ANDOVER – Selectwoman Joan Carney said Wednesday that people are still calling the town office in hopes of getting one of the cats found unattended at an elderly couple’s home here.

“Both lines have been ringing steady for two weeks. It’s just unbelievable,” Carney said.

Upon learning that Andover’s Board of Selectmen had discovered between 70 and 100 friendly felines in a resident’s remote home earlier this month, people from as far away as Kittery and Portland have called seeking a cat.

So far, Carney said, selectmen have found homes for 36 cats.

“People who have adopted the cats say the pets are wonderful,” she added.

Three weeks ago, dozens of cats were discovered after the couple who owns them were sent to a nursing home and a hospital. Since that time, the wife has been admitted to a local nursing home to recuperate from a broken hip and the husband has been sent home.

After the initial bout of trapping excitement, many of the felines scattered or hid out until things settled down, Carney said. But someone went to the house last Sunday and found three cats, so more Have-a-Heart traps have been set out to catch additional kitties.

According to Carney, interim Andover Animal Control Officer Osman “Ozzie” Hart, who is also Bethel’s animal officer, has a list of 100 names of people wanting to adopt the cats.

Peanut butter

off school menu

WOODSTOCK – Upon learning that a student attending SAD 44’s Woodstock School has a life-threatening allergy to peanuts and nuts, officials took action.

“As a peanut-sensitive school, peanut butter will not be served in the hot lunch program,” stated Assistant Principal Jolene M. Littlehale in the school newsletter.

Students, however, can still bring peanut butter for lunch, but parents have been advised to make sure their child washes his or her face and hands before going to school if they have peanut butter for breakfast.

“All students and staff will be starting a hand-washing program after snack and lunch time, so I expect we will also see healthier students,” the newsletter states.

Students and parents have been advised to contact school and registered nurse Chris Cole at 824-2136, ext. 312, regarding questions and education about food allergies.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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