Minnesota Prairie Roots

Los 3 Reyes Bakery, at the center of a controversy over paint color choice in Faribault.

MARIANO PEREZ, owner of Los 3 Reyes Bakery in historic downtown Faribault likes the bright green color of his bakery.

“In my country, they use this color every house,” says Perez, a native of Morelos, Mexico. It is, he adds, a “happy color.”

But not everyone in Faribault appreciates the vivid storefront in the 400 block of Central Avenue, an area of primarily neutral brick buildings. Perez was approached about repainting the bakery a more subdued green after some business owners took issue with the color, according to a report in The Faribault Daily News. Businesses even donated monies for repainting when Perez indicated he could not afford to redo the recently-painted bakery.

The entire situation has created quite a stir in the community based on comments made on The Daily News website. And rightfully so. Why should Perez have to repaint the building? He’s breaking no laws, ordinances or historic district guidelines.

Rather, here is a man who simply wanted to improve the building he rents and did so by choosing a paint color common to his culture. So what if it doesn’t resemble every other building in the block or downtown?

You might expect Perez to be upset about the whole controversy, but surprisingly, he isn’t. “I don’t want to change (the color), but I do what city say,” he tells me. “We can paint any color. I like to see the building nice. It doesn’t matter to me. No problem to change color.”

But, Perez adds, “More people like it. I think two people don’t like it. I don’t know why they don’t like it.”

Numerous people have stopped at his business, encouraging him to keep the “very nice color,” Perez says.

I agree. He should keep the “happy color” that reflects his culture, and his demeanor. He’s done nothing wrong. Perez is living the American dream by running his business in a free country. He’s bringing business to downtown Faribault. He’s also meeting a need in the community.

That said, I admire Perez’ positive attitude and genuinely sincere and cooperative spirit. I doubt I could be as gracious. I expect that had this been anyone else, lawyers would already be engaged in the issue.

Half a block from the bakery, Books on Central sports new coats of purple and orange paint. Will this building be next on those pegged for a paint make-over?

In the 200 block of Central Avenue, Banadir Restaurant offers a colorful storefront to those patronizing the Somali business. Will this be the next target?

I've never known what business occupies 117 Central Avenue, but the color choice certainly makes it stand out from other buildings. Should this get a face lift too?

Personally, I can't stand the color of these government-mandated recycling bins, which clutter the Faribault landscape. I also don't like the blue color the city paints bridge railings. And once my neighbor painted her house a hideous bright blue. I have nothing against blue, but this simply illustrates that everyone prefers different colors.

You'll find brightly-colored buildings in the La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Although primarily a tourist destination today, the area is surrounded by houses with painted sheet walls of varying colors. Photo by Miranda Helbling.

Argentina's presidential palace is painted pink. This is the back of La Casa Rosada in a photo taken by Miranda Helbling. Different cultures, different colors.

So what do you think? Should Mariano Perez repaint his bakery a subtler green or leave the color he chose?

(Watch for a future blog featuring photos taken inside this charming ethnic bakery.)

© Copyright 2009 Audrey Kletscher Helbling and Miranda Helbling

A native willow chair welcomes Meander visitors to Stony Run Woods near Granite Falls, the studio of Dale and Jo Pederson. Photo by Pam Nedrud.

Jerry Ostensoe and Richard Handeen are among musicians performing Friday evening at the Old Milan School Building in Milan. Photo by Kristi Link Fernholz.

IF YOU’VE NEVER explored western Minnesota, this coming weekend would be the ideal time to pack up the car and head west. Or if you’re from the region, Oct. 2 – 4 offers an opportunity to explore your backyard.

The area is showcasing the works of about 50 artists during the annual Meander Upper Minnesota River Art Crawl. You’ll view a broad range of arts from photography, watercolor paintings, pottery, quilting, folk art dolls, rosemaling and more during this self-guided tour.

Visitors will experience the arts, history and culture in and around Ortonville, Appleton, Madison, Milan, Dawson, Montevideo and Granite Falls. It’s land I know, because I grew up in Redwood County, a bit to the south and east.

