The time of from DWU did our Publisher a little good. Before he left, Jerry Hinkle took his open book test on Martin Guerre. after he came back, he discovered that he got 50 points out of 50. His first perfect score in a non religion class. He's been constantly getting 30 out of 30 on the Reading Reflections for Classics of Christian Thought. It gets so that he doesn't even try to make sense on them anymore. Of course, how can you make sense out of John Calvin's predestination theory when you haven't had the lecture yet. The best part is that Jerry got an A on his Power Point Oral Report that he gave concerning Rev. Tim Fountain. Things are looking up, for now.

The Holabird Area provided a nice sort of central location for all of the major Bloggers (except us, of course) to get together and hunt with either rifle or camera. Looks like our Publisher chose the wrong time to go on vacation. Actually this little get together took place just as Jerry was coming back to Mitchell. All of us here at the Holabird Advocate are glad Ya'll had fun. Holabird is the best place to have fun in. The Corn Palace: a distant second.

While back home this weekend, I saw that our neighbors to the east in Highmore are still hurting because of Pam Huber's shooting death. People are displaying purple ribbons all over and declaring "Justice for Pam". Let's hope she gets some. I've also heard that Bob McKelvey was able to be home for Thanksgiving, but have not had that confirmed. That's good news if it's happened. Dad claimed he saw Allen and Dot Hanson in Pierre last Friday. No word on if they saw him. I'm assuming all is well with them too.

What's up with the B's, dude? It's a disappointment within the Hinkleton community to see that our idol is receiving sub-par grades. A person with your genius should be getting an A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++! Oh well, I suppose women can sometimes serve as a distraction, but I would think that you are the distraction to women! Take care, Jer! Keep on keep'n on! Mr. Grungio

From the e-mails we “forget” to return to the voice mails we “never received,” telling little white lies has become a very real part of our workplace routine. For the most part, we get away with it. After all, we tell ourselves, who are we really hurting? Anything beyond the occasional fib, however, and the lines get blurred.
To avoid a serious faux pas – and possible career sabotage – stay clear of the following 10 workplace sins:
1. Stealing Whether you think that the company “owes” you things like Post-its, pens and other office supplies, or you simply don’t think it’s a big deal, you should be sure about that in case your boss or co-worker catches you. Stealing can not only get you fired, it’s illegal.
2. Blaming someone else for your mistake It’s dishonest, childish and tacky. Very tacky. Sure, having to admit you made a mistake is embarrassing, but not nearly as embarrassing as it would be to have to admit you lied about it or tried to cover it up.
3. Spreading gossip Who knows why people get a certain high from hearing juicy gossip. Many of us are guilty of passing along at least a few rumors at times, but the more you can avoid doing so, the better off you will be. Try to avoid it. In addition, if you hear it, don’t repeat it.
4. Calling in sick when you are perfectly healthy … If you wake up and just cannot face the idea of going in to work, there’s no reason (unless this happens every day) you shouldn’t give yourself a vacation, personal or mental health day. Nevertheless, calling in sick is not only irresponsible and insensitive to the co-workers who have to cover for you, it could also be grounds for firing if you’re caught.
5. Or showing up when you aren’t The admiration your co-workers show you for coming in to work despite having the flu will be short-lived: It won’t take long for those around you to tire of hearing hacking, sniffling and coughing coming from your desk, nor will they appreciate being exposed to your germs.
6. Abusing office technology This includes (but is not limited to): spending a significant amount of time on personal phone calls, e-mails or instant messages; using office time to type and print out the pieces of your screenplay; going online to catch up on last night’s episode of “My Life on the D List”; and using the office printer to make the invites to your holiday party.
7. Involving co-workers in your personal problems If problems at home are distracting you from doing your job, that’s one thing, which you should take up with the boss or human resources. But involving your co-workers in your personal problems is distracting and unprofessional.
8. Getting too comfortable Dressing professionally is just as important as behaving professionally in the workplace. No matter how long you’ve been with the company, how “cool” your boss is, how much sleep you got the night before, or how cold or hot it is outside, you should always maintain a clean, workplace-appropriate appearance. Even if you work in a relatively casual office, you should still make the effort to wear clean clothes and have well-groomed hair. A good rule of thumb is to never dress better than your boss, nor worse.
9. Hitting on your boss This one has “Lifetime movie” written all over it. For every successful office romance story, there’s a disaster story to match it. When co-workers hook up, it always makes for a tricky situation; when one worker is subordinate to the other, the stakes get even higher. Unless you are well aware of your employer’s policy regarding office romances and are prepared for the possibility of rejection, avoid this one altogether.
10. Hitting on your employee. Consider all of the above, and add to that a possible sexual harassment suit.

