South Dakota lawmakers are back in Pierre today for the fourth week of the annual legislative session. This week is going to be a long one. Legislators are scheduled to meet through Saturday, one of the two Saturdays that they'll work this year. Roughly one-third of the annual lawmaking session has passed. Today is the 14th day of the 40-day session. So far, 394 bills have been introduced, which is 230 bills short of average.

I'm still on a natural high from having a Holabird Advocate article printed in the South Dakota Magazine's blog. I couldn't be more pleased if I had been paid for it. Closer to home, February is going to be an interesting month. Highmore's troubles on the exotic dancing issue will be coming to a head early on. We'll have someone there to get to the meat of the story.

While in Pierre, my mother picked up all kinds of $1 DVD's. I'll have a few reviews in before the month is over.

Next month's poll question will be based on the fact that Michael Jackson's trial is beginning. I thought I'd like to see how the trial would play out among Holabird Advocate Readers. You, the Reader will be asked if he is Guilty or Innocent (make that Not Guilty, as even I don't believe he's innocent).

That's all for this month. See you in February!

It took a while, but the mystery of just who Colleen Hinkle is has been solved at long last. Apparently the name of Colleen Hinkle showed up on the Goehring Family Wed Site that Mary Hinkle operates. This has been a mystery for a little more than a month. It appears that this Colleen Hinkle has the same address as Mike And Colleen Gervais. The error has since been corrected and all is well in the world. The lesson here is that Mary Hinkle better not use the computer while she is drinking wine. She even forgot that she did it in the first place.

Legislators Tackle Big Issues
After a debate that was split mostly on party lines, the South Dakota House approved a bill that would ban per-head payments to workers who register voters or get them to the polls. The Republican majority passed the measure by a vote of 45-to-25. A few Republicans joined the Democratic minority in opposing the bill.The measure's main sponsor, Representative Mike Buckingham (R-Dist. 34), says it would help reduce fraud by preventing political groups from paying workers based on how many people are registered or delivered to polling places. Such workers could still be paid salaries or by the hour. Opponents say they see no need for the bill.

They say current law allows the prosecution of anyone who breaks election laws. House Minority Leader Dale Hargens (D-Dist. 22) says that the bill might violate the federal Voting Rights Act and might run counter to certain prior court rulings.

Also on the Statehouse agenda is a bill they hope will cause the US Supreme Court to rule abortions illegal. Key lawmakers in the abortion fight do not expect a veto similar to one that Governor Mike Rounds made last year. They instead are preparing a package of bills to further restrict abortions in South Dakota. Final details of the bills have yet to be finalized. The bills will generally require women to be given more information from doctors before abortions are done, change the parental notification procedure when minors need emergency abortions and add a clause to state law that would automatically ban abortions if the US Supreme Court ever decides that they are not legal. The Governor issued a technical veto of last year's abortion bill because of a glitch that would have wiped out existing abortion regulations while it was tied up in court.

And it appears that, unless something unexpected happens, South Dakotans may be voting in 2006 on a proposed constitutional amendment that would define marriage. An existing state law already does that, but Representative Elizabeth Kraus (R-Dist. 34) thinks the definition should be in the state constitution. She's offered a joint legislative resolution that will put the issue on the 2006 statewide ballot. The measure has 55 House sponsors and 23 Senate sponsors, virtually guaranteeing that it will clear South Dakota's 105-member Legislature. Joint resolutions passed by lawmakers go on the ballot automatically and do not have to go to the governor for his approval. Kraus says her measure is an important means of protecting the sanctity of marriage.

Indeed, Ms. Ratzlaff has been making calls to area churches to seek out support for an ordinance against exotic dancing. Reverend Hinkle further stated, "I have nothing against exotic dancing, as long as the people that do it aren't naked".

Reverend Hinkle was going to protest nude dancing by removing his own clothes at the establishment in question. Of course he said that when it was a whole lot warmer outside. All of us here at the Holabird Advocate seriously doubt that Ms. Ratzlaff will resort to as desperate a measure as that herself. At least we hope not.

