A proposal to run a half-dozen buffalo down a fenced-off portion of Main Street in Deadwood has been dumped by local officials. The mayor and city commission voted 4-1 against the idea. Officials were worried about lawsuits if people are injured or killed and the negative publicity that would bring to Deadwood. An Omaha business that is involved in the bison industry had hoped to use the event to draw attention to the humble buffalo. Opponents of the plan say that the proposal would bring the wrath of animal rights groups and smear Deadwood's image as a popular tourist destination. The plan would have allowed dozens of people to run with the buffalo for short segments on a course along Main Street.

By the way, does anyone know where a 2 ton buffalo sleeps? Anywhere he wants, of course!

There has not been much improvement in the condition of E.E. Hinkle. He isn't getting any worse either. Any hopes that E.E. was faking his latest setback were dashed when Jerry Hinkle told his grandfather that if he didn't start cooperating, he was going to register Republican. The perplexed 103 year old Democrat could just say "Huh?"

The worst party of the current state of affairs is that Jerry is afraid to leave home in case someone puts E.E. in the nursing home while he's gone. Jerry is also praying for patience, but that is just taking so darn long.

Recently UBS installed a computerized weather station at the home office. It is a free service of The Weather Channel It's about as accurate as a dart board, but it's free. It does give a rough idea of the wind speed and direction. Luckily our Publisher still has the Keloland Wind Chill Chart that Dave Dedrick gave him a few years back, so now he can put it into use.

May is a "TV sweeps" month. There were many cheesy stunts pulled this moth trying to get our attention this month. But the prize for the absolute Cheeziest was "David Blaine" You know, the goofy street magician who tries to freeze himself in ice, camp out in a plastic bubble, and all kind of crazy stuff. Well, I must admit, I missed his latest stunt. I also missed the point of this stupid show stunt.

See, Mr. Blaine was going to dive down into a tank of water and hold his breath for 9 minutes. This must be some kind of record or something. But hold on, the story gets better! The show was 2 hours long. HELLO! Even a Norwegian knows that it doesn't take 2 hours to hold your breath for 9 minutes. They must have had a lot of time to fill with commercials and all that. Like I said, I missed the point.

Blaine missed his goal too! After all the build up I understand he didn't do the deed. Maybe it takes 3 hours to hold your breath for 9 minutes. Perhaps it was the "Live show" aspect of it that messed him up. At any rate, I can only surmise that Geraldo Rivera was happy that it went so terribly. He is hoping that everyone will forget about Al Capone's vault. Well, not quite!

Universal Blogcasting Services reaches a milestone with this edition of the Holabird Advocate. In the 4.5 year history of the Holabird Advocate Newsblog we have managed to post 900 times. Usually when we reach a century mark we try to do something special. We are at a loss however, as for how to make this a special occasion. Perhaps we'll do a better job on post 1000.

for 103 year old E.E. Hinkle, life has been full of ups and downs lately. Sunday morning, he walked to morning vittles, and then he went back to bed. He has not walked, or even stood up, since then. E.E.'s Grandson, Jerry Hinkle is being upbeat, knowing that his grandfather has had setbacks before. Still, even a cat has just 9 lives. This makes something like 11 lives for him.

There has been some talk of putting the old boy in the nursing home. Jerry is hoping that doesn't happen until every other available option has been exhausted. Part of the problem is his appetite, which comes and goes. Mary Hinkle had to spoon feed E.E. dinner today, yet this afternoon, Jerry wheeled him to the table for pudding, and he ate half a bowl. He's not exactly on the mend yet, but it is cause for some hope. Right now it's a case of Need vs. Want. All of us here at the Holabird Advocate hope that his family will prayerfully consider what is in the best interest for E.E. Hinkle. A national treasure such as he deserves that much.

Harold and Mary Hinkle left for Roy Lake last Thursday morning with Agnes Hahn in the role of passenger. K.C., Marta, and Kyle Ferris surprised Ken and Joyce Ferris with a birthday visit, later deciding to spend time at the Ponderosa on Sunday night, where Mavis Kennedy tried to fill everyone's plate with good things, including LaRayne Hinkle's recipe for lemon pie. The Ferris family decided to stay overnight, despite the thunderstorm which yielded .36 of an inch of rain. Once again on Monday morning, Mavis left no mouth unfed just before they left to go to the funeral of Ken's uncle in Draper. Harold and Mary brought Agnes back in the same shape she was in when they left. Mavis served food once again, but nobody was hungry.

