Holabird got a little wetter last night as the Ponderosa got another half inch of rain. Harold Hinkle gave his old rain gauge to Darrel Hinkle so he wouldn't keep calling to find out how much rain was in the gauge. Darrel hasn't had time to hang it outside yet, so he called again this morning. The rain will continue off and on in the Holabird Area. We may even get some snow without praying for it.

The Tentative meeting scheduled for April 10 with Steve Cutler of the FSA will be moved to April 12 at the Hyde County Memorial Auditorium in Highmore. The time is still the same: 6:30 pm. Our Publisher hasn't found a ride to the meeting yet. If Reader Opinion has anything to say about it, he'd better get one pronto. So far 56% of the Readers surveyed want the Holabird Advocate to be a part of this story. That could change drastically before the actual meeting comes about. He does have a couple questions prepared. If he should come up with ten, we'll post them here on the Front Page beforehand.

Tomorrow is the big BB Gun tournament in Parkston, South Dakota. Brittany Hinkle has a better than average chance of placing high enough to qualify for the National BB Gun Match. Of course the eggs have to hatch before we count the chickens, but her shooting has been impressive this year. She is holding her own, despite being a year older and facing stiffer competition. All of us here at the Holabird Advocate sure send Brit our best thoughts and prayers. Go get 'em Good Buddy!

While Brit and her parents are getting ready for the shooting match, Shelby and Justin Hinkle are guests at the Ponderosa. Even though both are well below the minimum age of 8 to play Monopoly, they have been playing it with gusto. There does seem to be a bit of confusion between going to jail and just visiting. another controversy erupted concerning if one goes to jail for rolling doubles three times in a row. Jerry Hinkle settled that with the simple "My game, my rules!" declaration. If you ever play Monopoly with Justin, you'd know why the rule was made. This promises to be a fun weekend for Jerry. Not quiet, but fun!

Our Friends at the Dakota Radio Group report that South Dakota’s Farm Service Agency Director, Steve Cutler says he will continue to take input on proposed changes to the state’s FSA offices at upcoming meetings. Cutler attended two meetings in Dupree and Timber Lake yesterday. The two communities stand to lose their FSA offices; based on a plan put together by Cutler. An office in Eagle Butte could replace those two locations. Other offices in Kadoka, White River, Highmore, Woonsocket and Mound City are also on the planned closing list. Cutler says those attending yesterday’s meetings offered several comments and suggestions and asked various questions about his plan. He says most people in communities facing the loss of an FSA office are concerned that if the doors are closed-local businesses will see an impact. He says another worry he hears involves the additional miles that producers will have to drive to visit their closest FSA office.Cutler says the consolidations would better equalize the workload among FSA staff in South Dakota and in addition, would result in some cost savings of up to $100,000. His plan has been sent to Washington, D.C. and says once his suggestions come back, he will hold more public meetings and then a final report will be written and eventually be given a final look-see by federal officials. He says the process will take some time to complete. Cutler will continue to visit other communities that stand to be impacted by office closings.On April 10, a tentative gathering is planned at the Hyde County Memorial Auditorium in Highmore at 6:30 p.m. For more details, and audio sound bytes go to this link: http://www.dakotaradiogroup.com/mydailynews/MDNWednesdayMarch_28.htm

The main thing we all have in common is that we all have a Father in Heaven who is perfect. He's never to busy to listen, and he always gives the right answer when it come to advice. Even when you're 103, you spend most of your day in bed, and you wonder why it has to be like that, you still have a perfect Father. There never was a sitcom dad more perfect than him. As we come to the Easter season, I hope you remember that!

When you tell your wife your plans, she often shoots you down in a flaming ball of testosterone. That's because nobody else was there. When other people are there, your wife will be much more supportive. Here's a short list of things that should only be said when you're with others:
"I'm looking at getting a new boat."
"I plan to quit my job next week. "
"A bunch of the guys are coming over to watch wrestling."
"I'm in pretty good shape for a man my age. "
"We don't really enjoy going out to expensive restaurants."
"I went to the casino and lost big time. "

His name is on our greatest monuments an' all our money too.

An' when we pledge allegiance, there's no doubt where we stand:

There's no separation, we're one nation under Him.

In God, we still trust here in America,

He's the one we turn to every time the going gets rough.

He is the source of all our strength, the one who watches over us.

