MINNESOTA WINTERS can get long. So long that many of our older residents flee to Arizona or Florida, becoming snowbirds for a few months before returning here in the spring. They don’t have to worry about shoveling or plowing snow or navigating snowy roads.
But for those of us who live here year-round, winter requires stamina and distractions to endure the snow, ice, cold and darkness that hallmarks Minnesota winters. In recent years, the Minnesota Department of Transportation has provided an entertaining diversion from winter in its annual Name A Snowplow Contest.
Recently, the winning names in the sixth annual competition were announced, demonstrating once again the creativity of those who came up with monikers for snowplows in each of MnDOT’s eight districts. It’s a process to get there from submissions, to selection of finalists, to voting. This year nearly 19,000 people voted, with “Oh, For Sleet’s Sake” as the top vote-getter. Gotta love that wintry version of “Oh, for Pete’s sake!”
As a creative myself, I’m always surprised by the names, most of them a play on phrases, a song, a pop culture whatever. You really do have to be up on your current musicians and such. I am the first to admit that I am not.
But “Flurrious George,” the name picked for District 6 in southeastern Minnesota with headquarters in Rochester (my district), is rooted in a name familiar to me. It’s based on the mischievous monkey in the Curious George children’s picture books. You know, the monkey who messes with The Man in the Yellow Hat.
Yet, this snowplow name stretches beyond a monkey and a man to a personal memory. Of my mom. In the final years of her life, when COVID-19 kept me from seeing her in a long-term care center 2 ½ hours from my home, Mom developed an attachment to Curious George. She couldn’t get enough of this monkey’s antics. She loved to watch Curious George cartoons on DVDs stacked in her room. Mom was so fixated on the story that a staff member, on her own time, shopped for a stuffed toy Curious George for her. She clutched that monkey like a toddler’s security blanket.
I don’t know what happened to Mom’s Curious George. I wish I had the plush monkey she cradled on her lap, touched with her fingers. It would connect me tangibly to my loving mother, who died four years ago in January 2022.
I’ve never really cried over losing Mom. I just haven’t. Until today. As I was writing this post about a snowplow named “Flurrious George,” I remembered photographing Mom holding Curious George when I visited her in March 2021. I hadn’t seen her in a year due to COVID visitor restrictions. I clicked on the story I wrote five years ago. I read. I scrolled. And I cried.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I am actually glad you were able to cry over the loss of your mom. I think that is really a good step. I have been missing my mom this week as well—- a social media memory popped up with a picture of a visit 8 years ago and it hit me in the gut. Being robbed of visits during Covid was so very difficult. I love Curious George as well and remembered your mom’s connection. So fun to remember that. Perfect name for the snowplow,!
Yes, crying felt good. And, yes, we lost so much because of COVID. The ability to see our moms. Then the ability to grieve at a funeral. Although we had a funeral for my mom, it was extremely difficult with family and friends refusing to wear masks. I did not stand in a receiving line. So much selfishness. So much loss. It was a difficult time.
Love Curious George – he still sits in a basket, from son to grandson. A timeless monkey. Will go read the other post.
Go get him to have for yourself. It won’t be hers, but I bet he will be a place to hold those memories in your arms. ~ Rosie
I love that you have Curious George to pass through the generations. Thank you for your loving comment.
My mom had a furry, soft angel doll that she held on to in her last days.
I think it’s a good thing that your tears fell when you were writing this piece.
An angel doll…what comfort that must have given your mom. And, yes, I needed to cry.
It sounds like your mom left on her own terms in the company of a good friend named George. And it sounds like a good cry was just what the doctor ordered. I love this story.
Thank you, Beth. When I started writing this post, I was uncertain how it would evolve. That’s the thing about writing. It can surprise us.
How are you, my friend?
aw, this is so bittersweet. you never know what will trigger feelings of loss and grief for someone you loved and continue to love even after they have passed away. they never really leave us.
for some reason this reminded me of that sweet monkey I’ve been reading about recently who lost its mother and has adopted a stuffed monkey to love and it has kept it company ever since. I am a great fan of sock monkeys for some reason and love to give them to new babies when they are born. isn’t it interesting how they are so connected to humans and our comings and goings? I love this post, Audrey. hugs-
I certainly never expected a Name a Snowplow contest results to trigger my grief. I needed this cry.
I love that monkey you’re referencing. I could watch that sweetness over and over again.