This morning, Mavis served "cowboy breakfast" before she and George Kennedy left to keep doctor appointments. Even then, the visitors came, when Norval (Norm) and Vera Goehring stopped by for a spell. Mary offered to have them come in for refreshments, but Norm thought they'd find a better place to eat down the road (fat chance, eh).

As the song goes, it's "Back to life. Back to reality. Back to the here and now." Hunter, his brother, Houston, his dad Scott, His mother Shannon, and her fiance Alan, had as much fun as humans can without going to jail from the sound of things. They went on a 7 night Western Caribbean cruise. They started from Sioux Falls to Minneapolis and then to Orlando, Florida. Then they got on the Disney bus and drove to Port Canaveral to get on the Disney Magic! From Shannon's report, the Disney magic sounds like a pretty fair sized boat to float on. There were 4 ports of call. First it was Key West, Florida. The Grand Caymans were next. While there they took a smaller boat to Rum Point. Cozemel, Mexico was the next day.

One thing we know for sure is that the group didn't forget to eat. This ship had more food than Mavis Kennedy's kitchen. They even managed to get in a little swimming and a little shopping (for sun screen, among other things) before coming hope. Shannon will supply us with pictures when they are ready. Welcome home, Guys!

Our good friend Oddjob snapped this photo of The Ditty Bops signing autographs at their show at Amoeba. After he had posted the pic on The Ditty Bops Website, someone else pointed out that it looks as though the Ladies are closer than we'd like to think. It reminds our Publisher of something his mother always says. It goes something like, "You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you're pretty much stuck with your relatives".

The Bicyle Tour has picked up quite a following. The Ditty Bops have two support vehicles. A Toyota Prius Hybrid car, which is the official American car of the Holabird Advocate and a van that is powered with Willie Diesel, which is a soy based fuel.

There are more details on The Ditty Bops tour on their website at www.thedittybops.com

It has been slow going for E.E. Hinkle since falling in his house last Tuesday evening. Some, including all of us here at the Holabird Advocate, would like to know just how he fell down. Nobody seems to know, and E.E. isn't talking. He's put a brave face on through it all. He has even started walking on his treadmill again. He's not running any marathons exactly, but considering he is two months away from his 104th birthday, he is moving along very smartly indeed. If anything has suffered, it's his appetite. He's down to just 3 meals a day, and sometimes 4. It's not all bad. He sleeps through the night, too!

Earlier this week, a Reader was bold enough to say that I don't talk about myself enough. Of course, so far this Reader is the only one of this opinion. A valid point was made, however. After all not all of the Readers know me all that well. Still, the reason I don't say too much about myself is that there are other people in the world who need to be profiled. The Amanda Barretts, the Hunter Mees, the Bridget Deuters, The Joan Hansens, and yes, the E.E. Hinkles.

If anyone is really all that curious, I understand that the September issue of South Dakota Magazine will tell you more than you probably want to know. There is also an FAQ section at the bottom of the Front Page for all who can't wait that long.

How wonderful it is that just back in November this family had a very sick little boy on their hands, and now he's back and better. Which brings us to our Publisher's family motto, "God is good!". He sure came through for Hunter, and the rest of us!

Tuesday evening, E.E. Hinkle fell down in his house, hurting his shoulder. Though he claims not to be in any pain, it is obvious that he is hurting. Of course he wants no part of the hospital, preferring the safety of his own bed at the Ponderosa Pines Old Age Assistance Home.

Mavis had been in a sickbed of her own after wrenching her back. But she hasn't had much time to be sick since arriving yesterday afternoon with husband, George Kennedy.

Earlier we had advertised for a cub reporter and photographer to go to Sioux Falls. Things are not how we had perceived them last week, so plans have changed. While reading the Highmore Herald last week, our Publisher thought that June 4 was the instillation of both David Axtmann and Kevin Zilverberg. It now appears that the installation in Sioux Falls is on June 2, with a reception in Highmore on June 4. This means that Jerry Hinkle will be able to take the cub reporter position.