This is a place of big skies and open spaces and, in those areas where the Minnesota River twists through the land, an especially beautiful landscape in the fall. With trees changing colors and corn and soybean fields ripening to the shades of harvest, plenty of scenic vistas abound.

Artists will welcome visitors to locales like Moonstone Farm, the Milan Village Arts School and Java River Café. Those folksy names speak to the rural nature of this place.

Meander hours are 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday. Special musical events are planned from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. on Friday in Milan and beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Dawson.

For more information, including a downloadable brochure, go to www.artsmeander.com Or call 1-866-866-5432.

Special thanks to the Prairie Waters Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.prairiewaters.com) for sharing the above photos with the readers of Minnesota Prairie Roots.

Gene Tokheim displays a piece of stoneware. Photo courtesy of Minnesota Office of Tourism.

Shoppers admire artwork on display in the tiny town of Milan. Photo by Kristi Link Fernholz.

YOU WOULD THINK THAT, having grown up only 1 ½ hours west of Mankato, I would have read the Betsy-Tacy books as a child. But the fact is, I never heard of Mankato author Maud Hart Lovelace’s books until I had children of my own.

Perhaps it’s because I lived in Laura Ingalls Wilder country that I knew nothing about these delightful books of historical fiction. And without a library in town, I relied on teachers to shape my literary world. Either they never knew of the Betsy-Tacy books, or they chose to focus instead on Wilder’s Little House series, which I truly love.

But I also love the Betsy-Tacy books that follow main character Betsy Ray from age five into childhood and marriage. The stories take place in Deep Valley (Mankato), are set at the turn of the century and are based on Lovelace’s life. I first read the books to my daughters 17 years ago, when they were six and four.

I remember snuggling on the couch, my girls leaning into my shoulders, as I read the mischievous adventures of Betsy and her friends, Tacy and Tib. Oh, how we laughed at the trio mixing together Everything Pudding with ingredients like bacon grease, vinegar, onions, sugar, raisins and red pepper. The “yuck” factor endeared that story to us.

The artwork of Lois Lenski (in the first four books) helped us visualize Betsy, Tacy and Tib, who could have been my daughters’ friends—playing house, going for walks, cutting each other’s hair, mucking in the mud.

These fictional friends became so dear to us that we soon nicknamed my youngest daughter Tib. Like Tib, Miranda had curly blonde hair and maybe a bit of naughtiness in her. To this day, we still fondly call her Tib on occasion.

And then when my son, Caleb, was born years later, we started occasionally calling him Cab, after Cab Edwards, Betsy’s friend in the book series.

With all of that background, you’ll understand why I’m excited about the recent re-issuance of the six high school books (in the 13-book series) as Harper Perennial Modern Classics. The “new” books go on sale today.

And on Saturday, the Mankato-based Betsy-Tacy Society is celebrating with a book release party from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at the Betsy-Tacy houses, 332 and 333 Center Street in Mankato. The afternoon features reenactors, music and refreshments. And, of course, you can purchase Betsy-Tacy books.

For more information, go oline to www.betsy-tacysociety.org. You may also wish to read a feature I wrote about the Modern Classics for the September/October issue of Midwest Mix Magazine. Go to www.midwestmixmagazine.com.

Just one more bit of exciting news: Emily of Deep Valley and Carney’s House Party will also re-issue next summer as Harper Perennial Modern Classics.

Newlyweds Kristina and Corey greet well wishers outside St. Elizabeth's Church in Brennyville.

The beautiful bride, my niece Kristina.

MY NIECE KRISTINA was married Saturday in Brennyville.

A beautiful bride on a beautiful September day, marrying the love of her life, Corey.

The New Testament reading came from I Corinthians 12:31 – 13:8a:

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.”

To see such young love, like that which Kristina and Corey share, simply makes the heart sing with happiness.

To celebrate their love as a member of their extended family simply reaffirms the importance of family in one’s life.

What a joy for me to have been there, to have shared in their happiness, to have lifted my right hand in blessing upon them with a congregation of family and friends on their most blessed of days, their wedding day.

