The ranks of the Pierre Fire Department is making a request for more volunteers to sign up to serve the community. Deputy Fire Chief Greg Baker says some current firefighters will be moving on to other communities to take new jobs or to go on to college. He says that means there will only be about sixty members left-when the optimum number should be around seventy firefighters. Baker says most every day, there are about fifteen or more firefighters that are unavailable to respond to fire calls, because of work or other obligations-so having at least seventy members available ensures that there will always be plenty of firemen and women that can help in a fire emergency. Baker says being a firefighter offers a chance to serve the community and help others. Firefighters also receive benefits like a free YMCA membership and they get free physicals. Baker says those wanting to find out more about becoming a fire department member should simply visit the Number One Fire Station on Dakota Avenue, to fill out an application. After an interview, a background check is done and once new firefighters are assigned to a company, they'll go through about one hundred hours of training-which takes place over a two year period. Baker says it only takes a few weeks for an applicant to become a fire department member. Those interested in becoming a firefighter can also visit the Pierre Fire Department's website at http://www.pierrefiredept.org/ to find out more information about this unique opportunity.

VOL. V Issue 6K
Billion Gives Bloggers Respect
The Holabird Advocate Circulation Department reports that the Media Page at Dr. Jack Billion's website have set up a link to yesterday's edition. They changed the headline in the link, but then so would we if we had been in their place. To see what we mean, reread the article.
We noticed that other blogs were listed right along side the so-called legitimate press. We can only imagine what the other bloggers think about having their media outlets placed alongside the Rapid City Journal, KSFY and Keloland. As for us, we are grateful to the Billion camp for giving us bloggers a break. Our courageous, dynamic Publisher has a feeling that Todd Epp is primarily responsible for this, and give him the lions share of the credit.

See if you can find the Holabird Advocate! Here's the link to that page: http://billionforgovernor.com/site/component/option,com_weblinks/catid,29/Itemid,140/
Vandals Set Fire to Lake Chapelle
A fire was reported near Lake Chapelle in Hyde County and was allegedly started when a group of 18 and 19-year-olds got together for an illegal underage party and lit a campfire. Cory Flor, GF&P Conservation Officer for Hyde and Hand Counties, says that both counties are currently under a burn ban. Fire officials say that the underage group left the location before the department arrived to put out the fire-and about five acres of grass and some trees were scorched. Flor says everyone should be careful with fires, especially during the dry conditions that are currently found in many areas. Flor says small fires can become big ones in a short time and can easily get out of hand. No charges have yet to be filed in the Chapelle Lake fire and underage party, but Flor says authorities continue to investigate the incidents.

Our troops need our prayers for strength, endurance, and safety. If it be God's will, give these men and women the strength they need to prevail. According to the weather reports, it is 122 degrees in Iraq right now - and the low will be 111! Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine & others deployed in harm's way, Prayer is the very best one!!!!!

Pray this prayer for our soldiers:

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen."

I really started something a few days back. I had said that there was a chance that the Holabird Advocate may have to be disbanded, should I get accepted into DWU in the future. Let me remind you all that if it happens, this won't be anytime soon. If I am able to blog once there, I will. When that happens, I will have to change the name. I feel that the Holabird Advocate should be managed locally. I've kicked around possible names like "Mitchell Nightly Democracy" or even "UBS News". Let me repeat. This won't happen anytime soon, and may not happen at all. There are a few details to be ironed out.

One detail is that my mother thinks I need to see if any of my previous college credits will transfer. Now whether or not it's a good idea, I'll have to do it. One thing that I have learned at Hinkle University is that one should always listen to one's mother, especially when she yells one's full name out loud.

I've also got to get into DWU. One suggestion not from my mother is to see if Senator McGovern will write a letter of recommendation for me. Since it was he that recommended DWU to me, that may be worth a shot. Trouble is, I don't know his address, or phone number. Interesting, since we live in a state where the Governor's number and address is in the phone book right next to his name.