The photographer position appears to be taken as well. Kevin's mother, Peg Zilverberg has expressed interest. She has had experience, and on top of all else, she has consented to do it for next to nothing. So now Jerry won't have to dig around in the sofa cushions for loose change.

submitted by Connie Hopkins

Sit back and read about HELLO.

Have you ever thought what this word stands for? Read on....

Do you know that a simple "hello" can be a sweet one?

The word H E L L O means:

H=How are you?

E= Everything all right?

L= Like to hear from you

L= Love to see you soon!

O=Obviously, You are my friend..

So, HELLO!

Meanwhile, back to reality. Cade "Cader the hater" Hinkle has been visiting the Ponderosa since Sunday night, and will be going back home soon. This will be welcome news to our Publisher's ears, because the youngest living Hinkle keeps shouting "I hate you!" at the top of his lungs. He'll be fun in the teen years, eh!

It was so hot at the Ponderosa today that Harold got the air conditioner up and running. It cooled of for the rain. All .16 of an inch of it.

Cade, Justin, and Shelby Hinkle "helped" their Grandma, Mary Hinkle make a cake for Harold's big day. As soon as Doug Hinkle came to collect his son, the kids of all ages started eating their handiwork. It was quite good.

The days are coming ever closer to the Luau on the Lake. Roy Lake that is. Swimming pools, movie stars, and fish. People are getting concerned about the menu. They know there will be plenty of food. Too much in some cases. They are just not sure of what food they will have too much of at this deal.

Getting ready is the hardest part. Harold Hinkle has been filling up the camper, as well as getting his boat, "The Last Chance" into ship shape. He is even thinking about pulling the "Last Chance" behind the camper. He may have second thoughts about that.

Right now the plan is for Agnes Hahn to bring her car up to the Ponderosa early on Thursday morning and keeping it stored inside to keep it out of the weather, asa well as to keep Jerry Hinkle away from the temptation of driving the car.

Mavis Kennedy is dragging herself out of her sick bed, and on Wednesday she and husband, George Kennedy, will be motoring up to help Jerry out, and keep him away from Agnes's car. The odds are about 50-50 that K.C. Ferris will show up sometime with Ken and Joyce Ferris this weekend.

The home office has heard from a Mr. John M. Duffy of Fort Pierre. He claims that he is at least a weekly reader of our little Newsblog, and enjoys it. He's even turned some of his friends onto it. Our Publisher has also turned him on to the Ditty Bops!

Perhaps the most shocking thing he reported to us were some kind of changes at the Pierre Capital Journal. We're not sure what that's about, but there may be more Readers out in the Pierre area for us. We could move the home office to Pierre and rename ourselves the Crapital Journal. We could, but we won't.

VOL. V Issue 5J
Running of the Buffalo?
We have another answer to the question "How stupid can you be?"! A group in Deadwood wants to organize a bison run down main street similar to the running of the bulls in Spain. They say the two-day event would be a way to promote the bison industry and bison meat.
Of course, none of us here at the Holabird Advocate has ever herded buffalo, or bison. We have heard that these animals do not heard all that easy. In fact, we've heard that some of the bigger ranches have herd the herd with helicopters. Long story short, we don't think it's gonna work.
Holabird Advocate: The Book
Every once in a while, we see ads for services that will publish the archives of a blog into convenient book form. Would anyone in the world really pay good money to read four years worth of Holabird Advocate posts when they could read the blog for free pretty much anytime they felt like it? Our Publisher doesn't think so. Besides which, right now we only have an average daily circulation of 29 Readers. The only person who wants to read us, but can't, is Betty Phillips. Her life has not been shortened by not being able to read us either.

The Holabird Advocate Newsblog has two positions open for a freelance cub reporter and a photographer. The idea candidate for these positions will be going to Sioux Falls to cover the ordinations of Kevin Zilverberg of Holabird and David Axtmann of Highmore. Salary is open, but don't expect too much. Stock options are available for all players in the Blog$hare game.

VOL. V Issue 5I
Powerball Jackpot Awaits Winner
Somebody who bought a Powerball Lotto ticket in Pierre for yesterday's drawing could be a millionaire, providing they claim the prize in 180 days. The Jackpot is an estimated $116.8 Million over 30 years ($51 Million lump sum). The winner is still unknown at press time. But the Reverend Jerald E. Hinkle of the Universal Life Church would like to let the winner know that for just 10% of the Lott winnings (after taxes) he would love to be your spiritual advisor.