Guest shoes and bridesmaid shoes.

The bridal couple's car outside St. Elizabeth's Church.

Kristina and Corey, just married and leaving for their reception at Jack and Jim's Event Center in Duelm.

Corey carries his bride into the wedding reception.

Photos © Copyright 2009 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

Our old PerfecTemp furnace works fine (we think), but it's, oh, so energy inefficient and probably not safe.

ENOUGH ALREADY, I nearly want to scream.

For several weeks now, my husband and I have been discussing the purchase of a new home heating and cooling system. This has involved research, asking family and friends for opinions, meeting with “furnace guys,” discussing choices and more.

And just when I thought we had it all figured out, I had to go and ask more questions: Does your bid include a programmable thermostat? What about the permanent air filter? You didn’t tell us about that.

So now I have more options to consider: Do I like filter A, filter B or filter C? It was easy to eliminate filter A, the permanent, washable filter, after the furnace guy told me he throws them away. After seeing the flimsy filter, I agreed with his decision.

That leaves a regular small-pleated filter and a pleated filter so big it could be Paul Bunyan’s accordion. The larger filter fits a whole-home filtration system and must be replaced once a year at a cost of about $40.

The filtration system, I’m told, will keep most of the junk (a.k.a. mold, dust, allergens, etc.) out of the air. But I wonder, does this system really work, or is it hype?

And then the furnace man throws me another option. Seems we can get a more energy efficient air conditioner for an additional $274. Because the Xcel Energy rebate is higher, $330 instead of $180, the unit will, in reality cost us only $125 more than the less efficient model we had already decided on. See why my head is spinning.

Then he hands me a brochure about duct cleaning. We had discussed this earlier and I’m still researching the topic.

So, between comparing furnace brands, energy efficiency, filters, government energy tax credits, energy rebates, duct work options and more, I’m about ready to say: “The old furnace works fine. Let’s just keep it. To heck with air conditioning. We don’t need it. We’ve gotten along just fine without air for 25 years.”

But I know better. Our furnace is vintage 1960s and is 60 percent or less energy efficient, or more accurately, it’s quite energy inefficient. When one of the furnace guys looked at the aging furnace and asked whether we have a carbon monoxide detector, well, that clinched it.

If you have any advice regarding heating and cooling systems, whole-house filtration systems and/or duct cleaning, I’m listening.

Which air filter would you choose?

© Copyright 2009 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

The White Birch Artists are kicking off Art Leap 2009 with a reception from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at the Park Rapids Area Library.

Talking Stick, Volume 18, Common Threads, officially releases at a weekend party.

IF I DIDN’T ALREADY have a jam-packed weekend and I lived closer to the Park Rapids area, I would certainly consider heading north this weekend for Art Leap 2009, a driving tour of artists’ studios and other cultural destinations.

That’s according to info I gleaned from www.parkrapids.com, where you can find details about the Sept. 26 – 27 event. Unless otherwise noted, hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Bemidji artist Al Belleveau tipped me off today to this arts tour. Bemidji has a First City of Arts: Studio Cruise set for Oct. 16 – 18.

Autumn arts tours seem to be growing in popularity in Minnesota. We have one coming up in the Faribault area (Southcentral Minnesota Studio Art Tour, Oct. 24 – 25) and there’s one in southwestern Minnesota (Meander, Upper Minnesota River Art Crawl, Oct. 2 – 4). And that’s a good thing. What a perfect mix—driving through our beautiful state to view the fall colors and stopping along the way to visit with artists or take in a performance.

The Park Rapids Area Arts Council is sponsoring Art Leap 2009, a tour that leads visitors to places like Menahga, Forestedge Winery & Gallery, Stoney Lake, Nevis, the Long Lake Theater, Park Rapids and Strawberry Lake Corner. I love the folksy sound of that name, Strawberry Lake Corner.

No matter your artistic bend, you’re sure to find a medium of interest, like woodcuts, pottery, stoneware, weaving, jewelry, batik, photography and much more, not to mention live theatrical and musical performances and poetry readings.