I have been to the DWU website, and I must say that I'm impressed with the place. They have a Political Science Department, a Theatre Department, and a class about John Wesley's philosophy. What is not to like about this school? Well, the price is steep, but that is the least of it now. If I must go here, I'll find a way to pay for it. Anybody out there need a spare kidney?

VOL. V Issue 6J
Hinkle University Opens
It's been said that "a degree is just a piece of paper, but education is food for the mind". It's also been said "you're never too old to learn". It is with this in mind that Hinkle University has been founded on this first day of Summer in 2006.

Summer Schooling at the University today was Darrel and Justin Hinkle. Darrel learned that his father and oldest brother are more apt to help with heavy lifting only when no other alternative is available. Justin is not a student at the University. Quite the contrary, as he was teaching his uncle, Jerry Hinkle a thing or two. Mostly that Jerry doesn't know everything. Justin says the grass is green, Jerry says it's yellow. Justin was most persistent about this issue. He just may become the Captain of the Debate team.

Education at Hinkle University is free, but the T-shirts, jerseys, and caps are not. Get your order in soon. And don't forget that our Publisher's birthday is just 27 days away.

This weekend Brittany Hinkle will be running her legs off at the South Dakota State Hershey Track Meet in Rapid City. All of us here at the Holabird Advocate were surprized that Hershey sponsored anything to do with exercise. That's like a TV network sponsoring a read-a-thon.

It's not all work for Brit. Her mother has promised her a tour of Deadwood, to learn all about her hero, Calamity Jane. A woman who died way back when E.E. Hinkle was year old. Brit may outshoot any man alive like She did, but let's hope that's where the similarities end.

It has been reported that Rapid City businessman and author Eric Abrahamson has been selected as Dr. Jack Billion's running mate on the Democratic ticket for South Dakota Governor. The 49-year-old Abrahamson is chairman of the State Library Board and is a member of the Rapid City School Board. He also owns a consulting firm in Rapid City. Dr. Billion will officially announce his running mate at stops today in Rapid City and Sioux Falls. Dr. Billion says Abrahamson has a wealth of business experience and great communications skills. The two Democrats will compete in the general election in November against Republican incumbent Governor Mike Rounds and Lieutenant Governor Dennis Daugaard.

Life is a gift from God that is meant to be celebrated, especially when that life has been well-lived and based in a faith in Christ. In these last days since we heard of Emory's death, our minds have been filled with memories of the times that we shared with him. And each time we remembered him and as we shared those memories with others we have celebrated and honored his life.
Over the past few days, I have been privileged to learn of just some of the many memories of Emory that are held in the hearts of those who knew him.
Memories of the hard working man that he was, of his love - for his family, for farming and ranching, for God and this Methodist church, and, lest we forget, for the Democratic party. Memories of a man who was born when Theodore Roosevelt was president, of a man who predated the Model A, of a man who ate bacon and eggs for breakfast for a hundred years, and claimed, with some confidence, that it hadn't done him any harm.
Memories of a man who believed in getting the job done when it needed to be done, but was always able to happily sing his famous and untitled, Doo De Doo song as he went off to milk cows.
Memories of a man with strong opinions about the best way to travel to wherever he was going, and perhaps, where you were going as well, and who once spent the better part of a trip from SD to Arizona questioning the direction of travel and asking, What time is it?
There are memories of Emory giving haircuts at the house in the afternoon, of 4-H meetings and practical jokes, of deep-sea fishing together, working together, talking together. Of birthday parties and family gatherings and of a granddad pulling money out of his pocket and after pressing it smooth, handing it to a grandson and his fiance, saying "here is a little something to get you started."
Memories of a man who was poetical as well as practical; Emory liked to write about the things of everyday life, like the marriage of his daughter and the birth of grandchildren; the passing of time at different stages of life, and of course farming, about which he once wrote "it is an occupation where you must depend on God".
Dependence on God was a mainstay of Emory's life. His faith in Christ often led him to talk to others about the things of God and to share how the Scriptures could give direction in life. In the 1930s he started and lead a Sunday School class at a country school and it was during this time that his neighbors began to call him The Deacon, a title he always enjoyed. His faithful involvement in the ministries of this congregation spanned some 60 years and in the Methodist Church at large, almost 80 years.
So many memories over the course of a lifetime, of conversations and prayers, of laughter and tears, of hopes and dreams and faith.
Several weeks ago, Emory seemed to realize that his time was coming to an end and he began doing things for the last time and saying his last goodbyes. These were not the acts of a desperate man attempting to grasp for one more bit of life, but the actions of a man who was calmly and quietly getting ready to go home. When I thought about Emory making his preparations for death, a Scripture came to mind that I want to share with you today. This event takes place just after the birth of Jesus, when his parents bring him to the temple to be dedicated to the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,
28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
There is nothing else written in the Bible about this man Simeon. All we know about him is what is written here. He didn't write any great books or do anything terribly dramatic in the eyes of the world. But what we see here tells us that Simeon was a man who was guided by the Holy Spirit, that he was not afraid to speak the truth to the people around him, that he was a man who had seen the Lord's salvation for himself, and that he was ready to go home.
Yet this event; one old man's comments to a young couple dedicating a new baby, this event, was recorded as a testimony for future generations that Jesus was the hope of all humanity.
Like Simeon, Emory was a man who had seen the Lord's salvation for himself because he had accepted Christ as his Savior and had a personal relationship with him. Like Simeon, Emory too was guided by the Holy Spirit because he not only talked to God, he listened to him and obeyed him as well. Like Simeon, Emory was not afraid to speak into the lives of the people around him about matters of faith because he believed there were things that needed to be said. Like Simeon, Emory was at peace and able to say he was ready to go be with the Lord because he had a personal experience and knowledge of Jesus Christ. And like Simeon, books probably won't be written about Emory's life and the people who remember him by name will probably be limited to a handful of people living in Hyde Co, South Dakota, but as one of the grandsons said last night, the things he believed and passed on to his children and grandchildren, will be passed on to their children and untold future generations and his words will continue as a testimony that Jesus is the hope for all humanity.

