Minnesota Prairie Roots

Writing and photography by Audrey Kletscher Helbling

About that PUMPKIN SPICE OIL CHANGE October 28, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — Audrey Kletscher Helbling @ 5:00 AM
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A pumpkin spice sign, far left, banners a fence at Glenn’s on the corner of Central Avenue and Seventh Street NW in Faribault. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo October 2024)

ONLY At…Glenn’s For A Limited Time. PUMPKIN SPICE OIL CHANGE.

That message bannering a corner fence at Glenn’s Service, a full service auto repair shop, gas station and towing service, 628 Central Avenue North, Faribault, certainly grabbed my attention. Not that I needed an oil change given my sort-of-retired automotive machinist husband services our vans. But, I wondered, what exactly is a PUMPKIN SPICE OIL CHANGE?

The sign led me to call Glenn’s and ask about that oil change. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo October 2024)

So I called Glenn’s, expecting to learn that oil change customers will be treated to a pumpkin spice latte. Not that I’ve ever had a latte. I haven’t. I brew my own plain black decaff coffee at home in my mini coffee pot. Nothing fancy for this girl, although I wouldn’t mind trying a fancy coffee drink.

The guy who answered the phone—the guy who isn’t Glenn, because Glenn passed away years ago—told me the whole PUMPKIN SPICE OIL CHANGE offer is a joke. Oh, so there’s no free pumpkin spice latte with an oil change? Nope. I didn’t ask for a detailed explanation because I know service stations are often busy places and I didn’t need to take anymore of this guy’s time. But he did volunteer that a customer had the sign made for the shop a few years back.

Glenn Rasmussen opened the business at this location in 1937. In 2010, Glenn’s son Donny sold the business to the Bock family, dad Bruce and his son, Steve. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo October 2024)

I can only imagine mechanics and customers joking about pumpkin spice this and pumpkin spice that. And then coming up with that PUMPKIN SPICE OIL CHANGE idea and someone ordering a banner and the guys hanging the sign, laughing the entire time.

It’s clever marketing, for sure. Humor works in marketing as does a message that elicits interest. That banner at Glenn’s has likely been the source of more than one entertaining story between oil changes, car repairs, tows…during this season of all things pumpkin spice.

© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

Hooray, Mom finally bought a coffee maker January 9, 2017

Filed under: Uncategorized — Audrey Kletscher Helbling @ 5:00 AM
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coffee-pot-copy

I CAVED. And it was time.

After my eldest daughter and her husband brought their French press to my house for Christmas weekend (per my request), I purchased a coffee maker. This was silly, asking them to pack one more item into a car loaded with baby equipment. For around $20, I could buy a coffee pot.

So on Saturday I shopped for a coffee maker, settling on a small size Mr. Coffee, a name brand I recognized. Then my husband and I fussed over filter sizes before I fussed even more over coffee brand. Who knew so many brands and types of coffee existed? Not me. I’m mostly familiar with Folgers, once promoted by Mrs. Olson as mountain-grown.

 

Among the sweet treats.

Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.

Several text messages later, I had a recommended brand name from the coffee drinking eldest daughter. She failed to mention, however, that I would be faced by shelves of choices. Which should I choose? I quickly eliminated “candy cane” coffee. That doesn’t even sound good. Donut Shop Blend tempted me. But would it taste like donuts or coffee served in a donut shop? That marketing strategy confused me.

Perplexed by the multiple choices, I phoned my daughter from the coffee section of the grocery section of a Big Box retailer. I could almost hear her laughing on the other end of the line. She was kind enough, though, not to laugh aloud.

I’ve now made my first cup of coffee in my Mr. Coffee, using a medium roast House Blend. The process proved simple, the coffee OK. But I’m no coffee connoisseur; each morning I consume a mug of instant French vanilla cappuccino. I expect many would not even peg that as coffee.

TELL ME: Are you a coffee drinker? If so, what brand and type of coffee would you recommend I try?

© Copyright 2017 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

A sweet treasure in downtown Lamberton March 9, 2011

Filed under: Uncategorized — Audrey Kletscher Helbling @ 8:49 AM
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DRIVE INTO ANY SMALL TOWN, U.S.A., and you’ll likely discover a treasure that the locals take for granted.

For instance, in Lamberton, Minnesota, I recently spotted a vintage sign on a beautiful brick building along the town’s main drag. I didn’t have much time to investigate as the guys in the car were anxious to keep moving. But we stopped long enough for me to snap a few photos and peer through the front window and door of Sanger’s Bakery.

 

This sign, suspended from Sanger's Bakery, first drew me to the building.

Inside, time stood still. An old 7-UP clock hung on the wall behind empty glass bakery cases fronted by one vintage stool (that I could see). Boxes of candy sat on the counter. I almost expected the baker aka ice cream and candy seller to walk into view, open the door and let me inside.

That, of course, was wishful thinking.

The bakery is closed, although men gather here in the morning for coffee, I’m told. You won’t find doughnuts or cinnamon rolls or loaves of freshly-baked bread, just coffee and conversation at the coffee klatsch.

Now, if I had discretionary cash, I’d buy this place, spiff it up a bit, but not too much to ruin its charming character, and reopen the combination bakery, ice cream parlor and candy store.

I could see the possibilities in that weathered sign, in the stunning brick building and in that single, empty stool.

 

The bakery's front window.

The bakery sits on a corner. I took this building side view through the closed window of the car, after we had driven around the block.

An up-close shot of the lettering on the bakery I wish was still open.

IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING about Sanger’s Bakery or have memories of patronizing this business, please submit a comment. I’d like to learn more about this former bakery which I consider a small-town treasure.

© Copyright 2011 Audrey Kletscher Helbling