LETTER PRODUCES DISTANT RESPONSE

NEW HAMBURG -- A letter attached to a helium balloon launched by Kelso C-7 fourth-grader Amy Kern in September brought a response from Indiana this week.

"We were practicing writing friendly letters," said Laurie Pleimann, Kern's fourth-grade teacher. "Helium balloons were launched with the letter attached. It was just a fun exercise. I don't think we really expected to hear back."

Seven months later, Owensville, Ind., farmer Dan Newton wrote back. He found the letter, in pieces, stuck inside his combine.

"He found it when he was cleaning out his combine," Pleimann said. "He said it took them a while to piece it together."

The farmer wrote about his family and grandchildren and included a map marking the spot where the letter was found.