I had a pediatrician tell me what she believes is the best way to remove a tick. This is great , because it works in those places where it's sometimes difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc. Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds (15-20), the tick will come out on it's own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away. This technique has worked every time I've used it (and in KY, that was frequently), and it's much less traumatic for the patient and easier for me. Unless someone is allergic to soap, I can't see that this would be damaging in any way. I even had my doctor's wife call me for advice because she had one stuck to her back and she couldn't reach it with tweezers. She used this method and immediately called me back to say, "It worked!"

There are a few items of unfinished business. Yesterday, I forgot to put in that when I talked to Dorothy Zilverberg this past weekend, she has said how much she enjoys the Holabird Advocate, As she put it, "Now that I've found it". I didn't set out to make this Newsblog hard to find, of course. Several people have found it with little or no trouble at all.

One thing I may have left out of the pacemaker story is that Grandad had two pacemakers. The first lasted 8 months, the second lasted 10 months. Both of them were called the Cadillac of Pacemakers. They lasted about as long as a new Cadillac all right!

Also, there seem to be a lot of people who remember what I said about seeing if there was a place for me at DWU when Grandad no longer needed me. Since his death, people seem disappointed that I'm not booked into McGovern Hall right now, surrounded by 25 pretty co-eds (well how do you think I feel about that?) . The fact is, it will take time to get that organized. I'm quite sure that it won't happen this fall, maybe next fall. As it is there are other things I am attending to now. I am hoping to see my cousin Kassidee Kennedy sometime next month. After that, we'll see when, or even if DWU wants me among their number. I want to enjoy the time I have left in Holabird, because once I leave, I will have to shut down the Holabird Advocate as we know it. I may have to disband it altogether.

