Who: Trina Kinstler, 19, of Burlington, daughter of Mike and Tammy Kinstler.Ms. Kinstler is a sophomore media communications major at Asbury College who loves Minnie Mouse.

        On display: One hundred and seventy eight stuffed Minnies (and a few Mickeys), plus figurines, snow globes, pillows, pictures, slippers, socks, wristwatches and assorted items of jewelry, all bearing the likeness of her favorite female rodent.

Trina Kinstler with her collection of Minnie Mouse toys (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        Where: The bulk of the collection resides in Ms. Kinstler's bedroom, but has flowed into another spare bedroom, and a few pieces have found their way into her dorm room.

        “I got my first Minnie at Walt Disney World when I was 3 years old,” Ms. Kinstler explains. “She's a Baby Minnie. My mom wanted me to get the original, but I won.”

        “I ended up getting them both,” she says with a giggle.

        “It's a stuffed toy,” she continues. “She's pink and it looks like she is crawling. She used to have a bib, but I lost it. It's sad, because she is really worn looking. But that's just because she's been loved. Her nose has been replaced several times. Right now it's navy blue.”

        Sweet dreams: “I slept with her when I was little,” Ms. Kinstler says with a grin. “But now I have another one that I sleep with on a regular basis. I got that one when I was 7 years old. It is 2 feet tall and has its own baby clothes.”

        Squeaky surprise: “That Minnie is my favorite,” she admits. “One year we went to Walt Disney World for Christmas, and I really wanted to take her with me. My mother said no, I couldn't bring her because we were flying and there wouldn't be room in our luggage. But, when we got to the hotel, my mom had an extra suitcase that was really light. She had said that there were towels in it, but she surprised me and brought Minnie along.”

        Best friends: Minnie has always participated in the same activities as Ms. Kinstler.

        “When I played clarinet in the Conner High School Marching Band,” she explains, “I always had a Minnie to match whatever show we were doing. For example, we did an American show and I had an American Minnie to go with it. We did a Southern show and one of my friend's mother made a Southern belle dress for one of my Minnies.”

        Big reaction: Ms. Kinstler gets a kick out of showing friends her private Walt Disney World. “They say, " Wow! Where did you get all of these?' Plus, my collection is special because no two are alike.”

        It takes willpower: For now, Ms. Kinstler is limiting herself toeight Minnies in her dorm room.

        “After all,” she laughs, “I've got to have somewhere to sleep. But, once I get my own house, I plan on having a whole Minnie Mouse room.”
        Share your prize possessions with Marsie Hall Newbold by mail: c/o the Enquirer; e-mail marsolete@aol.com.

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