Once again, people are getting sick all over the place. Call it what you will, flu, crud or whatever, it is not the least bit fun for anyone concerned. So far, quite a few folks in the area are getting bit. From Dianne Macek in Faulkton to Ruby Hoffman in Highmore. Even Holabird has been in it's evil grasp when Shelby and Justin Hinkle caught it. Darrel Hinkle says that when those two would rather sleep then watch TV you know something is up. All of us here at the Holabird Advocate hope that everyone mention and unmentioned that is effected by this stuff has as complete and quick a recovery as possible.

The people that put out South Dakota Magazine have set up a site powered by Blogger, the same outfit that powers the Holabird Advocate. Our courageous, dynamic Publisher has known about this site since last July. This site is just too good not to share. If you would like to check it out, the web address is www.southdakotamagazine.com

This address will be put on the Free-For-All Links page of the Holabird Advocate for future reference. Our Publisher has known and respected South Dakota Magazine Publisher, Bernie Hunhoff for many years, and looks forward to the day when the Holabird Advocate is as good has his humble effort.

Last Sunday afternoon, Brittany Hinkle got into a friendly little shooting match with her BB gun. She hit all 100 of her targets, 58 of them were hit dead center. Brit's BB gun coach is quite impressed with her shooting ability. Also with how well she pays attention. She is doing remarkably well for a 2nd Grader.

Rather than spend $140,000 that it does not have, the Holabird Church of Universal Life has decided to protest the possibility of nude dancing in Highmore another way. According to Reverend Jerry Hinkle, they are going to wait until the possibility becomes reality. Then he will go to the establishment in question without the benefit of clothing. It is Reverend Hinkle hope and belief that once the public gets a load of him naked, they will lose their taste for nudity and beg the Highmore City Council for a ban on it. That is, once they recover their eyesight.

Are you tired of watching those unfunny sitcoms on TV? Got 20 minutes to kill? Well you may want to go to your local Nash-Finch store and buy one of the $1 DVDs on sale there. Earlier this Month I bought 3 of them. One was a movie, "His Girl Friday" (Already covered, read the review in the January 2005 archive), one was a game show, and the last an old time sitcom.

The game show is that 50s and early 60s classic, "You Bet Your Life". Groucho Marx is at his comical best as he spends the first few minutes trying to get contestants to "Say the secret woird (Brooklynese for word) and divide $100". Then there's the quiz, with which you can play along. At times that is just as funny. This I highly recommend.

The sitcom is "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show" even the ads for carnation are entertaining. The plot lines can be predictable at times, but a surprise ending or two may sneak up on you. No wisecracking teenagers, no crude bathroom humor, and best of all, it's really funny stuff.

That's all for this month, if you have a videotape or DVD that you would like to recommend, drop me a Gmail. If you'd like me to watch it and report my findings, you can do that too. Until next time remember to treat your DVDs like they are made of glass, because they are.

Everyone here at the Holabird Advocate was shocked to hear of the death of "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson over the weekend. His easy going manner and Midwest charm will be missed as it has since he retired in 1992. It should be remembered that Carson was able to get a laugh from his audiences without having to utter the word "Viagra". That alone has earned our respect. His self deprecating, topical humor won the hearts and minds of everyone. Whenever a joke would bomb he'd stand quiet and motionless, and still get the laugh. It was his show that led to placing televisions in the bedroom. Johnny Carson, dead at 79.

Agnes Hahn has received the obituary for her nephew, Glen "Mitch" Mitchell. Glenn died earlier his month, and was cremated. His ashes will be buried in the Miller cemetery sometime this Summer. Agnes was to submit the obituary to the Highmore Herald Newspaper, but was afraid that it was too long. If this is the case, the Holabird Advocate will publish the obituary, because nothing is too big for us to print.

The Holabird Church of Universal Life is considering a desperate act to help save Holabird's neighbor to the east from sinking into moral turpitude. Highmore, South Dakota may become a cesspool of perversion unless something is done to prevent nude dancing from happening in the former location of Ray's Bar. According to some stories going around that is precisely what may happen in the very near future.

Reverend Jerry Hinkle is looking for a way that would make it possible for the Holabird Church of Universal Life to purchase the aforementioned establishment to prevent something as vile as nude dancing from happening. Of course, Video Lottery will have to stay as a way to maintain the operation. He is thinking of calling it "the BYOB Bar". If people want to drink, the would have to bring it with them. If this is successful, perhaps other bars in the area could be purchased and expand their scope of activities. Maybe even good, clean arcade games for the youth.

