Annual Hunt Helps Family Heal After Tornado's Devastating Blow

GREENSBURG, Kan. (MCT) - For Jerry Smith, the Kansas pheasant opener Saturday amounted to one more step in the healing process.

Just six months ago, his life was turned upside-down when a tornado ripped through his hometown of Greensburg in southwest Kansas. His longtime home was destroyed; he lost friends, and a good portion of his neighborhood was leveled.

But Saturday was proof that life goes on. When the pheasant season opened, Smith was back on his farm just a few miles outside of Greensburg as host of the traditional hunt that has become a big part of his life.

"My family has hosted opening-day hunts since 1956," said Smith, 68. "After the tornado...