After experiencing a certain level of pressure to find some way to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of his parents, Holabird Advocate Publisher, Jerry Hinkle spent much time in prayer looking for the answer. The answer came from his mother. Mary Hinkle told her oldest son that she and Harold Hinkle will be toasting to each other on the river, fishing with Ken and Joan Hansen. Joan served as Mary's Maid of Honor, so that is a nice touch. If they could get Maurice Ham over there to join them, that would be a real photo opportunity. We'll have more on this as events warrant.

     Yesterday when I clicked the "Publish" button yesterday, all I had planned for the next edition was to review the new Star Trek movie. I went, saw the movie, was overwhelmed in places, underwhelmed in others, and by the time it was over I was too keyed up to sleep, so I went to the Ramada to get online, relax a while and unwind. When I saw that I was tagged in a photo on Facebook, I was mildly curious. It was the photo that appears beside today's top story.

As I looked with wonder at the photograph, I remembered all kinds of things that I'd forgotten. I knew that Uncle Don's birthday was coming up, but forgot that his anniversary with Aunt LaRayne was just a few days before that on the calendar. At that moment knew that I had to move things around. It was not a milestone, and yet I felt compelled to celebrate 69 years, because you never know what will happen. And should they make it 70 years, I hope they feel like celebrating. I know the family will be.

     Then I remembered what my mother had said about her plans with my dad. It was great that they were able to arrange that weekend, and fishing together is really the most proper way to spend an anniversary for them. I know they'll enjoy themselves. The fact that it gets me off the hook as far as open house parties and card showers go is a bonus too!

Sometimes I wonder If I chose lifelong bachelorhood, or if it chose me. I remember Uncle Don telling the story of the time that he started dancing with Aunt LaRayne just as the band played "It had to be you". He knew that she was it for him. As for me, I've never really had a moment like that. I once told my dad that any woman who wanted to land me would have to really work at it. The thing was, no woman wanted to do that much work. Perhaps I didn't either. My only regret is that it took me so long to realize that it was OK to embrace lifelong bachelorhood. It works for me, just like being married works for Uncle Don and my Dad. When it stops working, then we'll see! Until then, God be with you and do the best you can!

     Kornfield county is getting some much needed rain.Some places have had more than an inch of preciptation, and the ground was so dry that it all soaked in. The corn planting seems to be right on schedule in some areas, ahead of schedule in others. The rain is a bit of a bother in the big city however. Some of the city folks rush right out when it raining to roll up the windows on their cars and trucks while our Publisher looks on, shakes his head and chuckles in haughty derision because he knew that the time to roll up windows was before the rain.
     Today being May 20, all of us would be remiss not to tell all those who are so inclined to get your corn planted. E.E. Hinkle dad. Ed Hinkle always tried to get his planted corn on his birthday. One wonders if he would be up to it at age 144. Probably not!

     The new Star Trek movie, "Into Darkness" opened to mild enthusiasm. This not withstanding, our Publisher is going to take some time away from the home office and give it the once over. Everyone he knows that has seen the movie has thus far had nothing but good things to say about it. To be sure, as with all things Trekian, this movie had had detractors as well. The only way to know if it's any good, he reckons, is to see it for himself.
     Our Publisher considers himself a trekkie, but since he's never been to a convention, or dressed like a character of that franchise, we kinda doubt that he is. Still, he has quite a few toyv phasers and a communcator, so maybe a Trekker. He'll have more on this tomorow!

     Around 11pm last night Mitchell had a brief, but productive thunderstorm. Lightning shut the electricity down at the Ramada while our Publisher was there after a hard night's work. The back-up generators kicked in almost instantly, while a total of a half inch of rain fell, most of it came down in the space of 5 minutes. Strong winds came with the storm as well. Thankfully there was no hail.

     Sometimes Holabird Advocate Publisher, Jerry Hinkle has to seek out adventure in order to have something to write about on the Front Page. When he seeks adventure, sometimes he finds it. Other times it finds him. That's what happened this morning.

     Jerry was on his way to the home office when he heard an unmistakable sound of a tire blowout. Jerry very carefully sought out a parking lot that was level to inspect the damage. Jerry suspects that the seal was blown on the left drivers side tire. After standing there in disbelief for a spell, Since there was nobody else around to so so, Jerry went right to work changing the tire. It was the first time that Jerry did so by himself. The jack that came with the car works rather nicely. The whole operation took a while but Jerry got the job done, as hard as it was. Good thing he was in the big city travelling at 25 mph rather than the middle of nowhere going 60 mph and that level ground was easily accessible. That could have been a mess! As it is, the only damage done was to the tire, and his shoulders.

     Last night I auditioned for "Grease" at the Pepsi Cola Theatre. I learned quite a bit about theatre, and about myself as it turns out. For sure I'm not as young as I used to be. It's very difficult to sing, dance, and look happy. It's impossible to "fake it" as well. I keep coming back to that Alexander Pope quote. You know the one, "Gracefully leave the stage before the sprightlier age comes on and throws you off. It's very nice to see so many young people wanting to be part of this wonderful show. The director of the show sure has her work cut out for her casting this show with so much talent to choose from. As for me, whether or not I get the part I read for, it will be a great show. I accidentally met someone who goes to Fusion, who does not share my assertion that Mitchell is "the big city". That by itself was worth going to the audition. Now I can concentrate on the new Star Trek movie! God be with you and do the best you can!