In case you've missed it Those winning numbers were 15, 17, 24, 26, 35, Powerball 38.
Searching for Dogwood Energy?
Search engine traffic has increased dramatically for the Holabird Advocate. And according to the Holabird Advocate Circulation Department, they are all looking for more information about Dogwood Energy. Some that search simply want to make their own ethanol, and find our recent articles about the company.
If there is anyone in the Holabird area that is interested in pursuing this endeavor, feel free to let us know. It has been said that the early bird gets the worm, but it has also been said that the second mouse gets the cheese. For that reason, none of us here at the Holabird Advocate are going to put up $1400 to brew ethanol 5 gallons at a time without a little more study.
Another Graduate in the Hinkle Family
Doug Hinkle reports that next Sunday, Jaime Pothast will be among the hopeful graduates of Riggs High School. Her future plans include going to a Vo-Tech School in Sioux Falls to study the Meteorological Sciences. Watch out Shawn cable!
All of us here at the Holabird Advocate want to wish her well at this time. If you would like to join us in wishing her well, we will provide you with her address upon request.

With a new Album coming out on May 23, and the bicycle tour starting on May 25, some may wonder what The Ditty Bops are doing on May 24. As it happens they are booked on the "Morning Becomes Eclectic" Radio program on KCRW (89.9 FM) at 11:15 am PDT (1:15 pm Holabird time. Our courageous, dynamic Publisher has decided, just this once, to convert to Daylight Savings Time. As you can see on the photo to your left, Ms. Abby is so excited about this that she needs two hands full of candy.

If you want to hear the show, but do not live in the signal coverage area, you can visit KCRW.COM to tune in online!

More and more, people are coming out of their cubicles and computer rooms and admitting that they read the Holabird Advocate. One such person is Orville Gran of Pierre, who reads our little Newsblog once a week and enjoys it. All of us here at the Holabird Advocate know that he has good taste because we've met his wife.

We have also heard that Mabel Kusler, also of Pierre, has read our Front Page a time or two herself. Mabel is in charge of music for the GRHS chapter in central South Dakota. If she spots a mistake in our version of "Ein Prosit", we'll hear about it.

Something to Think About
Submitted by Marla McGeorge
of Miller, South Dakota
There are some facts to ponder:
(A) The number of physicians in the U.S. is 700,000.
(B) Accidental deaths caused by Physicians per year are 120,000.
(C) Accidental deaths per physician is 0.171.
Statistics courtesy of U.S. Dept of Health Human Services.
Now think about this:
Guns:
(A) The number of gun owners in the U.S. is 80,000,000.
(Yes, that's 80 million..)
(B) The number of accidental gun deaths per year, all age groups, is 1,500.
(C) The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is .000188.
Statistics courtesy of FBI.
So, statistically, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners.
Remember, "Guns don't kill people, doctors do."
FACT: NOT EVERYONE HAS A GUN, BUT ALMOST EVERYONE HAS AT LEAST ONE DOCTOR. Please alert your friends to this alarming threat. We must ban doctors before this gets completely out of hand!!!!!
Out of concern for the public at large, I have withheld the statistics on lawyers for fear the shock would cause people to panic and seek medical attention!

As they say in the Westerns, "It's quiet out there, too quiet". As a matter of fact, it's as dull as the Presidential contest. You in South Dakota will well remember that the Republicans took it for granted we'd vote there way, the Democrats didn't even try. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but it was dull.

Now we have the Governors race, U.S. House of Representatives, and PUC. From these three races I here nothing but Rounds asking for my vote on TV and radio, even newspapers. Dr. Billion sent a letter asking for money, but that's just about it.

It's just like 2004. Our vote is being taken for granted again. I'm beginning to take the Republican's claim that neither Billion or Weise want to be Governor very seriously. I'm sure that once either one or the other get the nomination, their campaign will accelerate, and shift into low. Still, in less than a month one of the two will get the nod. Of course, I committed to Billion just because he used to be the highlight of the "First Monday" show. Yet, Wiese hasn't even tried to change my mind. But then, why should he?

Yes, I will probably end up voting Democrat. Not because the candidate is better, but because every so often we need a Democratic Governor in this state to remind us that we still have a two party system. Amazingly, in my lifetime, South Dakota has only elected one such Governor. I'd like to make it two, but for the life of me I'm not sure why.