I and the rest of my family have been overwhelmed with the love and support we have been given by all of you out there. It's nice to know that someone like Grandad made such an impression by each and every one of you in such a positive way. We were all blessed to have him for as long as we did. So now I ask you to remember his final words, "God be with you, and just do the best you can"

VOL. V Issue 6H
Royalty Ascends the Throne
Thanks to a lot of help from Peg Zilverberg, the Holabird Advocate scooped the Highmore Herald once again. We have the first published photo of King John and Queen Dorothy Zilverberg. We've heard that becoming royalty has not changed their lifestyle as yet, but that John may be looking for someone to carry his golf clubs in the future. Dorothy was working at the Historical Society Museum this weekend, right along side the peasants. A lesson in true nobility if ever there was one.
Of course there were other things going on during Old Settler's weekend. Water pistols, and Super Soakers were also in the parade, because of this years theme of the Highmore Fire Department centennial. There have been a few rumors that a potato gun was fired in the city limits at least once, but no official word has come down, and no damage was reported.
Several classes had reunions, and one such class was the class of 1986. A class that rates a song by "Bowling for Soup", but probably won't get one. Less than half of the 31 graduates made it to the reunion. Even Jerry Hinkle walked all the way from the Come Hahn Inn to Chahl's in order to see what was left of the gang. Even though he has been out of High School for 20 years, Jerry learned something the night of his class reunion. In fact he learned plenty, but more of that later. After the reunion wound down, Jerry walked back to the come Hahn Inn to wait for his mother's reunion to be over, only to find that her reunion had been over 3 hours before. Darn the crummy cell phone reception anyhow.
McGovern Picks up the Pace
Former South Dakota U.S. Senator George McGovern has been dealing with an irregular heartbeat for more than 25 years. It hadn't been much of a cause for concern until the 83-year-old passed out while he was driving in Wisconsin.

Now Senator McGovern is in Mitchell tonight and resting comfortably thanks to a pacemaker. According to Keloland, this pacemaker can cost as much as 20-thousand dollars. As a point of reference, E.E. Hinkle's pacemaker cost about $14,000. Because the device runs on a battery, doctors say it eventually has to be replaced. That usually happens in seven to eleven years. E.E.'s First pacemaker lasted 8 months before it had to be replaced.
The Wit and Wisdom of Dan Quayle
Each of these statements were actually said by former Vice President J. Danforth Quayle
For NASA, space is still a high priority.
Great American sport. Horseshoes is a very great game. I love it.
I am not part of the problem. I am a Republican.
I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy - but that could change.
I couldn't help but be impressed by the magnitude of the earthquake.
I deserve respect for the things I did not do.
Last, but not least, our personal favorite
If Al Gore invented the Internet, I invented spell check.
Top Ten List
by Jerry Hinkle
Holabird Advocate Publisher
From the home office in Holabird South Dakota:
"The Top Ten Things I learned at my High School Reunion"
1. Bob Haiwick is a Grandfather!
2. If I had known how well "Sexy Lexie" Glanzer was going to turn out, I'd have been a lot nicer to her in 6th grade! (a WHOLE lot nicer!)
3. On the days that Dad had me picking rock in the fields, he was actually keeping me out of all kinds of trouble! (Thanks, Dad)
4. LaNett Genzler makes a better class treasurer than Todd Roberts ( "Sexy Lexie" agrees with me on that as well)
5. If I had $300,000 to give to the City of Highmore, it would name rename the East Park, "Come to Jesus Park" and the ACLU couldn't do a cussed thing about it.
6. Some of my classmates actually drink water. (Yes, I was shocked too!)
7. There are 2 Les Smiths in Yankton, and they live on the same block.
8. Bonnie Boller loses weight as fast as I can gain it!
9. Even after 20 years, Lori Hart can still kill me with kindness!
10. I have to get together with these guys ( and gals) more often, I just have to!

E.E.'s funeral was done with as much taste as possible. He had many befitting tributes from those he left behind. Carol Zilverberg gathered 103 flowers, from her own garden and those of her neighbors, to decorate the church. The American Embassy in Seoul, Korea had the Stars and Stripes at half mast and a 24 hour guard in his honor. No reports of flags at half staff anywhere else, however. Perhaps that's a good thing. E.E. Was a humble person who grew weary of honors during the last part of his life. Still it's good to know that anyone from Holabird had the respect of people who were half the world away from us.

