Thursday, March 9, 2006 — As mentioned previously in the Millsberry Gazette, the 100-year-old time capsule that was left behind by explorer Cecil George Colhurst has been opened at last. Citizens who were present at the capsule's opening were shocked by the sight of its contents. Rather than finding the usual collection of historical items that are often set aside for future generations, upon opening this capsule, Historical Society Curator Edna Nelson found only a single item: Colhurst's diary. Historians had concluded that the diary had been lost when the great explorer disappeared in the Maldives in 1945. Mrs. Nelson was so shocked by the discovery of the diary that she immediately began to skim through it, soon finding that she had another exciting announcement to make to those assembled at Colhurst House.

"I couldn't help but page through the diary as soon as I realized that it was Colhurst's," Mrs. Nelson told the Gazette. "I was afraid that people would be disappointed that the capsule didn't have any interesting trinkets from the past in it, but really, this diary is the best link of all to Millsberry's history! It creates a perfect picture of life in Millsberry before and during the Great Fire of 1905, and it also reveals Colhurst's state of mind during those long years when he was digging the tunnels beneath Golden Valley."

That's not the end of the story, however. The diary reveals the real truth behind Colhurst's eight-year digging project. "The most exciting thing is that Colhurst wasn't digging to find treasure - he was digging to bury treasure!" Mrs. Nelson announced to the crowd. "On the very last page of the diary, Mr. Colhurst wrote: 'It is my wish that upon the opening of this time capsule in the year 2006, the tunnels beneath my home will be fully renovated and made open to the citizens of Millsberry. Within those tunnels, future Millsberry residents will find some of my greatest archaeological and historical discoveries buried in the earth. This is my way of passing on my love of exploring and treasure-hunting to future generations, with the hope of forever keeping alight the spark of discovery.'"

Under Mrs. Nelson's supervision, plans are already under way to ensure the safety of the Colhurst Tunnels, and they will be open to the general public on March 16th.

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Principal Claire Jenson and Mrs. Grubbly are proud to announce Millsberry Academy's participation in National School Breakfast Week. In honor of National School Breakfast Week, all school cafeteria items will be half price from March 6th through the 13th! "Research shows that kids who eat a healthy breakfast do better in school," Ms. Jenson told the Gazette. "This week, we at the Academy are encouraging kids to 'Go Places with School Breakfast'!"