The difficult part of the plan is the purchase price. The owners are asking something in the neighborhood of $140,000 for the place. The church's treasury only has all of $4.93. Quite an undertaking, but they only have $139,995.08 more to go.

Holabird Advocate Meteoroligist, Storm Chaser, will be subject to disciplinary action after his prediction of 50 MPH winds and 1-2 inches of snow. The panic that news like that could arouse is not even worth imagining. As it happens, none of that weather has happened in the Holabird area. The wind is barely blowing and the sun shines bright with a temperature of a very chilly 13 degrees. Of course it is better to prepare for a storm that doesn't come than to be caught in a storm that one wasn't prepared for. But what are we going to do with all the popcorn?

The is a new contender for the title of "Miss Little Sure-Shot". That being Brittany Hinkle. Brit started participating in the beginners division of the BB gun shooters in Highmore. On her first try she got 5 shots on 5 targets, and made 5 "Bull eyes". Coach Larry Kerr was impressed by Brit's shooting prowess. She has to take a written gun safety test, an eye test, and a breathing test before she is allowed to compete in a competition. Can she do it? "No sweat" was Brit's reply. Great Job, Good Buddy.

Last night, Ken and Joyce pulled in to Green Valley, Arizona. The have arranged to spend an evening in the Walmart parking lot. George and Mavis Kennedy had planned to meet with them for breakfast at Denny's and catch up with them, as they were too tired to visit much last night.

Sandy had a bit of excitement at her pub the other night when some gal pulled a knife on her. The marauder was a mentally ill individual that Sandy was able to outrun. A quick call to Johnny Law helped put her away. Luckily for Sandy, it was a small knife. And it looks like all of her bicycling has paid off pretty good too. Keep up the good work, Sandy.

Harold Hinkle has heard from his sister, Joyce Ferris, that as of last night, she and husband, Ken Ferris, made it as far as Tucumcari, New Mexico. They expect to be at Green Valley, Arizona by the end of Today's driving.

Looks like there's another reason for our Publisher to be glad that he calls Holabird his home. There is a persistent rumor going around, as yet unconfirmed, claiming that a nude bar could be starting up in Highmore. It appears that one Nathan Shaul may have purchased Ray's Bar and Grill in Highmore. Some fear that nude dancing in this establishment may not be far behind. As a matter of fact, there has been talk of getting all of the community churches together to protest the establishment of such an establishment.

There will be more details of this story as they become available to us. In the meantime, you may want to pray for Highmore during this difficult time.

State Senator Frank Kloucek (D-Dist 19) sponsored a bill to help South Dakotans manage the problem they have being over run with prairie dogs. This idea was brought to his attention by a West River rancher, who apparently couldn't get any action out of his own Statehouse delegation. Sen. Kloucek's bill was killed committee by the Republicans.

Since the Legislature is unwilling to do anything about prairie dogs, All of us here at the Holabird Advocate have a solution to this problem. Everyone who is beset with prairie dogs should vote to send a Democrat to the Statehouse. If this is as a big problem for the state as we are led to believe, this may be the only way to get any action on the problem.

Perhaps one could make it a cash crop. Get the Sierra Club, PETA, and Greenpeace out there and charge them to catch a live prairie dog and take them to a place where they are needed. You know, since they are endangered and all. Make it a real challenge too. "All the prairie dogs you can catch for $5" or something like that.

South Dakota's Secretary of Agriculture, Larry Gabriel, claims that the prairie dog is in such dire straits that hey have taken to eating each other. What do the prairie dogs know that we don't. Let's hope our East River ranchers never have to find this out themselves. If the prairie dogs are, in fact, tasty, this could be a job for PITA.

As we start our fourth year in blogcasting, it is only right, as in years past, for me to give the annual report as to the state of our Newsblog. I will give you, the Reader, a sense of where we have been and where we might be going.

The year 2004 was called the "Year of Fullness". Still, some of the internet upgrades here at the home office causes some emptiness in the lives of those who have come to depend on this site for the latest news, entertainment, and occasional gossip. So far, those problems have been a thing of the past. Here's hoping it will stay that way!

