Thursday, March 23, 2006 — Amateur archaeologists from all over Millsberry have flocked to the Colhurst Tunnels in search of buried treasure! In the first week alone, treasure hunters have uncovered some remarkable finds, and according to the newly discovered Colhurst diary, there is still plenty more to be found in the tunnels beneath Golden Valley!

To commemorate the tunnels' grand opening, some teachers from Millsberry Academy brought a group of students for an archaeological expedition. "This brings back memories of my first archaeological dig," said Michelle Courtois, a history teacher at the Academy. "The most important lesson I learned during that expedition was that you must have the right tools for the job, and strong and sturdy is always best! We only had a few weeks to conduct that dig. Fortunately, the Colhurst Tunnels will be open indefinitely."

Coach Danner was pleased to see so many students giving their muscles a workout by digging, but he also noticed several diggers were becoming exhausted. "It's important to remember that when you really work your muscles, they need some time to recover. Eating well can help you regain your strength, but adequate rest is also necessary. Patience is the answer!" Coach Danner also recommended that visitors read the rules for digging that are posted before entering the tunnels.

The Academy's students seemed very enthusiastic about the trip. "I visited the tunnels with my class on opening day, and I've gone digging on my own every day since!" Abbie Eluhanla, of Metro Park, told the Gazette. "I found a beautiful kimono that I just can't wait to wear!"

Other visitors to the tunnels have found such items as a dinosaur skull and an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus. Eager young explorers have been excited to show off their finds, all of which are historical artifacts from Colhurst's many journeys around the globe. One visitor, however, found something much different... and much more mysterious.

"I dug up an old safe," Petri Kettunen, of Lakeview, told the Gazette. "It might be full of treasure... but I have no idea how to open it! I'll keep working at it, though."

Another mystery was revealed when a visitor reported receiving a treasure map from a mystifying stranger. "I was digging in the tunnels when another treasure-hunter came up to me and gave me a map," said Allison Pace, of Westridge. "At first, I thought he was just a regular Millsberry resident, but when I left the tunnels that day, I happened to glance at a picture of Cecil Colhurst in Colhurst House, and it struck me... the person who gave me the map looked very much like a young Cecil Colhurst!"

There has been no further word from Miss Pace on where the treasure map leads, but Colhurst House's caretaker, Daniella Rodriguez, is sure that it is only the first of many mysteries that will be unearthed in the tunnels. "These tunnels have been here for one hundred years, so they hold many secrets. It will take time to find all of the answers. After all, Colhurst searched for decades to acquire his vast collection of artifacts... patience and perseverance is the key!"

---

Have you noticed that the snow has melted and little flowers are beginning to peek out from the once frozen ground? If so, then you've probably realized that spring is here! And you know what spring means, right? Spring-cleaning! It's not all hard work, though, because now that the weather is fine, yard sales will be moving back into front yards across Millsberry. So clean out your basement and attic, and get ready to hold a yard sale of your own!