Here in America, in God, we still trust.

Now there are those among us, Who wanna push Him out.

And erase his name from everything, This country's all about.

From the schoolhouse to the courthouse, They're silencing His word,

An' now it's time for all believers, To make our voices heard.

In God, we still trust here in America,

He's the one we turn to every time the going gets rough.

He is the source of all our strength, the one who watches over us.

Here in America, in God, we still trust.

Here in America,

Here in America,

Here in America, in God, we still trust.

Here in America, in God, we still trust.

Here in America.

Todd Epp of SD Watch is running for Lincoln County Democratic Party Committeeman in the next month sometime. For a time, I thought of looking into the possibility of becoming the Todd Epp of Hyde County. I'm sure Hyde County needs a Committeeman (whatever that is). And I'm almost as brilliant as Mr. Epp. The best part is there's only about a dozen or so Democrats in Hyde County. If only half of them showed up to vote, I could bribe enough of them with my some of my mother's kuchen. That is if Democrats could BE bought. Perhaps I'll just rent their vote for a day!

Then I put it out of my mind. After all, what could I bring to the Party. I still have that application in at DWU. Oh well I may have this Committee thing as a back up, for a while anyway. One thing I know for sure, Democrats from all over the state will be praying that Mitchell becomes my new home office, maybe a few Republicans too! WHAT A COUNTRY!

At his mother's, suggestion, our courageous, dynamic Publisher, Jerry Hinkle, went to the Mainstreet Cafe for a cup of coffee while she had a haircut. A coffee and and a frosted roll will set you back a mere 80 cents. It's a pretty laid back atmosphere too. The place is clean, and the staff is friendly. Jerry was hoping that when his parents picked him up at the Cafe, that they'd want to stay for the Turkey Combo, which was today's special. For some reason, they'd rather go home to the Ponderosa for some toasted day old bread and stale fruit juice. Jerry picked up his door prize, which was a 5 piece screwdriver set. Next time he sees someone with a screw loose, he'll know what to do. The only bad thing Jerry can say about the Cafe is that there were no snicker doodles when he arrived. They must have run out of them. The snicker doodles are especially good. He gives the Cafe two thumbs up!

It would appear that Daylight Saving Time is not too popular. Only 12% of those surveyed think it's worthwhile. There are 44% who don't mind it usually, but the early start was not well received. The remaining 44% hate DST with a passion, and claim they always will.

One good thing about the late end too DST is that those devil worshipping trick or treaters will have to wait an extra hour before they can beg for candy from door to door.
North of 40: The name says it all

Courier is The Style of Today
The Courier Style is the third letter style we've shown. Already it's our least favorite. Happy Saint Patrick's Day anyhow!
Ponderosa Saves Electricity
We have discovered that even though there has only bee one week of Daylight Saving Time, the Ponderosa has saved 600 Kilowatts from this February 15 to March 15 over the same period last year. If they save next month, our Publisher may have to go along with the Government, as much as that pains him.

The Prayer of Saint Patrick
I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through a belief in the Threeness, Through confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation.
I arise today Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism, Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial, Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension, Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
I arise today Through the strength of the love of cherubim, In obedience of angels, In service of archangels, In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward, In the prayers of patriarchs, In preachings of the apostles, In faiths of confessors, In innocence of virgins, In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today through the strength of Heaven, the rays of the sun, the radiance of the moon, the splendor of fire, the speed of lightening, the swiftness of the wind, the depth of the sea, the stability of the earth the firmness of rock.
An Irish Toast to Friendship
Raise Your Glass With Me Now
"There are good ships, and there are wood ships, The ships that sail the sea. But the best ships are friendships and may they always be!"

Hemmingsen and Lund Together Again
Steve Hemmingsen and Doug Lund have both left active journalism for the time being, but they both blog on http://www.keloland.com/ on occasion. Hemmingsen who is the best blogger, not only in the Newsroom, but possibly the state, has a couple of really funny ethnic jokes and a little topical humor.

Hemmingsen's Post
http://blogs.keloland.com/blog/index.cfm?commentID=443

Lund's Post
http://blogs.keloland.com/blog/index.cfm?commentID=444

Kolda Processing and Eureka Bakery did not have a booth this year, but there absence did not take away from all the fun and excitement of the Crop Show. Jerry picked up a pizza cutter, while Phyllis Ehlers was lucky enough to get a dish scraper and $5 in booster bucks.