Among the new Bravenet services we have tried out last year were the Vote Caster, the Photo Album, a Web Journal which details the notes I have been taking over the years chronicalling my Grandad's 100+ years in the world, and lastly a Greeting Cards module that I didn't like so I got rid of it. The Guestmap is our latest addition. Some of our Readers have stuck a pin on their little corner of the world. I hope this catches on.

I helped support Stephanie Herseth's run for Representative both times she ran last year. She won both times. This was at a great cost to me in Reader support, but I have to do what is right. That is what makes me the courageous, dynamic Publisher. I also supported John Thune in the Senate race in spite of his kids commercial. Daschle saying that he was "a D.C. resident" on Thune's other ad should remind us of the 12 commandment, "Thou shalt remember than when thee speaketh, that thy cameras runneth still". Sometimes I regret this decision, but it's too late to do anything about that now. We must go forward somehow, and we shall.

The American Voter as chosen as "Person of the Year" for 2004, They really did make 2004 memorable. I hope that every American Reader that was able to did get out and vote.

And now the bad news. Readership has not grown as in previous years. We started the year with 2645 Readers and close it with 5174. I expected this, so that's OK. The good news is that repeat Readers (those who came back more than once) is up from 12% in 2003 to 28% in 2004.

In 2005, I will endeavor to bring about the Audblog to the Holabird Advocate as soon as I can afford it. The only way I can do that right now is with ad revenue. If there was another way, I would have done it by now.

I have been juggling a lot of activities this year. From the Holabird Advocate, the Holabird Church of Universal Life, continuing on with Grandad's biography, watching over the old boy himself, and making sure I get a little work done on the Ponderosa as well. It sounds like a lot at times, but then I really don't do a very good job with any of it, so that makes it even.

That does it for another year. My thanks to every one of you Readers. I couldn't do it without you. Thank you for your patience and understanding this last year. Let's all work together to make 2005 the "Year of Overflow".God bless you all. God bless America, and God bless the Holabird Advocate.

The cold morning air around Valley Township was made a little warmer at the Single Arrow ranch on Friday. According to reports, Ron LaFourtune was on his way to the shop so he could feed the cattle when he saw that the tractor was on fire. The Highmore Fire Department was dispatched and the blaze, which was made urgent because Ron had filled the tractor with fuel the previous day, was under control.

The extent of the damage in the shop has not been determined as of yet. The tractor is definitely not usable. There were numerous artifacts that Ron's father in law, Henry had collected through the years. One project that had a moderate bit of smoke damage was Cody LaFourtune's restored Volkswagen Beetle. Harold Hinkle reports that, ironically, the passenger side had a sign on the dashboard proclaiming, "Don't even think about smoking in this car!"

Ron had insurance on the shop, but is not sure what it covers. He will find out in short order unless we miss our guess.

It was almost, but not quite zero on Friday, reaching only half a degree above the 0 mark. After an overnight low of -23 it got up to 8 degrees. That's a 31 degree difference. And oh what a difference it was too!

Kristi Hinkle had EMT duty at Gettysburg, so Mary Hinkle had the kids. Brittany Hinkle was so stir crazy she scrubbed the Ponderosa toilet in order to go to the stock dam to ice skate, only to be told that there was no ice in the stock dam. She might not fall for that one again.

While in Pierre last week I was waiting at the Econo-foods Store and happened upon a bargain basement section of DVD's. I purchased 3 for a total of $3.18

One of these selections was "His Girl Friday", starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell. It is a remake of the old film "The Front Page".I had seen the movie before, so it was predictable in spots, and yet there were certain details of this comedy that I had forgotten had become more pronounced. Best of all, it was funny.

There are some who, on their first watching may think this movie over rated. In fact, a lot of the humor comes from inside jokes. The story holds up to the test of time however. Perhaps if the right couple came along in 2005, there could be yet another remake of the story.

Grant plays Walter Burns, crusading Editor of the Morning Post, A daily paper in New York State. Russell is Hildy Johnson, a former reporter of the Morning Post (AND Walter's ex-wife). Burns is trying to get a man off of death row, as well as get Hildy back at the paper-and as his wife. Will Hildy write the story that will get the condemned man off? Will Walter and Hildy get back Together? Go to Econo-foods, or whatever your local Nash-Finch grocery store is called and find out for yourself. A few familiar faces have supporting roles in this flick, like Ralph Bellamy from "Trading Places" and Gene Lockhart from "Miracle on 34th Street".

