After experiencing a certain level of pressure to find some way to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of his parents, Holabird Advocate Publisher, Jerry Hinkle spent much time in prayer looking for the answer. The answer came from his mother. Mary Hinkle told her oldest son that she and Harold Hinkle will be toasting to each other on the river, fishing with Ken and Joan Hansen. Joan served as Mary's Maid of Honor, so that is a nice touch. If they could get Maurice Ham over there to join them, that would be a real photo opportunity. We'll have more on this as events warrant.

     Yesterday when I clicked the "Publish" button yesterday, all I had planned for the next edition was to review the new Star Trek movie. I went, saw the movie, was overwhelmed in places, underwhelmed in others, and by the time it was over I was too keyed up to sleep, so I went to the Ramada to get online, relax a while and unwind. When I saw that I was tagged in a photo on Facebook, I was mildly curious. It was the photo that appears beside today's top story.

As I looked with wonder at the photograph, I remembered all kinds of things that I'd forgotten. I knew that Uncle Don's birthday was coming up, but forgot that his anniversary with Aunt LaRayne was just a few days before that on the calendar. At that moment knew that I had to move things around. It was not a milestone, and yet I felt compelled to celebrate 69 years, because you never know what will happen. And should they make it 70 years, I hope they feel like celebrating. I know the family will be.

     Then I remembered what my mother had said about her plans with my dad. It was great that they were able to arrange that weekend, and fishing together is really the most proper way to spend an anniversary for them. I know they'll enjoy themselves. The fact that it gets me off the hook as far as open house parties and card showers go is a bonus too!

Sometimes I wonder If I chose lifelong bachelorhood, or if it chose me. I remember Uncle Don telling the story of the time that he started dancing with Aunt LaRayne just as the band played "It had to be you". He knew that she was it for him. As for me, I've never really had a moment like that. I once told my dad that any woman who wanted to land me would have to really work at it. The thing was, no woman wanted to do that much work. Perhaps I didn't either. My only regret is that it took me so long to realize that it was OK to embrace lifelong bachelorhood. It works for me, just like being married works for Uncle Don and my Dad. When it stops working, then we'll see! Until then, God be with you and do the best you can!