Meanwhile, at the Come Hahn Inn, Agnes Hahn baked some lutefisk to avoid having too many people in her house at the same time (darn Fire Marshall doesn't believe "There's always room at the table"). Jerry gave it thumbs up. There were no leftovers for Andy and Tracy Lennick when they came over later. The lutefisk sure went fast. That's because it tastes better than it smells. It would have to.

Today is "Get Over It day" When it comes to celebrating this holiday, nobody is better at it than Jerry Hinkle, courageous, dynamic Publisher of the Holabird Advocate, He recieved an invitation to party with Ms. Cindy Margolois, the most downloaded woman on the Internet. She sent the invitation herself by email. She obviously reads the Holabird Advocate. How else would she get his address? Anyhow, he has decided not to take her up on her offer. He thinks he can do Better. Will she "Get over it"? All of us here at the Holabird Advocate thinks she'll get along somehow.

He can turn down Cindy Margolis, but not even Jerry Hinkle could turn down his grandmother, Agnes Hahn. She is having a party at the Come Hahn Inn to celebrate the birthday of Andrew Lennick, her second handsomest grandson. Andy will be turning 22 on Sunday. Beside being a cousin to the birthday boy, Jerry is also his Godfather. So what gift will he give Andy. Jerry says he will take him out for pancakes tomorrow if Andy can get out of bed on time

With the State Quarters coming to an end next year, the U.S. Mint has tried to get another coin collecting fad going. They are taking Sacajawea off the dollar coin and replacing her with dead Presidents. They are starting out with George Washington. Some have become irate because there is no "In God We Trust" or "E Pluribus Unum" on the coin. They called for a boycott! Take heart numismatists! The words are carved on the edge of the coins to hide them from the godless communist malcontent liberal element that exists in this country to make them think they've won the battle. We found out about this when USA TODAY reported that several coins were accidentally uncarved. That was quite a publicity stunt!

So don't take one of those coins! Let the liberals have them! Look on the edge to make sure you have a REAL American Dollar Coin! We can't wait to see what John Adams looks like.