This movie was, in my opinion $1 and 90 minutes well spent. The best part is, I can spend the time again and again and again.

That's all for this edition so until next time remember to treat those DVD's like they are made of glass, because they are.

After being a Member in fair standing of the South Dakota Farmer's Union since 1928, it was decided to let his membership lapse. The Union itself was paying his dues, mostly for bragging rights, we assume. Perhaps the Union brass didn't expect the 102 year old to last this long, but for whatever reason, they presented him with a bill for the years membership. It comes to $40. E.E's Family has decided to let the membership lapse because there is no reason for him to be a member anymore, or so they say. Perhaps it is just as well. After all, he hasn't been to a Farmers Union Picnic for quite a spell now. It's time for the younger generation to pick up the slack and get their own membership.

It has come to our attention that our Publisher's distant cousin, Lucille Myers, is celebrating her 75th birthday on January 16. If it weren't so bitterly cold outside we'd have ventured to the mailbox to drop a card. As things are, however, this will have to do. All of us here at the Holabird Advocate want to wish her the very best on this occasion, and that she continues on in good health. She is an example of what clean living can do for one. We should all be doing so well at that age. Keep up the good work!

VOL. IV Issue 1G
E.E. Hinkle Gets Checked Up
Harold and Mary Hinkle took 102 year old E.E. Hinkle to Huron on Tuesday morning for a check-up on him and his bionic heart. His pulse was a very respectable 80. It was a quick trip as Harold was in a hurry to get back home before the snow got too big for him. They were in such a hurry that they didn't go to the bread store, which put E.E. in a sour mood for the whole trip home. And instead of calling on Ken and Joyce Ferris at their home, they called them up on the cell phone.
The Hinkle family found out that E.E.'s doctor, Douglas Van Marel, is going to move to Montana. Looks like the old boy may have to break in another one for old Doc Paul.
Big Snow And Low Temperatures for Holabird
Holabird Advocate Meteorologist, Storm Chaser, predicts that on Wednesday night he expects that temps in the Holabird Area will get below zero and stay there until Sunday morning. Not much snow on those days, but the wind may pick up a bit, brings wind chill values down. The Ponderosa reports that Tuesday brought 4 inches of snow.

The Hinkle family has been having a hard time getting a lift chair rounded up for E.E. Hinkle. It is a good thing for them that he doesn't really need one. Had he really needed one, someone would have got it without all the bureaucratic red tape.

They have been looking for a phone through which he could hear. They must still be looking, as no phone has arrived earlier. Very few of us here at the Holabird Advocate think that science has invented such a device. Of course, anything is possible these days. It wasn't that long ago that E.E. thought his grandson Jerry Hinkle was putting him on when he told him about Caller ID. Well, picture telling your own grandfather about a box that tells you the name and phone number that is calling you before you even pick up the phone. We've come a long way in a relatively short time.

The McDonald's restaurant in Pierre was the scene for Cade Hinkle's third birthday. He had a few friends and a lot of relatives over. His two sisters, Jaimie and Askley Pothast were absent from the proceedings. Jaimie, who works there on a regular basis, was afraid that she may be called in to work in case there was a rush. Ashley was away with a friend annoying someone else for a change. Kaitlin Pothast spent most of her time telling dirty Jokes to Harold and Jerry Hinkle. Mary, Doug, Darrel, and Kristi Hinkle watched the kids on the Playland equipment. Noel Pothast kept the party moving. Brittany Hinkle helped serve the birthday cake. Justin Hinkle sang that song that is on the "Alias" promo on ABC.

Cade got a lot of nice stuff, none of which he was willing to share. One thing of particular interest was Cade's new motorcycle. Cade will be staying with his grandparents at the Ponderosa on Abraham Lincoln's birthday weekend.

Every once in a while, the Holabird Advocate likes to check into the reality Television genre to see what's doing. There are a few new shows and an old one that I thought needed coverage.

A new season of "The Bachelorette" premieres tonight on ABC. I could care less about it to tell the truth. New York Might love this Jen gal. To me, she's kinda ugly. No wonder the chick has to go on TV to find a husband. One imagines that the contestants vying for her and are a bunch of losers anyhow. Even Jerry Hinkle would rather watch "Raymond" than this crap.

