Registration has started for the baseball season at the YMCA. Youth are excited for the nice weather and to start playing the Tri-States favorite pastime. Registration for ages 3 to 8 is open through May 2 and ages 9 to 18 is open through March 28.

Missouri Nurses Association representatives from Hannibal-LaGrange College met with state Rep. Rachel Bringer on Feb. 24. The group was at the Missouri Capitol for Nurses Advocacy Day. Pictured are, from left; (first row) Bringer; Nicole Adams of Elsbury; Brooke Campbell of  Hannibal; Yesica Peck of New London; Saydi Jiminez of Brighton, Ill.; Jennifer Carlin of Hannibal; Sarah Kendrick of Monroe City; (second row) Janae Pearce of Hannibal; Ashley Martin of Nebo, Ill.; Sara Parks of New London; Bobbi Schmidt of New London; Meredith Meier of Augusta, Ga.; Scott Siemsen of Monee, Ill.; Amber Gott of Louisiana; (third row) Stephanie Smiddy of Colchester, Ill.; Carie Sadich of St. Charles; Melinda Thompson of Quincy, Ill.; Alex Graham of Hannibal; Kara McCrea of Muscatine, Iowa; Seth Mendenhall of Brookfield; Amber Christoff of Hannibal; Suzanne Dexter of Hannibal; Kaitlyn Stegeman of Quincy; Lynn Otten of New London; (fourth row) Laura Routh, instructor, and Terri Amos, instructor.

The Ambiance was the setting on March 14 for the 5th birthday celebration for Tina Marie Snider-Birdsell. What made the birthday party unusual is that Tina-Marie is a 6-pound Yorkie-Bichon dog. The party, attended by almost 100 people, included pizza and cupcakes with Tina-Marie's photo on them. In honor of Tina-Marie's birthday, guests were asked to make a donation to the Quincy Humane Society. More than $200 was raised.

Members of the Missouri Nurses Association from Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing met with Missouri state Rep. Rachel Bringer on Feb. 24. Pictured are, from left: (first row) Bringer; Rita Yackley of Taylor, Mo.; Bethany Hoyt of Laddonia, Mo.; Shawn Neyens of Quincy; (second row)  Matthew Thomure of Hannibal, Mo.; Meredith Stark of Quincy; and Kelsey Stout of New London, Mo.

Key Club president Evan Peters, Josh Finklea, Quincy High School Assistant Principal Krista Finklea and the children the Finkleas adopted from Haiti, Tate and Abbey, show a check for $1,200 that represents a donation to Compassion International for projects that directly benefit Haiti’s children. The money was raised when QHS service clubs joined forces to host activities to raise funds for earthquake relief in Haiti. The activities included bake sales and class competitions for donations. More than 15 informational posters educated QHS students and staff about life in Haiti.

Lewis County fire departments battle it out for charity during a winter softball game on Saturday, March 6, 2010, to raise money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. The game was played in the snow and mud in Monticello, Mo. Players participated in full turnout gear. Photo submitted by Tiffany Barnes Blickhan.

Vanessa Lavery competes in the D Division of the eighth annual Bob O'Neal Junior Table Tennis Tournament.

Rose Smith, of Quincy, celebrated her birthday on March 1st with a family dinner at Mi Jalapeno.