a play today!  Another student in my class chose her first grade teacher and styled her hair today too.
Have a good laugh on me!
Melissa

Fr. Don, blessing Lauren Coy’s kitten. Her brother, Steven, is looking on. (Photo submitted by Vicky Mitchell)

St. Francis Church had their annual Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, Oct. 4th in the grassy yard
across from the church. Our new pastor, Fr. Don Blaeser, and associates Fr. Tom Shaunessy, and Fr. James Wheeler were all there to Individually bless each pet. We started out with a prayer for all animals, and then the priests went around and prayed for each pet and sprinkled them with holy water. Dogs, cat, and bunnies were blessed. In years past we’ve had fish, snakes, hamsters, and lizards. We did have one dog who needed an extra blessing because he thought Fr. Tom’s foot was a fire hydrant!

This is a tradition of the Franciscan Friars in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, who is the patron saint of animals and who also began the tradition of a live Christmas crèche.

Hannibal Free Public Library’s Chess Tournament was a success on Saturday
afternoon, September 25.  Phil Walker and Vladimir Nadtotchi were winners of
the two adult quads and were awarded trophies.  The three players in the
children’s quad tied and drew for the trophy.  Trophies were donated by N &
H Stamp & Marking of Hannibal.  Photo credit:  Library staff photo

Senior High 10th grade students take part in the “Big Read-In” sponsored by the Quincy Public Library at the Senior High reading hour on Thursday, September 24th.  BIG READ activities continue around the community through October 15th!    Photo submitted by Julie Boll

The Griggsville Perry Lady Tornadoes Volleyball Team won the Meredosia-Chambersburg High School Invitational Volleyball Tournament held August 31st thru September 5th.  The Tornadoes defeated Franklin, Triopia, Memedosia, Pleasant Hill, and West Central with only two games in every match.

Pictured left to right back row Asst.Coach Leah Wilke, April Bolton, Kyra Kessinger, Marlee Bradshaw, Lexie Despain, Lacey Emrick, Coach Maleah Phipps
left to right front row Alex Moore, Addie Freeman, Miranda Whitaker, Mariah Richard, Rhea Hobson.  Photo submitted by Judith Bradshaw

By DAVID ADAM
Herald-Whig Staff Writer

Firefighters are accustomed to receiving the occasional call to help someone
get their cat out of a tree, but the crew at Tri-Township Fire Department
received a call last Sunday to get a cat out of a much more challenging
predicament.
Three firefighters spent between 30 minutes and an hour dislodging a kitten
from some type of motor assembly. The kitten was discovered near Mean Street
Customs on Gardner Expressway.
“I just don’t know how that cat got his head stuck in there,” said
Firefighter David Douglas, who along with Firefighter Casey Otten and
Assistant Chief Darren Smith helped rescue the cat from its metal prison.
Barbara Beers and Mary Thomas of Quincy were near their nephew’s business
when they said they heard a kitten squealing. The trapped cat wasn’t alone,
for its mother was there by its side.
The two women unsuccessfully tried to dislodge it for about 45 minutes.
“We worked and worked and worked, and he just wouldn’t budge,” said Beers.
“I actually called Blessing Hospital, and they told me we needed to call the
animal warden. But since it was a Sunday, we couldn’t reach the animal
warden.
“I remembered how the Tri-Township firefighters helped my mother one time
when she had fallen, so I called them and asked if they could help.”
The two women loaded the 150-pound cast iron object in their vehicle and
drove it to Tri-Township’s facility on North 54th Street. Otten and Douglas
placed the object on the tailgate in the back of a truck and went back to
work on rescuing the cat, with Smith joining them after about 15 minutes.
“We were trying to be gentle, but boy, was he in there tight,” Douglas said.
Eventually, the firefighters decided to cover the cat’s eyes and then doused
it with liquid dishwashing soap. After a few more tugs and pulls, the cat
popped out and was relatively unharmed.
“We had to take pictures of it, because we didn’t think anyone was going to
believe us,” Douglas said.
A friend of Thomas’ eventually took the cat.
“That momma cat will never know what happened, but he ended up getting a
good home,” said Beers.

The 24th Annual Arbor Day Celebration was held on Friday the 24th of April
at Monroe School. Principal Stratman, Ms. Taylor and her 2nd grade class celebrated by singing a rap song to commemorate the day along with Mayor Springs reading of the Proclamation making the last Friday in April Arbor Day. Others in attendance were, Kenny Cantrell, Dir. of Admin. for City, Mike Goehl City Forester and many parents of the children.  Photo and caption submitted by Jane Smith