Although E.E. is gone, he will not soon be forgotten. Whenever someone is served bacon and eggs for breakfast, or coffee with milk, he'll be there. Whenever we see a field of corn, it will bring an involuntary recall of his experience with growing it in 1937. Whenever people vote for a Democrat, he'll be there as well. He leaves quite a legacy behind. Let's hope his family lives up to it. Such a challenge seems difficult, but they, and the rest of us can do it if we but follow his most important advice, "Just do the best you can!".

Mary and Jerry Hinkle will miss the parade this year because they will be riding the floats of their respective high school class reunion. It's the 50th for Mary, the 20th for our courageous, dynamic Publisher.

It has recently been reported in a study from Waldorf College Professor, Kenneth L. Hansen that hard work will pay off with benefits in the future, whereas laziness pays of with benefits right away.

Well, here it is, the first of hopefully not too many of a series of reports on the stages of grief. There are several such stages. The first is denial. This is my grief status. Not denial about death. I was there when it happened, after all. My denial is that I refuse to admit that I will miss my Grandad, or that I have lost anything. I'm not sure that I have as yet, but I can't guarantee that I will always feel that way.

Several well meaning people have offered sympathy and condolences to me. I may not appear to accept them right away. I refuse to feel sorry for myself, however. The people I feel sorry for those who never got to meet Grandad. It's sad to think that a man could live to be 103 and still not meet all those who admire him. They are the one who have suffered a loss, not me. I could get through my "Grief' in a hurry if I could get depressed and angry about those who will never meet Grandad. We'll just have to see how that goes!

Emory Evert Hinkle, Holabird, SD died at his home on June 9, 2006 at the age of 103 years, 10 months, and 18 days. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 13, 2006, at the United Methodist Church in Highmore at 10:30 am. Family Prayer Services will be at 7 pm at the Luze Funeral Home on Monday, June 12. Emory Evert Hinkle, son of Joseph E. Hinkle and Anna (Krack) Hinkle, was born July 22, 1902 in Thurston County, NE. In the spring of 1914 he moved with his parents to Brookings County, SD where he grew to manhood and received his education. In the spring of 1928 he moved to Valley Township in Hyde County. On November 7, 1931, he married Bergit Maginnis and to this union three children were born. He was engaged in farming in Sully and Hyde County. He served as a Hyde County commissioner for 8 years and on numerous other boards and was an active member of the Methodist Church and the Democrat Party for many years. He is survived by his three children; Mavis (George) Kennedy of Upton, WY, Harold (Mary) Hinkle of Holabird, SD, Joyce (Kenneth) Ferris of Huron, SD, 9 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-granddaughters, 1 brother Don (LaRayne) Hinkle of Bonita, CA, 1 brother-in-law Marion (Bette) Maginnis of Fairfield, CA, 1 sister in law Ina Mae (William) Meininger of Oak Harbor, WA and numerous nieces,nephews, and a cousin of mysterious origin, Cletus Spangler. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, 2 sisters Lillie (Clifford) Pease of Eugene, OR and Myrtle (George) Wallis of Davenport, IA and 2 sister-in-laws Helen (Floyd) Smith of San Diego, CA and Vera (Floyd) Brock of Highmore, SD

The outpouring of love that has come from all over the country for E.E. Hinkle and his family is nothing short of glorious. Holabird Advocate Readers from all over have send heartfelt condolences. Words of support have even come from some of our Publisher's good friends at The Ditty Bops website.

A few of his friends and neighbors have stopped by for an all too short visit. They have brought enough food to feed a thrashing crew for a month. Kristi Hinkle can honestly say that everyone who stops by the Greenhouse has a story about E.E. Hinkle. Some of them are even true.

It's been said that E.E. was loved by one and all. With a few exceptions over the years, this has been found out to be true. Few have been so loved so well for so long. When someone talked about "Grandad" in Hyde County, it was seldom in reference to bourbon.

And so as the title of oldest living Hinkle gets passed to Don Hinkle we pray that he does the name justice, just as his brother did. Don was the runt of the litter. It was thought he's never see adulthood. And now he only has 13 years to beat his brothers record. He's off to a great start!

