Friday, February 4, 2005 — Following up on a story that we broke last week, The Millsberry Gazette has taken to the streets for more local reaction to Millsberry's top headline: the upcoming arrival of snowboarding champion Kelly Kimbell! For those unfamiliar with Kimbell, Kelly began snowboarding at the early age of five, and still practices daily whenever and wherever there is enough snow. Since Millsberry is within easy access of local mountains, Kelly has decided to move close to where great snowboarding action is... Millsberry!

Mayor Oliver Trumble is very proud of the fact that such a prestigious young athlete is moving to Millsberry. "I'm sure everyone in Millsberry is just as excited as I am," Mayor Trumble told us during an interview. "I've done a little research on Kelly, and found that this terrific athlete has won nine trophies in statewide competitions, and has come in second at the national level!"

Mayor Trumble is correct in believing everyone in Millsberry is just as excited. At Millsberry Academy, the school grounds are buzzing with the news. "I can't wait to meet Kelly! I bet he's totally cool!" Joseph Lauer exclaimed when we interviewed him. "A lot of us are really hoping he'll teach us a few moves!"

Rick Stark seemed equally excited. "Just think... this time next week, I might be hitting the slopes alongside the state snowboarding champ! Oh man, I hope I can keep up with him, but I really doubt it. I bet he can take the toughest slopes on Mount Millsberry with ease."

"Kelly is SO lucky; he hasn't even moved in yet, and he's already the most popular kid in school!" Tim Luther told us. "It must be nice. I bet there'll be a legion of girls swooning with every move that he makes. Oh well... maybe he'll be nice and show me how to do a three-sixty!"

Speaking of the female students of Millsberry Academy, their level of excitement is high as well. "I wish the boys would remember that girls can like snowboarding, too!" Laura Sarendon told us. "Whenever my friends and I mention how cool it will be to meet a snowboarding state champ, they just look at us like we're nuts! I guess they think we can't appreciate snowboarding as much as they do, but that's not true at all."

In view of the mounting excitement, the Gazette will certainly be covering Kelly's arrival next week. So check back with your favorite local newspaper for more information on Millsberry's soon-to-be new celebrity!

---

Yolanda Fowlkes, postmistress of the Millsberry Post Office, would like to announce that Valentine's Day greetings are now available at the Millsberry Post Office. As she indicated last December, numerous great choices are available for anyone who would like to send a greeting to a friend (or other special person) in Millsberry or anywhere else! Ms. Fowlkes assures us that long lines are expected on the 14th, so she advises everyone to avoid the rush and send their greetings early!