South Dakota Songbook
In Honor of Get Over It Day
"Get Over It"
I turn on the tube and what do I see
A whole lotta people crying 'Don't blame me'
They point their crooked little fingers at everybody else
Spend all their time feeling sorry for themselves
Victim of this, victim of that
Your mamma's too thin; your daddy's too fat
Get over it Get over it
All this whining and crying and pitching a fit
Get over it, get over it
You say you haven't been the same since you had your little crash
But you might feel better if I gave you some cash
The more I think about it, Old Billy was right
Let's kill all the lawyers, kill 'em tonight
You don't want to work, you want to live like a king
But the big, bad world doesn't owe you a thing
Get over it Get over it
If you don't want to play, then you might as well split
Get over it, Get over it
It's like going to confession every time I hear you speak
You're making the most of your losing streak
Some call it sick, but I call it weak
You drag it around like a ball and chain
You wallow in the guilt; you wallow in the pain
You wave it like a flag, you wear it like a crown
Got your mind in the gutter, bringing everybody down
Complain about the present and blame it on the past
I'd like to find your inner child and kick it real fast
Get over it Get over it
All this groaning and moaning and pitching a fit
Get over it, get over it Get over it Get over it
It's gotta stop sometime, so why don't you quit
Get over it, get over it
The Straight Dope: Going Postal
by Cecil Adams
Are employees of the United States Postal Service
more likely to be violent towards coworkers?
Dear Cecil:
Is it true U.S. Postal Service workers are more likely than other occupations to "go postal" on coworkers? Or is that just a perception from media reporting of these events?
— Scott, via e-mail
Cecil replies:
If I may speak on behalf of the nation's media, while we certainly deserve some of the blame for making the postal service sound like a psycho hothouse, you ain't sticking us with all of it. True, "going postal" is first known to have appeared in print in the St. Petersburg Times of December 17, 1993. However, the newspaper was reporting on a symposium on workplace violence organized by . . . well, read for yourself: "The symposium was sponsored by the U.S. Postal Service, which has seen so many outbursts that in some circles excessive stress is known as 'going postal.' Thirty-five people have been killed in 11 post office shootings since 1983." In other words, while the USPS didn't coin "going postal," it provided the platform, not to mention the data set, for the term's national media launch.
In fairness, you can't fault the postal service for wanting to get out front on this grim phenomenon. A few incidents as of '93:
In 1986 letter carrier Patrick Sherrill killed 14 of his coworkers at the post office in Edmond, Oklahoma, then himself, in the worst mail-related mass murder in the United States.
In October 1991 in Ridgewood, New Jersey former postal clerk Joseph Harris shot and killed his old boss, two other USPS employees, and a fourth person more than a year after being fired.
A month later in Royal Oak, Michigan, Thomas McIlvane killed four postal employees and himself after the USPS fired him.
Some more recent cases:
In 1995, former postal worker Christopher Green killed two postal employees and two customers while robbing a post office in Montclair, New Jersey.
In 2006, Jennifer San Marco entered the mail-sorting facility in Goleta, California, where she'd once worked and killed six employees and herself.
These incidents were widely covered in the media, the Sherrill case in particular, for the obvious reason that they were shocking crimes. However, even a casual reading of the facts would tell you the problem was exaggerated, and some news outlets said as much from the start: in the same 1993 symposium story that brought "going postal" into print, St. Pete Times reporter Karl Vick wrote, "Rampages in the workplace . . . remain a relative rarity." There had been about 1,000 workplace homicides in 1992, but most involved ordinary crimes such as convenience store stickups. The FBI estimated roughly 24 worker/boss killings a year; judging from the reported numbers, the USPS workplace murder rate was about three or four per year — admittedly a sizable fraction of the 24, but still a minuscule percentage of workplace slayings overall. It was the era of downsizing, though, which presumably led to a "toxic work environment," as one consultant put it, and the experts didn't want to talk about armed robbery, they wanted to talk about stopping the rage.
Probably the most conclusive study on U.S. postal homicides is the 2000 "Report of the United States Postal Service Commission on a Safe and Secure Workplace," which gives detailed statistics on the risks of working at the post office compared to other jobs. The study found that from 1992 to 1998, postal workers were only a third as likely to be murdered at work as the average worker. (That may be optimistic; a study by the Centers for Disease Control for 1980-'89 says the rates were about equal.) Most likely to be slain on the job? Taxi drivers and chauffeurs, with a homicide rate more than 121 times that of postal workers, and for that matter five times that of cops.
Of the 15 instances of post office homicide between 1986 and 1989, only four were judged to be purely work-related. Fourteen of the killers had problems such as substance abuse, mental illness, a violent past, or a criminal record, which suggests the USPS could have screened potential employees better. However, given that the agency employs more than 750,000 people and hires 40,000 workers a year, it's tough making a case that things are out of control.
Still, the USPS report suggests that working conditions at the PO are, to say the least, a little tense. Compared to average U.S. workers, the report found postal workers were more likely to be verbally abused by coworkers, much more likely to believe their coworkers held grudges against them, almost twice as likely to say their coworkers had serious mental problems, and four times more likely to agree that "the use of threats or violence is an effective way to get things done in the workplace" and that "many managers and supervisors try to provoke employees to violence." So if "going postal" is a myth, maybe we'd better add "so far."

I spend most of the winter in Florida. I'm not bragging, I just want to add credibility to my next piece of advice. Old guys should have short hair. There is nothing masculine or artistically whimsical about straggly wisps of curly white hair framing a wrinkle farm. Even if your hair is thick, you must keep it short. Generally, your hair looks older than you are, so letting it proportionately dominate your appearance will make you seem even more ancient than you deserve. When you're 18, maybe it looks good to see long, unkempt hair as a sign that you're just starting out. But at 60, you're not starting out, you're finishing up. And presenting yourself as "struggling" at that age does not enhance your overall image. So if you're an older guy, get your hair cut as often as you can. If you're cheap, get your wife to do it. Just make sure she has her glasses on and she's in a good mood.