The Jackpine Writers’ Bloc is also hosting a book release party on Saturday, Sept. 26, in Park Rapids for The Talking Stick, Volume Eighteen, Common Threads. This literary journal features a collection of poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction from some of Minnesota’s most gifted writers. I haven’t read volume 18 yet, but volume 17 has made me a fan of this outstanding anthology. Check it out at www.thetalkingstick.com or www.jackpinewriters.com.

That said, if you’re free this weekend, head to the Park Rapids area for a little culture.

Henry Schoolcraft's poetic words in stone at the Itasca State Park interpretative center. Click on the photo to enlarge. The Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center is on this weekend's Art Leap 2009 tour.

A Native American doll for sale at the Itasca State Park gift shop. Native American crafts, foods and more are featured in the Art Leap 2009 tour and can be seen at Strawberry Lake Corner this weekend.

(Watch upcoming blogs for more info about Minnesota art tours.)

© Copyright 2009 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

Merchandise at the Rice County Steam and Gas Engines Show flea market awaits shoppers.

SOME PEOPLE LIKE THEM. Others hate them. But I am among those who enjoy shopping at garage, rummage and yard sales and the occasional flea market.

Actually, I’ve been shopping like this for nearly 25 years, out of necessity at first, to buy baby stuff and later clothes for my growing kids. Now I shop such sales for enjoyment and the thrill of the hunt.

It’s also currently vogue to recycle and reuse as part of the going green fad. And to think that I am actually, for once, part of a trend rather than lagging years behind is truly remarkable. Typically I could care less about the latest whatever.

That said, just look at the items I found (with my camera lens at least) at the Rice County Steam and Gas Engines, Inc. show near Dundas a few weeks ago.

Not real roses, but fake roses from China.

Some call it "junk." I prefer the word "treasures" for flea market finds.

Fitting with the day's theme, toy tractors were available for purchase. A perfect gift for a would-be farmer.

In hindsight, I should have purchased some of these beautiful old jars for my kitchen.

Even the tractor quilts featured recycled batting, according to the woman who sewed them.

For more information about Rice County Steam and Gas Engines, Inc., go to www.ricecountysteamandgas.com.

© Copyright 2009 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

UP UNTIL AUGUST, I had only ever seen loons in photos or as artistic renditions, like these on this wooden tray in the Itasca State Park gift shop.

Loons in art at Itasca.

The only loons I had ever heard were on television or in the replica sound emitted by LoonTune™, a folksy-style toy created right here in Minnesota. See www.loontune.com.

So when I actually heard not one common loon, but two, while vacationing in northern Minnesota this summer, I was beyond thrilled.

These are birds that send a chill up your spine with their haunting voice.

My daughter Miranda photographed this loon near the shore of Lake Itasca in mid-August.

And to think I nearly missed these loons at Itasca State Park. I was walking along the sandy shoreline at the public swimming beach when a three-year-old boy ran up to me, held out his tightly-clutched hand and opened it to reveal a shell. He was so excited. I mean, really, really, really thrilled about his discovery.

Soon he was plucking more shells from the edge of Lake Itasca to show me. Back and forth. Back and forth. He was so cute that I simply had to stay and play his little game.

And that’s when I saw my first loon, not far from shore, dipping and diving in and out of the lake waters. Later I would hear, but not see, a second loon after insisting we stop at Peace Pipe Vista, a scenic Itasca State Park overlook.

Itasca Park's scenic Peace Pipe Vista, where I heard my second loon.

The loon’s edgy, lonesome voice captivated my attention as did its sheer size. I never expected a loon to be so big. Adult common loons weigh 8 to 12 pounds. This is no small, duck-sized bird.

The waterfowl’s ability to stay under water for so long, up to five minutes, also impressed me.

And those red eyes, well they’re not to scare you. They actually serve a purpose—helping the loon see better while under the water.

I had, of course, learned all about common loons back in sixth grade, when I studied Minnesota history. But that was decades ago, in a southwestern Minnesota classroom, in an area of the state where there are no loons.