Hello again: This is your Uncle Ken and ‘college prof,’ super-critic: In one of your last “Holabird Advocate” postings, you said your were “Idol no more.” It would seem that with all of the activities you’re getting involved in, you’re “idle” no more! In your most recent posting, however, you state that your friend introduced you as an “idle.” If you’re involved in all that the “Advocate” says you are, it would seem that you’re becoming an “IDOL.” Get ‘em separated. College profs [and, especially, the “grammarian” lot] are a picky, picky, picky bunch.
Seriously, if you’ve got stuff to submit for grades, send it on and I’ll be glad to proofread it for you. Your Aunt Joan is an astute grammarian, also.
Regarding writing, some of my favorite quotes are: “Only a fool would write, except for money.” [Ben Jonson] . . . and “The pursuit of excellence is commendable; the pursuit of perfection is neurotic!” Best wishes in your new found career as a student; sounds like you’re enjoying it.

Uncle Ken
Translating English for the Professor

I was quite confused about the idol/idle mix up, and actually had to read what I wrote. What I found was that everything is as it should be. "Idol no more" meant that I was not part of the Wesleyan Idol competition. I went from idol to idle. That's why I'm referred to as the "Wesleyan Idle" in the other post. that was my reference, not Scott's. His parent's are really nice too. I was shocked to see that they are both around my age, then I remembered where I was.

An overflowing crowd attended Pam Huber's prayer service on Tuesday,Nov. 6. Eulogies were presented from Vicki Day, Kathy Kerr, Julie Gutzmer, and Mary Ann Morford. They all described her as a loving parent, compassionate friend, patient, intelligent, willing to serve wherever needed, shy, dependable, helpful and efficient public servant.

She will be missed by all her friends, coworkers and everyone who knew her. She was so unassuming in all she did. She never did things for the glory. She was content to let others be in the spot light. Another overflowing crowd attended her funeral. They had the streets around the Church and surrounding neighborhood blocked off for places to park all the cars. The street in front of the church was parked 4deep and it continued on the other streets. Pastor Peterson gave a great sermon and the funeral was very worshipful although very sad. Now that Ken Huber has been arrested, may there be some closure and all the rumors will be put to rest.

I personally, am not from South Dakota and neither are my friends, but one day I was conducting a report on South Dakota for my American History class and I stumbled across your blog. Ever since then, I've been hooked, and I even turned my friends on to the wild and wacky world of Mr. Jerry Hinkle, the Great One. I hope to read more of your tales of craziness very soon! I am not a blogger. I am not nearly cool enough to do so. I am a freshman college student at Sonoma State majoring in Journalism. I can't wait to see the next blog, dude! On behalf of the Hinkleton community, take care!

P.S.- How did that Wesleyan Idol thing go?? I hope you won!

P.S.S.- My girlfriend thinks you are a TOTAL lady's man! What is your secret, oh Great One?!

Pam Huber, 46, of Highmore, died Friday, November 2, 2007, at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD Pamela June Huber was born April 15, 1961, at the Hand County Hospital in Miller to Donald and Irene (Stoley) Mason. She attended school in Highmore, graduating from Highmore High School in 1979. She worked briefly for Bill Paynter at the Hyde County Extension Office. She was employed by the City of Highmore as the Finance Officer since 1984.She also had an embroidery business called Stitchin' Time. She married Kenneth Huber in Highmore on August 27, 1993. She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, where she helped with Vacation Bible School and the Sunday School Christmas program. Her children's activities were her activities, whether it was baseball,softball, swimming, Girl Scouts or Junior Shooters. She was an active member of P.E.O., Highmore's 125th celebration committee, Hyde County Ducks Unlimited, Capitol Ladies Ducks Unlimited, Highmore Fire Department Ladies' Auxiliary and Highmore's Swimming Pool Committee. She assisted Women's Civic League with Snow Queen Decorations, often making the initial drawing of how the stage would be decorated and she assisted the Highmore High School Alumni Association with the all-school reunions. She was always available to assist with any local fundraising projects. She was a lifelong resident of Highmore,a loving and caring parent and friend and so very proud to be grandmother.Her memory will be cherished by her children; Jeremy and his wife,Lisa, Mason of Eau Claire, WI and Kari Huber and Stephanie Huber of Highmore; her grandchildren: Ryan and Russell Mason; four sisters:Linda (Richard) Johnson of Blaine, MN; Susan (Dave) Jibben of Curtis,NE; Nadine (Bob) Stephenson of Highmore; and Nancy (Lynn) Roth of Abilene, TX: and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Irene Mason.