Algonquin teen takes 2nd in Free Flow snowboard tourney

Algonquin's own Kirby Kelly took the second spot in her division at the inaugural Gatorade Free Flow Tour Finals, a competition that invited the best of the best amateur skiers and snowboarders to compete at Mount Snow Resort in West Dover, Vermont.

The competition ran from Thursday to Sunday and Kirby, 14, competed in the women's snowboarding superpipe, in which a snowboarder rides on skateboard ramp covered in snow and performs a series of does tricks in the air.

If she had taken first place, Kirby would have competed at the Winter Dew Tour against professional skiers and snowboarders.

Kirby, 14, got to the tour finals by winning one of 10 stops on the Gatorade Free Flow Tour - in January, she won a tour snowboard superpipe competition at Tyrol Basin Ski and Snowboard Area in Wisconsin.

She trains locally at Raging Buffalo snowboard park in Algonquin.

Even though Kirby didn't win the big prize, I hope she takes heart in knowing that reaching the finals and competing on the same courses as professionals are both things for which she should be proud.

Go get 'em next time, Kirby.

Calling all fruit vendors: Although it doesn't start until May, the Downtown Algonquin Partnership merchants' association is already gearing up for the Farmer's Market and needs vendors and volunteers.

The farmers market runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday in a public parking lot on South Harrison Street, just one block east of Route 31.

The market ends Oct. 9 with the annual Old Time Country Harvest Festival.

Organizers are now signing up vendors. Those interested in selling fresh produce, plants and flowers from a booth at a full-season discount should ring Gabriele Reego at (847) 458-9779.

If you'd like to volunteer, visit downtownalgonquin.org.

Shout out to...: I have to thank Ben Spoerl, a manager at AutoZone at the McLean Boulevard location in Elgin, for helping me change the taillight that indicates what direction you're going to turn.

It's an act that saved me a boatload of money.

I'm completely helpless when it comes to car stuff and I was originally going to go to the mechanic, but couldn't make the appointment because the morning bond call ran a lot later than usual.

My boss suggested I buy the light from AutoZone, which I did, and Spoerl, seeing how clueless I was, offered to change it for me the next day when it wouldn't be snowing - I stood by and watched so I know how to do it next time.

Thanks again, Spoerl for going above and beyond your job description and may you be a success in film production - he will soon be studying the craft at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Lenore Adkins covers Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Pingree Grove, Cary and Fox River Grove. To reach her, send an e-mail to ladkins@dailyherald.com.