Being Front Page news in Holabird is easy. The Front Page is all we have here at the Holabird Advocate. And the population is small enough that every who wants to can be Front Page news, sometimes those who don't want to as well.

In the Twin Cities area, it's a little different. Kevin and Jaime Hansen of St. Paul, Minnesota have become Front Page news for a somewhat bizarre set of circumstances. Apparently, they were almost about to give birth to a satanic child, or so they were led to believe.

There soon to be delivered daughter was to have been born on 6-06-06, but they were talked into postponing delivery until the next day by a well meaning nurse. You can read all about it at this link: http://www.startribune.com/462/story/471780.html

No reported name for the baby. Hopefully not Belle Zebub Hansen!

On a totally unrelated matter, 06-06-06 is also Primary Election Day in Hyde County. Democrat get to pick their candidate for Governor, while Republicans get to choose the Hyde County Register of Deeds. All of us here at the Holabird Advocate hopes that the best man wins. As Hillary Clinton says, "Sometimes the best man for the job is a woman."

Luckily this whole thing will all blow over soon, and should not be a problem for another 100 years, providing we survive it.

Darrel Hinkle decided that after getting 1.08 inches of rain, it was too wet to make hay, so he decided it was time to give the calves their spring shots. Ron LaFortune helped out too. It was a long hard day, with alternating pouring rain and blistering hot sun. Jerry Hinkle was kicked three times, and only cussed twice. That's 2 cents in the swear jar. We won't mention the names of those who will need folding money, but Mary Hinkle kept her mouth so clean that perhaps the swear jar owes her some money back.

Jerry should have also remembered Shannon Jurgens advice concerning sunscreen. Some folks thought Jerry was working on the second day of a sunburn, but no, that was just one day. Even though he has never heard her voice, Jerry can feel Shannon singing "Red Lobster for the seafood lover in you!" She's no Janie Fricke!

For reasons that nobody quite understands, E.E. Hinkle is in quite a bit of pain. After having almost choked on pudding Friday afternoon, he has not eaten anything, but has taken in water and the occasional sip of orange soda. He can't even keep "Boost" down.

Joyce Ferris has done a remarkable job watching over her 103 year old father so the rest of the family can tend to the cattle and other things. Mavis Kennedy will be on her way to help out tomorrow. E.E. Was surprised by a visit from Ed and Donna Wallis from Decatur, Illinios. Unfortunately, he couldn't visit as well as he has in the past. All of us here at the Holabird Advocate know that either way he will recover. Still, our prayers go out to him and his family.

It is getting difficult for E.E. Hinkle to swallow food. When he does swallow, some of it comes up again. His lungs are filling up as well. It is feared he is coming down with pneumonia. As for what to do next, the Hinkle family is looking into Home Health Care. The hospital does not seem a good option, as the last time he was admitted the staff acted as though they didn't want him in there. Getting a hospital bed into the Ponderosa Pines Old Age? Assistance Home is also a priority, so E.E. can sit up easier. He has also been in a lot of pain. As he puts it, he "Aches all over". Tylenol doesn't seem to do the trick for him either.

Joyce Ferris came back to help out as best as she can.
Rev. Jenene Earl from the Methodist BHH Parish came to see him this afternoon. It was comforting for the family to know she thought that much of E.E. and his family. This current state of affairs has shown the Hinkle family who their true friends are.

In the late afternoon and early evening, Hyde County was under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning. According to The Weather Channel and Keloland's Live Doppler in Huron, the Myers Hill area is getting the brunt of the storm. It was predicted that the storm would bring nickel sized hail, among other things. Hopefully we can count on an official report in the future. It's not all bad news at the Myers place. Since Rachel Myers is a full blown lawyer now, perhaps she can sue mother nature for storm damages. Either way, they are in our prayers this night.

While he hasn't got enough strength in his legs to stand, E.E. Hinkle has managed to use the toilet. Here lately he has been using his grandson, Jerry Hinkle, to do his legwork. Jerry has even changed enough diapers in the last day that his hands have taken on that "old people smell" that Harold Hinkle talks about. Jerry washes his hands more often as well.