I hope that voters from all parties will think long and hard before blindly casting a vote out of party loyalty. It's time we make these politicians earn our vote. And they could start by asking for it.

VOL. V Issue 5G
Ms. Amanda Starts Training for the Big Bike Tour
Forget the Atkins Diet!It's Sweet Corn and Candy that gets The Ditty Bops Going on their bicycles. On May 25, they will start out on their cross country bicycle tour. They will embark on the first ride of their 3 month, 4,000 mile journey. Abby Dewald and Amanda Barrett are riding their bikes from Los Angeles to New York to promote their new record, "Moon Over The Freeway". The best part is, you are all invited to come and ride, listen to the music, and have a great time. Check out thedittybops.com for up-to-date information on our route and see how you can join them in this adventure.
Here's a list of the cities they will pass through. We encourage everyone to contact The Ditty Bops booking agent (brian@mpartists.com) if you have any information about unconventional venues such as bike stores, music stores, house concert series, farms, etc...
CALIFORNIA: LA, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Sacramento.
NEVADA: Nevada City, Tahoe, Reno, Fallon.
UTAH: Salt Lake City.
COLORADO: Steam Boat Springs, Fort Collins, Denver, Frisco, Boulder.
KANSAS: Oberlin, Lucas, Lawrence.
MISSOURI: Kansas City, Boonville, Columbia, St. Louis.
ILLINOIS: Springfield, Bloomington, Chicago.
WISCONSIN: Madison, Milwaukee.
MICHIGAN: Walhalla, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor
OHIO: Cleveland
PENNSYLVANIA: Pittsburg, Philadelphia
WASHINGTON D.C.,
MARYLAND: Annapolis
NEW YORK: New York City
After NY they will fly to:
WASHINGTON: Seattle

and ride to
OREGON:Portland, Eugene.
Why isn't Pukwana, South Dakota on the list? Oh well, hope to see you on the road, Ladies!
Greenhouse Brings in the Green
Kristi's Greenhouse had one of their best openings ever this past weekend. The exact dollar amount will not be reported, because our Publisher can keep a secret. The customers, for the most part, have been very happy with the new location. Some even said that it has made the greenhouse look bigger. There is also more parking space. The only voice of dissent was from a lady who was worried that one of the existing buildings on the lot, an old one room schoolhouse, might be destroyed. She and all others worried about that can be assured that there are no such plans to do so at this time.

One thing is for sure. E.E. Hinkle would never make it in the CIA. He can't even keep his own secret. Yesterday, E.E. called his oldest daughter, Mavis Kennedy, and told her to come over in a day or two, but not to tell anybody she was coming. He then spent the rest of the day telling all who would listen that Mavis was coming over "Any time now",

Exactly when Mavis does decide to visit has not been officially reported. E.E. Has been eating up a storm too. Obviously, he is training his stomach for the amount of food Mavis prepares during one of her visits.

Harold Hinkle took the old boy out for a drive to where Darrel Hinkle is planting corn. He seemed wide awake and with it during most of the time.

This Illegal Immigration story is starting to wear pretty thin for me. I'm not even really sure just how much of a problem this is. I can sympathize with W in the respect that as a nation we have to figure out some middle ground here. Finding it seems to be the hardest part.

W addressed the nation tonight, which forced Keloland to delay the season finale of "How I Met Your Mother" by 20 minutes. (BOO!) The thing that really upsets me is that he didn't say anything new. He gave me a chuckle when he said that hiring an illegal alien was a crime (DUH! Ya think?), and yet there are some folks in this country that are probably dumb enough not to know that.

Some say these aliens take American jobs away. Maybe so, but I sure wouldn't have minded having a nice, hard working Hispanic boy (or girl, I won't discriminate) who could have mowed the lawn for me this weekend so I could have watched Larry the Cable Guy go into his routine about under britches.

There's also the problem of immigrant scum who come here to this country in order to take advantage of our welfare system. Now, believe it or not, I got a solution to this one. If it's a government check they want, let's ship them off to a totally worthless state. A place so terrible that they would actually have to pay people to live there. Yes, Alaska, ladies and gentleman, Alaska is the place for people of that ilk. They just may get a second congressional district up there yet. Who knows, but that we could even get some of them a job pumping oil out of that caribou reserve.