     It was reported and confirmed yesterday that Hunter Bork lost his second battle with cancer. He was 23. His brave fight won him the admiration of all who knew him, and several more that didn't. Even though he attended DWU at roughly the same time as our Publisher, none of us here at the Holabird Advocate knew that much about him. Losing one leg to cancer did not prevent him from becoming a successful part of the DWU track and field team. All of us here at the Holabird Advocate send our best thoughts wishes and prayers to his family at this difficult time. 

     As if life wasn't hard enought for the good people of the Mitchell Area Community Theatre, Holabird Advocate Publisher, Jerry Hinkle is going to be auditioning for "Grease" the ACT summer musical tonight. Hopefully everyone who couldn't make it, as was the case with Jerry, will make it to tonight's auditions.

     As mentioned previously, ever since playing an audience member in Xanadu, Jerry's feet have been itching to get back on stage. Only about half of us here at the Holabird Advocate think auditioning for a musical is a good idea. After all, Jerry can't sing and doesn't dance. When the director finds that out, it'll be all over for him. Still, as one of the greatest actors of his generation, Jerry may be able to fake it!

     Holabird Advocate Publisher, Jerry Hinkle, had a busy weekend with work, church, and relatives coming over on Sunday. Darrel, Kristi, and Brittany Hinkle stopped in on their way back from Avon where they were picking up supplies for the Greenhouse. Darrel invited his oldest brother to dine with them at the Ruby Tuesday in Mitchell. Jerry enjoyed getting the chance to catch up on all the family goings on. It was a quick visit, because Darrel wanted to get the cargo unloaded before dark.

Jerry went to work after they left for home, but there wasn't very many people going out for pizza on Mother's Day, so he was booted at 7:30 or so. Jerry then went to the hospital to check on his coffee buddy, Earl, only to find someone else in his room. It's good he was able to be discharged. Hopefully they will both be back to the old familiar routine before too awful long.

     ACT has announced that auditions for the Summer Musical Production of "Grease" will be held on May 15-16 at the Pepsi Cola Theatre on the corner of 7th and Main at 7:30 PM. There are parts for ages 14 and up. Since Holabird Advocate Publisher, Jerry Hinkle is in that age group, he thinks that applies to him as well. Since he has Thursday off, that might be his best bet. Ever since he played the part of an audience member in Xanadu earlier this year, his feet have been itching to be on stage. Whether the rest of his body will cooperate remains to be seen.

     I listen to a lot of retired people as they drink their morning coffee, and this is what I've learned. Regardless of party, they can all agree on one thing. The Democrats need this seat in the Senate. Of that there can be no doubt. And for some time now there has been a certain amount of speculation among the electorate that either Senator Johnson's son, Brendan, or Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SHS) will be the Democrat they need to keep that seat blue, or if former Governor Mike Rounds will paint it red. Thus far, as we all read on the Front Page of the Holabird Advocate yesterday (you did read it yesterday didn't you) we are looking at only Rick Weiland to challenge Rounds next year, unless someone else is brave enough to run between now and next June in the primary.

So the next question is, can Weiland beat Rounds. The only way to know is to turn on the TV on Election day in November and wait for the results. This fight if it happens, between Mike "Mr. Nice Guy" Rounds and Rick "Real Democrat" Weiland will be an interesting campaign to behold. Will it get nasty? It obviously will! If the candidates themselves won't sling mud, outside interests will get their hands dirty. Rounds smiled his way into the Governor's Residence, but he might be called upon to go negative. It will be interesting to see if he can resist that call. As for Weiland, this is his third attempt at office, yet precious little is known about him. I have a feeling before this election is out, we will know more than we want to about everyone in this race. The bottom line is that we'd better enjoy the lull in campaign 2014, because if history has taught me anything, I know it won't last long. God be with you and do the best you can!

     This morning Stephanie Herseth Sandlin posted on her Facebook page that although she was confident that she could win a statewide race next year, that she and her family decided not to run at this time. With her out and Brendan Johnson keeping his distance, the only Democrat running for Senate next year, a least so far, is Rick Weiland. We have a whole 13 months before the primary, so there is still time for anyone, regardless of party to throw their proverbial hat into the ring as it were. As it stands now it looks like a Rounds Vs. Weiland fight for the Senate in 2014.

     One of the many great things about this country is our willingness to celebrate motherhood. We'll celebrate fatherhood later on, but it's not the same. Not every country does this either. A friend of mine that lives in Ghana never heard about Mother's Day. What a shame that is!

     Methodists traditionally celebrate Mother's Day as the Festival of the Christian Home in their worship service. Sadly, as a lifelong Methodist, I never knew that until yesterday's worship service. Either that or I did and forgot all about it.I must admit, I'm not sure why, because a Christan family needs both parents. I guess we'll see what Methodists celebrate on Father's Day!
Will Rogers once said that "Mothers and dogs are the only 2 things that will love you no matter how badly you treat them". As it happens, I ran over my dog with the silage truck, fatally as it turned out. As far as my mother goes, I can't remember what the worst thing I did to her was, and I'm sure she doesn't remember either. I have made jokes at her expense like saying such things as that she never wanted me to be a comedian because she was afraid people would laugh at me. The truth is, she has always been supportive of all of my endeavors, even when she didn't approve of them. When I failed, she was always there to cheer me, and on the rare occasions that I succeeded, she could not have been prouder.That's the mark of a good mother right there! My brother's and I are very blessed. I didn't always know that, but i do now. I'm sure my brothers do as well. God be with you and do the best you can!