If Mary Hinkle heard right, Highmore Postmaster, Janet Kopecky told her that the price of postage stamps will be going up on January 8. This is odd, not only because it is Elvis Presley's Birthday, but because it is a Sunday as well. Of course, we don't blame Janet. We blame the USPS sponsorship of Lance Armstrong. Maybe they should put him to work delivering mail.

Dakota Wesleyan Sends Publisher Greetings
Among those who thought enough of Holabird Advocate Publisher, Jerry Hinkle to spend 37 cents on a Christmas card on him is Dakota Wesleyan University. The reason for this honor is not spelled out, buy Jerry suspects that the University is trying to get him to enroll after he expressed interest some time ago. He reason he suspects this is that the card cover has 4 very attractive co-eds in mid snowball fight mode. Did it work? Not yet! None of the said co-eds were redheads, so E.E. wouldn't let him go if he wanted to, which he doesn't.
Another Dead Cat in the Family
Doug Hinkle called his parents last night to inform them that his family house cat, Priv Pothast, is dead. When Jerry Hinkle was told, his only question was "How could they tell?" (Ol' Priv was kinda laid back). Priv was 21 years old (147 to Lorne Green) and the only cat that Jerry ever saw that could open it's mouth to say "Meow" with no sound coming out.

Perhaps we should all be in mourning for all of the dead old cats in the news these days, but life goes on, and so should we all. The secret to having an old cat is simple. Keep them inside so they don't get ran over. I hope Shubert Geitzenauer doesn't read and understand this trend.

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are taking a step in the right direction. It is reported that last Saturday night, they made their domestic situation legal. Getting married is easy, it's staying married that seems to be the sticky part. This is Garth's second time around, and Trisha's third. I wish them well, and ask them to remember that God will bless their union if they ask, but the rest is up to them. That's what's so nice about God.

Which reminds me, isn't this the Christmas season? That's right! I said CHRISTMAS! It didn't kill me. I understand some folks are reluctant to use the word Christmas this year. I've seen very little in the way of Christmas specials. And I was looking forward to Nick and Jessica's Christmas special with the troops in Iraq. That's not gonna happen either. Even in church, we haven't had much Christmas music. That'll change by next week though. Actually, I understand why some retailers don't want to say Merry Christmas. If they do say it, I'd like it to be because they want to, not just because some Christian protesters are making them do it. I've noticed that the stock prices of Walmart and Target haven't got the Christmas spirit either. I hope that all changes soon.

In closing let me say that the Salvation Army could use a little Christmas giving. While other charities give their president a 6 figure salary, the head of the Salvation Army makes do with an annual salary of $13,000 (unlucky for some). They pour most of their money into helping people. They are a great outfit, and deserve our support. That's why I always put folding money in their kettle and Christmas time. I hope you will too!