K-County Jr. Roller Derby team member is in her eighth year

in Mackinaw City.” cessfully pass.”

“I’m in my eighth year playing for K-County Jr. Roller Derby,” stated RaeLyn Gibbs, Rochester. “Our team is based in Kosciusko County and practices are on Sundays at Eastlake Skating Center in Warsaw. Since we’re a traveling team we have both girls and boys from Fulton, Marshall, St. Joe, Kosciusko and Allen Counties. Some of our competitions are in Kentucky, Illinois and Michigan. In 2019 we competed

Her mother Amy Mast is Gibbs’ number one fan. “It was First Friday in Warsaw when the adult league, the Lake City Roller Dolls, were passing out fliers,” Mast said. “They were starting a junior league and I thought RaeLyn would be a perfect fit.”

When asked what the object of the game is, Gibbs remarked, “There are four blockers and one jammer on each team. The jammer tries to get through the pack of blockers and they get a point for each blocker they suc-

Although the blockers are not allowed to use their forearms, they can become quite intimidating with their shoulders, hips and buttocks. “When I was a blocker and skating backwards, a jammer was attempting to get past me and slammed into my right shoulder. My feet came up and I hit my head against the floor. Another time, I hit a skate wheel with my mouth and suffered a busted lip.” Being a roller derby queen is not for the faint of heart.

Just because she suffers a few scrapes and injuries, Gibbs is not deterred. She’s in it for the long haul. “I love the sport. It develops upper-body strength and good balance.”

It’s also been instrumental in developing close friendships for Gibbs. “I love my teammates. I look forward to practices simply because I love being around them and touching base each week.”

Team members come up with their own handles and numbers. “My coach’s name is Buckwyld Barbie. Because of my red hair, I’ve chosen the name Cherry Bomb. We can come up with any name we want. We just can’t have two people on the team with the same name or number.”

Gibbs encourages young people to come to practice at 10 a.m. on Sundays. “For $5 a young person can try it out and see if they like skating on the team. The skates and gear are provided for visitors. All they need to bring is the mouth guard.”

Those who are veterans want their own skates and gear. “We use quad skates and it’s important that we have those we are most comfortable with and accustomed to wearing, as well as the correct wheels and toe stops. The jerseys are provided, and participants can wear their own pants or shorts.”

She’s a junior at Rochester High School. “My friends think it’s pretty cool that I’m part of a roller derby team. But that’s not the only interest I have. I love painting pictures, am in the choir, and was in the chorus of our high school musical, The Wizard of Oz.”

This year Gibbs was a finalist in the Psi Iota Xi and Honeywell Arts and Entertainment Street Banner Competition. “My banner featured Alice in Wonderland going down a tree-lined path filled with flowers and mushrooms to the Queen of Heart’s castle.”

Mentone Tractor, Engine, Garden Tractor Show & Swap set for June 2-3

The Annual Mentone Tractor, Engine, Garden Tractor Show & Swap will run Friday and Saturday, June 2-3, at Mentone Airport, 12296 W. 600S. Event times are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., June 2, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 3.

The 2023 show will feature International, along with the Northern Indiana IH Collectors Chapter 33 “Red Power Review.” All makes, models, colors, implements or anything old and unusual are welcome.

Activities for kids and adults include a pedal pull, an on-site blacksmith and Tractor Dyno. A door prize raffle for exhibitors and vendors will be held Saturday, June 3, at 5 p.m. (Must be present to win). All vendors are welcome. Vendor spots are $5 per day.

Local FFA chapters will be serving a variety of food, and homemade ice cream will also be available.

Fifty camping sites are available: $20 per night with electric and water; $10 per night for primitive. Call Tiffany Adams, (574) 3760347, to secure a spot.

For more information, contact Travis Adams at (574) 376-0394 or ihfarm92@yahoo.com.