"Super Nanny" is a new show that I have yet to see. It looks like it could be interesting, but for how long. Wife Swap was interesting, but after a while you realized that it was just like an Elvis Presley movie (they all had the same plot, forgive me fore saying so, boss). Her catch phrase appears to be, "You've been very very naughty". That may get old after awhile too. She carries an umbrella, bringing a shade of "Mary Popppins" into the mix. I'll have to watch a few episodes before I condemn it too much.

One reality show has breathed new life into NBC. Unfortunately, it is a CBS show. Everyone who followed "Survivor" now has a chance to see "Joey" thanks to "Wickedly Perfect". This is a show in search of the next Martha Stewart. I say, "No, thank you! I think I'll just wait until the real one gets out of the old Graybar Motel!"

CBS really did good getting Bill Long and his family to participate in a real life family drama called "The Will". As Hank Jr. Says, "This ain't Dallas, and this ain't Dynasty". Still, it is an interesting blend of all of the elements that made those shows watchable back in the 80s and what makes "Survivor" watchable now. I haven't seen any ratings for this show, but I can tell you that if they want to keep this show going they can't lose Bill's wife, Penny, too soon. She make Joan Collins look like Kitty Johnson. A certain amount of my personal sympathy goes to Bills two kids, Billy (Bill's son by birth) and Josh (Bill's adopted son). The part that has me scratching my head is what some of these folks would want with the "prize" of this show. To be the heir to Bills ranch, a mere 560 acres in Kansas. No matter. This is an interesting show and I'll be watching every Saturday night to see what happens next. I can hardly wait!

It has been assumed that Cade's great-grandfather, E.E. Hinkle will not be up to going to the celebration. Mary Hinkle thinks he can be left alone for that long of a time.

The snow is still hanging around, and expected to be joined by more snow from a two day blizzard forecasted to start sometime Tuesday and continue on until at least Wednesday.

Darrel Hinkle is preparing for the blizzard by spreading hay around for the cattle to use as bedding. He has also lined up hay to feed in case the snow is too deep to get to the silage pile.

Just a few short weeks ago, 102 year old E.E. Hinkle had to be begged and cajoled in order to get him to eat anything. These days however, E.E. has been eating anything and everything that tickles his fancy. On top of a "Good breakfast" and dinner, he has been eating 4 puddings a day. He used to have to be lead to the table too. These days, he just goes to the fridge and chows down. It is not know how much the old boy weighs, but the way he's been going at it, he just might get back up to his fighting weight of 172 pounds before we know it.

Sunday Night, Harold Hinkle called his nephew, Terry Kennedy. He wanted to see if George and Mavis Kennedy had made it to Terry and Susan Kennedy's home in Quemado, New Mexico. Indeed they had, and just in time for a deluge of rain. Harold told them about the snow and about things around the Ponderosa and all.

Seems the most exciting thing around there was a disagreement about what to call evening vittles. Susan asked what everyone wanted for dinner. George said that he wanted supper, having already had dinner six hours ago. Well, that's what Terry gets for marrying a city gal.

George and Mavis Kennedy pulled into Trinidad, Colorado yesterday afternoon, and saw the new year in there. They are on their way to Green Valley, Arizona for the winter.

No Communion Service for Reverend Jerry Hinkle. It is hoped that Mary Hinkle will produce the bottle of Cold Duck that she has hidden sometime before this year ends. It was all a moot point since nobody showed up for the service anyhow.

The snowy weather prevented Harold and Mary Hinkle from going to Harry and Dianne Macek house in Faulkton and having oyster stew. Agnes Hahn didn't want to venture out either. Neither did Gene and Roxie Goehring. They were all invited back again for oyster stew Sunday afternoon. It'll have time to simmer between now and then.
Hinkle Brothers Slightly Up Last Year

The Hinkle Brothers Mutual Fund has reported a 5% increase for the last quarter of 2004, and a 4% increase for the whole year. Some trades were better than others. Hinkle Brothers was invested rather heavily in energy stock, such as Cal-Tex, Exxon-Mobil, and Whiting Petroleum. Some of the more memorable activities was the purchase of Google and the sale of Kmart at $13.95 early in the year followed by the purchase of the same stock at $76 later on in the year. All of us here at the Holabird Advocate believe fund manger Jerry Hinkle has to work on his timing just a little bit.