South Dakota doesn't have much of an immigrant problem. Their biggest problem is people leaving the state in search of a better paying job. Well, perhaps they could go to India to become a telemarketer.

As with every Sunday, the Holabird Advocate home office will be closed. I hope that those of you who have a mother, or even a grandmother, who is still living will give her a call. And for those of you whose mother is no longer with you, thank God you had a mother.

A mother job starts even before her child is born. Even was she does something for herself, she's doing it for baby as well. After the labor is when the real work starts. Cooking, cleaning, and if you got a good one, sewing and knitting. A mother's work is never done!

One of the greatest tributes I've heard someone give their mother was in a song, ironically titled, "Coal Miner's Daughter". Loretta Lynn sure held her parents in a high regard, as we all should. Motherhood has been given an especially bad rap as of late. Still, as I see it, motherhood is a high calling. In fact, I believe there is none higher.

So, here's to Mother! Bless her cotton socks!

The UBS Network has discovered through the SDWC grapevine that Ruth Wood of rural Cresbard is running as an Independent candidate for District 23 House of Representatives. District 23 includes the Holabird area. Believe it or not, our courageous, dynamic Publisher, Jerry Hinkle, not only knows the candidate, but has also worked with Mrs. Wood for the Census Bureau back in the Summer of 1998. He can testify that this is one sharp lady who is tough, but fair. She would be an excellent Representative, and District 23 would be lucky to have her.

Darrel and Kristi Hinkle will be getting up bright and early (well, actually it will be dark and early) tomorrow morning to pick up the inventory for Kristi's Greenhouse. Kristi intends to be open before the height of the Mother's Day shopping season. Anyone who has a mother should buy her something from Kristi's Greenhouse, if at all possible. And there's no better way to dress up a drab Graduation reception than with a beautiful flower arrangement from the best greenhouse in Hyde County.

If last weekend is any indication, Agnes Hahn's feet are in fine form. Now her Optometrist claims that her eyes are in good shape as well. One thing she does not have to look forward to is surgery for cataracts. At least not anytime soon.

A few couple weeks ago, two new "local channels" were added to the satellite dish. Those being Minnesota Public TV and the Sioux Falls WB station. The latter has a new show that I've never seen before. Let me tell you about it.

OK, so "Reba" may not be new to some folks. In fact, it's not really that new to me. It looks like a redo of the old Roseanne show. Reba is little more than a skinny version of Roseanne Barr here. She works on the show behind the scenes too. Yet the show works. Color me surprised, but the show is actually funny. Reba is careful to give herself the best lines, but her delivery is flawless. Her comic talent almost make up for having to look at her ugly face, stringy hair, and buggy whip body. And at least she doesn't sing much (just the theme song, which is mercifully short)

Of course if eye candy is your thing, there is Joanna Garcia, who plays Becky-I mean Cheyenne. Definitely a top ten gal. Even the actress who plays Darlene-OOPS-Kyra isn't too bad looking. The most annoying character has got to be the "Aunt Jackie" who in this version is the second wife of Reba's ex-husband. She's got to tone it down a notch. Of course, it gives the viewer more sympathy for Reba's character, thereby showing us the "Funny".

Despite what I have said here, I really like the show. It's a real entertaining look at white trash. The truly amazing part is that one expects this show to go full-on Jerry Springer at any minute. Like the man says, "It's called acting" Take it for what it is. I know I will.

It was casually mentioned that at Joan's age of 65, she is now over the hill. That makes for a downhill slide. We don't know if that's true, but we do know that people who ski have said that the downhill slide is the fun part. May that be said for Joan, and indeed for us all. She is a good strong woman who is an inspiration to all who know her. So in the words of The Squires "RAISE YOUR GLASSES" And toast Joan with a chorus or two of "Ein Prosit"

The Village was assembled to raise Kristi's Greenhouse this afternoon for the 2006 gardening season. It is in a new location, just south of the East City Park in Highmore, South Dakota. The lot is the former location of the Hyde County Rough Riders Snowmobile Club House. If the good Lord is willing, this will be the permanent location.

This is part of the reason that this edition of the Holabird Advocate is so late in coming. One of the villagers, Jerry Hinkle, caught a cold and has been stuffed up all day. Kristi seemed to get the idea that Jerry was hungover. As it is, Jerry refuses to take any cold medicine with alcohol, choosing to tough it out instead.

