Friends and Neighbors: The Kirbys

Jeremy and Cheryl Kirby, and their three children Cody, 16, Emma, 11 and Kylee, 8, made a "pit stop" in Kimball a couple of years ago, but what began as a brief stay turned into a decision to stay in the hometown of his ancestors.

Jeremy Kirby's family ties go back more than 110 years, as his great grandparents, Frank and Iris (Bickel) Reader, were some of the first settlers in the area in the early 1900s. The young family now resides in the home on Chestnut Street where the Frank Reader family once resided.

Jeremy, son of Carla (Reader) and Rick Kirby, moved to Kimball with his parents in 1992 when he was a junior in high school. He graduated from Kimball High School in 1995 and immediately attended college in Midland, Texas, for Business Administration.

Jeremy and Cheryl met in 2001 in Omaha where Cheryl resided at that time, and they were married in March of 2003.

He said that the family has experienced a lot of different types of living throughout the years - some larger city living and some more rural.

Becoming involved and staying busy in the community prompted their decision to stay, and made that choice an easy one.

"We decided we wanted to get back to a culture that we were used to," he said. "I don't know if we ever will leave the area. I'm happy about the decision – I'm enjoying it."

Jeremy said that Kimball is in a great location; it is close to the interstate, Wyoming and Colorado. He believes that Kimball has an opportunity to grow and become a community that is worth coming to and staying in.

"You could really have a strong hub here," he added. "Someone needs to see a direction or an approach. If we say, 'Okay. What are other small communities that are successful? What are they doing and what is their outward appearance to the rest of the world?'"

In the short two years that the family has resided here, the couple has spent many hours volunteering, especially with youth sports that their children have been involved in, and as a couple.

Recently, they have helped as assistant coaches for the 6th grade girls basketball team, along with Jen Wise, which they really enjoyed.

"This year we (myself and my wife) were put into more of a board position," he said. "We are also serving on the baseball/softball club board."

The couple has assisted with the reformation of the local American Legion baseball club for the older children, a club that is named the Kimball Baseball/Softball Club.

American Legion baseball was founded in 1925, by the American Legion. The program teaches respect and equality among all young competitors regardless of income or social rankings, and Jeremy added that what sometimes is learned in the involvement of sports for young people carries over into adult life - such as getting along for the sake of the "team".

"We wanted to work on having softball for the girls beyond the age of twelve," he added.

The decision to work toward Legion baseball in the community was easy due to their two young daughters. Being present and active in all of their children's activities, is of greatest importance to the couple.

"I am usually coaching one of my children, in some sport, all year long," he said.

Among the community sports they coach are the growing youth soccer, Kimball Federation Wrestling with their youngest, Kylee, participating, and girls softball.

In regards to soccer, Kirby explained that the Kimball soccer team will now play teams in Sidney, instead of just playing Kimball area teams. Kirby would like to see soccer as a club sport.

Kirby has heard commentary from others on how active he and his wife have been since there arrival a couple of years ago, and stated that they are enjoying their involvement in the community and challenge others to be a part this community...our community.