“STEP RIGHT UP! See the phenomenon that is attracting world-wide attention among pickle lovers—a gigantic bottled pickle.”
Yes, folks, if you had attended the Rice County Steam & Gas Engines, Inc., Show this past weekend in rural Dundas (like me), you would have discovered oddities and attractions worthy of a stop-and-look second look.
First off, we have…
…a peculiar overgrown pickle (or a cucumber) preserved in a slim-neck bottle and for sale at the flea market. Puzzled by this specimen, I asked another gawker, “How did that get inside the bottle?” He figures a small still-on-the-vine cucumber was inserted into the bottle and allowed to grow. Duh.
Next, we have…
…the black John Deere tractor. Again, I am puzzled. Why is this John Deere General Purpose Model B tractor painted black instead of yellow and green? Why is “MICHAEL” imprinted on the tractor? Is Michael the owner? And if so, can he answer my question?
For you toy collectors, we have…
…the amazingly expensive toy cow. Priced at $175, the rather forlorn-looking animal wasn’t flying off the shelf. Then Mankato collector/seller Steven M. Ulmen clued me in that the overpriced price was purely a joke. He would, he said, sell the miniature cow for a buck, or maybe even give it away to a kid. Steve also has a serious side. This former probation officer is an author. I left without a cow, but with two of his books, Blood on the Prairie: A Novel of the Sioux Uprising and his recently-published Bad Moon Arising.
Next, folks, we have a walk-through parts store on wheels…
…J. J’s Tractor Parts of Jackson stashes bins full of parts inside a semi trailer and travels to shows like the one in Dundas. The guy I talked to, who may or may not have been J.J., has been a traveling partsman since 1968. Three years ago he acquired the user-friendly semi trailer. I wanted to suggest, however, that he add a ladder to his inventory.
For all you hunters out there, impress your buddies without going on that big hunt by purchasing this flea market find…
…an antelope (I think) head. Need I say more?
Wait, sportsmen (and women), there’s more…
…try out this Ski Whiz from Massey Ferguson. This dual-seat snowmobile features a dual clutch steering system. No promises are made regarding speed.
And for those of you who prefer to order products from the comfort of your home, we offer…
…this 1949 Wards tractor found on page 250 of the Montgomery Wards catalog. Mail order brides, mail order tractors…
Finally, we advise you to read and follow this warning…
…on the back of a horse-drawn wagon: CAUTION POWERED BY OATS DON’T STEP IN EXHAUST.
So there, folks, you have it, just some of the many oddities I discovered at the Rice County Steam & Gas Engines Show.
CHECK BACK for future blog posts about the Dundas event.
© Copyright 2010 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
The black John Deere is painted in memory of my father. It was his tractor and black was his favorite color, so in his honor that is why it is black.
Josh, thank you for explaining the black color of the John Deere. That’s a touching tribute to your father.