The Lion Keeps Roaring
March came in like a lion in Holabird. This area and a good part of South Dakota is still in the grip of an almost statewide blizzard. Keloland and the other media outlets could have saved themselves a lot of trouble by reporting the schools that were still in session. Hyde County cancelled classes again today. Also cancelled was the World Day of Prayer in Highmore and Mary Hinkle's dental appointment in Miller. It looks like she'll be on soup until Thursday now!
With winds in excess of 40 MPH the new snow shows no signs of settling down anytime soon. It appears that this blizzard, which rates a 2 on the Harold Hinkle scale, won't let up until 6 am tomorrow according to the Cable Guy. I -90 from Sioux Falls to Albert Lea Minnesota has been opened. I-29 is still closed from South Dakota all the way down to Missouri. As they say at Keloland "It's a blizzard! Stay home!"
Agnes Hahn reports that The Crop Show has has been moved to next Saturday, according to the Sully Buttes crawler. Jerry Hinkle, our dynamic, courageous Publisher is thinking about asking Louise Moss out for pancakes so she can explain to him the difference between Yuma and Mesa. That is, providing he can find her phone number. She isn't listed in the phone book. Of course it's a Venture phone book, so that explains it. Or it could be that someone has to help him spell her current last name, which of course, hasn't been Moss for quite a few years now.Our Friends at KCCR report that State officials have been working on response efforts for the major storm that has hit the eastern part of the state. State Public Department Secretary Tom Dravland says the state has enough resources on hand to deal with any weather-related emergency that may occur in Central South Dakota.

The Annual Meeting for the Valley Township Board of Supervisors is scheduled for Tuesday March 6 at the usual time and the usual place. Before that happens, Clerk Harold Hinkle has to get the books in order. More importantly, he has to get the books from the County Auditor, who usually mails it to him.

This year's business is pretty much cut and dried. None of the supervisors need to be disciplined, so they have more time to work for the taxpayer. The two big questions this year is whether or not to opt out of the tax freeze and whether or not to disorganize. Jerry Hinkle will officially turn in his resignation as Valley Township Constable in anticipation of a favorable review from DWU. Elections will be held for the offices Chairman, Clerk, and Supervisor. Jerry will be making a cake for the occasion, with a little bit of help from Betty Crocker. All Valley township Residents are encouraged to attend. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.

Country singer, Hank Williams Jr. had a song out 25 years ago called "A Country Boy Can Survive". A lot of what he sang about in 1982 is still true today. The same goes for South Dakota country boys. We might not be able to plow a field or catch a catfish right now, but we sure are being tested. We have plenty of bread and milk enough til next Sunday. My dad's using a hacksaw to cut a frozen turkey in half. I'm nor sure why, but he's getting the job done. He must not know that one carves the turkey after one cooks it. He sure isn't gonna starve.

We're tough people out here. We don't need help from FEMA. We'll take a check if they offer it, but we want for nothing. It's plenty warm inside, we have electricity, it's all good. If things go sour on us, we'll figure out a way around it. We'll do it because he have to, but not until then.

No this isn't an ad for dish soap. This is a photo that somebody took of Bonnie Nickleson and Representative Stephanie Herseth, a woman way too old to be her daughter. Herseth was meeting with Bonnie recently on some very important official business at the Federal Building in Miller.

All of us here at the Holabird advocate are proud to know that Bonnie is important enough to have an official visit from a public servant of Ms. Herseth's caliber. Kinda makes you want to treat her with more respect. Doesn't it?

This latest storm system has got the State of South Dakota in a panic. Doug Hinkle alerted his brother Darrel Hinkle that he'd better get the Hyde County Rough Riders assembled in case of disaster. Doug works for the State Government in the area of disaster preparedness in Pierre.

Pierre isn't the only place that is nervous. School was called off today in Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Watertown, Huron and various schools in that area. Even schools of higher learning like SDSU and DWU were calling off classes.

Among the those calling off classes was the Hyde School District. A move that some parents call into question because they thought the weather wasn't all that bad. All of us here at the Holabird Advocate believe that the bus drivers may disagree with that assertion.

The Hyde County Nutrition Program didn't have dinner at the Senior Center today, and they didn't even serve Meals on Wheels. Louise Moss is starting to wish that she spent the winter in Mesa, Arizona. Our Publisher is hoping this clears up in time for the Crop Show on Saturday.

The Holabird Advocate Circulation Department reports that someone with a computer from the Missouri State Senate logged on to our little Newsblog. We believe it was either Senator Jeff Smith from the 4th District or someone who works with him. All of us here at the Holabird Advocate sincerely hope that they enjoyed the experience, and that they come back again soon and/or often.