Earlier this week Pope Benedict XVI Announced that he was going to retire from the Papacy effective at the end of the month. this move has shocked not only the faithful, but the Protestant and Jewish communities of faith as well. In fact the only people who seem to be enjoying this announcement are those who have no faith to speak of. The 85 year old Pontiff had a good run of 8 years. It least he lasted longer than Pope John Paul I did!

After giving up talking about politics for Lent last year, Holabird Advocate Publisher, Jerry Hinkle has decided to really challenge himself, so he's giving up peanut butter. Before making it public, he tested the news on some people, most of whom didn't think it was that big of a deal. Yet those who grew up with Jerry and know him best realize just how big it is, because peanut butter is the only food that he likes more than beef. To be on the safe side, he will try to avoid peanuts altogether. Jerry had thought of including chocolate in this year's Lent offering, but with tomorrow coming up, that would be too hard. It has also been suggested that Jerry give up Facebook. He had considered that, but realized too many people rely on his wisdom and humor to get through their day.

Critics are upset with Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue because the models are seen (at least by the women) with natives dressed in stereotypical fashion. All of us here at the Holabird Advocate miss the days when people called that issue of the magazine a meat show. We are disappointed that some of the swimsuits are just painted on and we mean that literally