Finally, after all these years, I saw and heard a real loon and, like the preschooler with his shells, I was thrilled with my discovery.

© Copyright 2009 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

Loon photo by Miranda Helbling

MY DAUGHTER MIRANDA, who is a Spanish major senior at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, claims that her campus is over-run by ardillas. They rummage through dumpsters, hog sidewalk space and basically make a nuisance of themselves.

That’s why I was surprised when Miranda photographed a squirrel this summer while working at the Concordia Spanish Language Village north of Bemidji.

I speculate that because she had been away from the squirrel-infested Wisconsin college campus for a few months, she had forgotten just how much she disliked the overgrown rodent with a bushy tail.

Or perhaps she simply could not resist this mischievous baby squirrel that tried to peek inside a cabin window.

Whatever the reasons, I am posting this blog now, because my daughter has been back at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse for several weeks.

Do you still think this ardilla is cute, Miranda?

Photo © Copyright 2009 Miranda Helbling

Embroidered dish towels were among silent auction offerings at the Cannon Valley High School event.

‘TIS THE SEASON of fund-raising auctions and church dinners and festivals in Minnesota, and I hit my first one this past weekend in Morristown.

My husband, Randy, and I attended Cannon Valley Lutheran High School’s annual auction. Even though we didn’t make any major purchases this year as we have in the past, we still enjoyed a fun Saturday evening of interesting conversation, auction entertainment and great food.

You can't beat the homemade food served at the auction.

Did I mention the great food? These Lutherans serve up some fantastic a la carte selections like the pork sandwich, potato salad and slice of homemade apple pie that filled my plate.

Fresh produce stocked the country store at the CVLHS event.

Jars of pickled beets on display.

And that’s not all. In the country store, volunteers sold homemade salsa, pickled beets, honey, pickle relish, bars, more pie and a whole lot of other homemade goodies in addition to garden-fresh produce.

Delbert's Genuine Rhubarb Wine fetched $45 at the live auction. His grape wine sold for $50 and his plum wine for $25. It's always a hit.

The silent and live auctions offered yet more tempting culinary delights like one-gallon bags of Bonnie Borchert’s “Best Ever Caramel Corn,” which sold for as much as $50; Delbert Velzke’s ever-popular homemade wines; and black walnuts from Elmer Fuchs’ trees.

Dave Becher's two lady bugs drew winning bids of $30 and $35.

But this event features much more than crowd-pleasing foods. It also highlights the artistic talents of those who support Cannon Valley Lutheran High School. Evelyn Meschke donated dainty crocheted doilies. Jamie Hays brought her colorful butterfly art. Dave Becher contributed his quirky garden art lady bugs made from recycled bowling balls.

This shows just a portion of The Lord's Prayer fretwork.

And then there was The Lord’s Prayer that Bob Kuschel crafted from white birch and Minnesota black walnut. He carefully sawed every word of the prayer, letter by letter, to make this fretwork piece. This was his 24^th creation of the “Our Father” prayer, following a pattern used by his father many years ago and only recently rediscovered, according to CVLHS art teacher Barb Bruns. The artwork made by the elderly Kuschel sold at Saturday’s live auction for $275. I was impressed by the skill and talent invested in creating this outstanding piece.

One dozen of Kathy Hallanger's fall-themed cookies sold for $40 during the CVLHS live auction.

From catered meals to a week at a cabin to 50 bushels of corn for a corn burner to a pickup load of firewood to a half a hog to bird baths and a digital TV, the auction lists were packed with a variety of merchandise.

While we bid on a few items, we didn’t end up with any winning bids. But that’s OK. We still enjoyed the evening of arts, entertainment and fine dining, Cannon Valley style.

For more information about Cannon Valley Lutheran High School, go to www.cvlhs.org.

A mystery box at the CVLHS silent auction attracted plenty of attention, including mine. I guessed a microwave. Anyone care to reveal the mystery?

Plan to attend a fundraising auction, dinner or festival in your area this fall. You never know what you’ll find while supporting a worthy cause.

© Copyright 2009 Audrey Kletscher Helbling