Like their website declares, they are not just another polka band! The Squires is a 4-piece dance band from the St. Paul area that has been playing for wedding dances and various parties since 1973! Our instrumentation includes :
Accordion, Guitar/Bass, Saxophone, and Drums plus full harmonic vocals.
This unique mix of instrumentation allows them to play a broad spectrum of music that many other bands can't. their music consists of a large variety of dance music that has proven to meet the needs of all types fun occasions for many years.

They have played all over the state of Minnesota, but they do have contacs in the Sioux Falls area. They are not exactly The Ditty Bops, but they're not too shabby at that.

Check them out yourself at their website http://www.squiresband.luths.net/ They even have some MP3 samples here

"Ein Prosit " A Salute to Your Health or Well-being

With glass in hand
Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, der gemiitlichkeit

Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, der gemiitlichkeit

(Cheer!) Eins, zwer, Dreif g'suffa!

Zicke, zacke, zicke, zacke, hoi, hoi, hoi,

Zicke, zacke, zicke, zacke, hoi, hoi, hoi,

Prosit

Things will be pretty lax at the home office while our Publisher goes with his family to Minnesota for Mai Fest. If things go well, there may be a couple interviews for "The Jerry Hinkle Program". That is, unless it's in a "roam" area. He might even put a few editions together in Minnesota, if he can't find a computer with Yahoo! (Google doesn't quite have that monopoly on everything yet, darn it all).

Innovative solutions include traveling by boat, Greyhound bus — even bicycle. When a band is onstage, the musicians are supposed to be focused on performing — or that cute girl (or boy) in the third row. These days, a more mundane, but far more pressing, concern is likely to be cluttering the brain of the average working band member: Whether they'll have enough money to pay for the gas it will take to reach their next destination. With gas prices in some parts of the U.S. soaring close to $4 a gallon, indie-rock bands — for whom touring and merchandise sales are often their key sources of income — are increasingly feeling the pinch and struggling to get from one city to the next. If you plan on going to shows this summer, you'll probably notice it too, as the price of everything from T-shirts and tickets to beer could be on the rise — assuming, of course, that your favorite band can make it to your town at all.

While they didn't set out to combat gas prices with their tour, the Ditty Bops are sending a clear message by biking from Los Angeles to New York on their upcoming three-month outing in support of Moon Over the Freeway (due May 25). The folk-pop duo of Amanda Barrett and Abby DeWald are on a major label, but they're pedaling for their tour, which will hit large and small cities for shows in theaters, clubs, bike stores, houses and farms."We're not doing it to save gas money, because we'll be flying out band members and running a support vehicle — my hybrid Toyota Prius — with our gear," said Barrett. "We just love riding bikes and want to encourage people to do that. It's more for environmental reasons, but think of all the gas money we're saving by riding bikes!"

With some experts predicting that gas could hit an average of $4 a gallon this summer, the question is, are things really that bad? According to CNN, we have it pretty easy. In the Netherlands, gas costs $6.73 a gallon, while French drivers are ponying up $5.80 a gallon, with the average price per gallon across Europe around $6 a gallon. Then again, in the oil-producing countries of Iran and Venezuela gas is cheaper than some high-end bottled water at (respectively) 35 cents and 12 cents a gallon.

Today marks the birthday of my Grandmother, Agnes Hahn. I'm not going to tell you how old she is. You wouldn't believe me anyhow, as she hasn't aged too much in the last 40 years. She still presides in the kitchen during family togethers. No matter how many times she's told, "Sit down, Mom!", or "Take it easy, and relax a while.", she insists on making sure that everything is just right. From if the meat is cooked properly, to where everyone is going to sit, she has her say. No, she has THE say. And no matter how crowded it gets, she insists there is always room at the table.

When she and her husband had 5 kids of their own, they took in a refugee family of 4 from Latvia. It was difficult back then, but it would be impossible now. And yet she did it. How did she do it? She probably doesn't know herself how, except to say that she had God's help.

Jesus feed 5000 men with a few fish and a couple loaves of bread. What she did might not have been on that scale, but it operated on the same principles. Those of faith, hope and love. These Grandma has in abundance, the rest is just gravy.