Minnesota Prairie Roots

Writing and photography by Audrey Kletscher Helbling

Laughter & hotdish with The Looney Lutherans, then back to reality February 10, 2026

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Food plated at a potluck, including several hotdishes. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)

WHEN MINNESOTANS PREPARE FOOD for a potluck, they make hotdishes, not casseroles. Same thing, just a different word for a dish that mixes a protein, vegetables, noodles or rice all held together by a binding agent. That would be a creamed soup, in most instances.

Sometimes, though, hotdish comes not in food, but in entertainment. Saturday afternoon, The Looney Lutherans served up a hefty helping of humor, music, skits and audience participation to a sold out crowd at the Paradise Center for the Arts in Faribault.

A promo for the show presented in Faribault. (Graphics credit: The Looney Lutherans)

The two-hour show, “It Could Be Worse: A Looney guide to love, marriage and other relationships,” proved to be exactly what I needed. I needed to laugh. And I needed a pause from the reality of all that’s happening in Minnesota right now, although I still could not completely shut that out.

Before settling onto a folding chair at the back of the theater, I volunteered, opening an exterior door of the PCA as guests arrived, stepping in from the Minnesota cold. I’m a people person so I loved greeting attendees with warm words and a smile. Everyone smiled back, thanked me and that set the tone for a few hours in Paradise.

This was a show that, in the context of today, resonated with me. Using a food wheel, the Looney Lutherans showed and explained how each of us fit different food categories all centered around a singular food. Hotdish. That visual made total sense to me as a life-long Minnesotan. Whether we are Scandinavian or Bohemian; Lutheran or Catholic or no faith; Caucasian, Hispanic or another skin tone; extroverted or introverted, we are all just people.

The Looney Lutherans, Bella, left to right, Lois and Ginger, with their “instruments.” (Photo credit: The Looney Lutherans)

As the trio of Looney Lutheran performers sang “We are family,” I felt that loving, human connection. No matter our differences, we are all still part of humanity. The audience joined in, even me who can’t carry a tune.

In that moment of upbeat song, I felt hope. I felt happiness. I felt joy.

And when the show closed with the Minnesota phrase of “It could be worse,” I recognized the truth in that, even as bad as things are right now in Minnesota. I’d gotten a reprieve from reality for several hours.

Then I stepped outside—to hear incessant and prolonged honking of horns and yelling in the heart of downtown Faribault. My mindset shifted. Immediately.

© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

 

From car to military shows & more, there’s plenty to do in Rice County this weekend May 18, 2017

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A scene from the July 2016 Car Cruise Night. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2016.

 

INTERESTED IN VINTAGE CARS, flea markets, running for charity, gardening, military history, or comedy? If you are, check out activities in Rice County this weekend.

 

The U’s solar car at the August Car Cruise Night last summer. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2016.

 

Kicking off the weekend is Faribault Car Cruise Night slated for 6 pm. – 9 p.m. Friday along Central Avenue in the heart of historic downtown Faribault. The University of Minnesota solar vehicle is a special draw to this first of the summer cruise event. The car shows are held on the third Friday of the month from May through August.

 

An absolutely beautiful work of hood ornament art, in my opinion. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2014.

 

I’m a Car Cruise Night enthusiast. It’s a perfect time to mill around the downtown—appreciating the vehicles, the historic architecture and the people who attend. With camera in hand, I always find something new to photograph. Often, I view the artistic angle of the vintage vehicles. That interests me way more than what’s under the hood.

 

A Minnesota souvenir, an example of what you might find at a flea market. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2013.

 

Saturday morning brings the Rice County Historical Society spring flea market from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the RCHS, 1814 N.W. Second Avenue in Faribault. One of my favorite activities is poking through treasures. As a bonus, the county museum will be open at no charge.

 

The Drag-On’s Car Club graphics, photographed through the window of a vintage car. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.

 

Right next door, at the Rice County Fairgrounds, the Faribo Drag-On’s Car Club hosts its annual Car/Truck Show and Automotive Swap Meet from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday. The show includes pedal car races for the kids.

 

Edited image from Color Dash.

 

Also along Second Avenue Northwest, but at Alexander Park, Rice County Habitat for Humanity will benefit from a Color Dash 5K  sponsored by the Faribault Future’s class. On-site packet pick-up is at 9 a.m. followed by the race at 10 a.m.

 

Hosta will be among the plants sold at the GROWS plant sale. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.

 

If you’re a gardener, you’ll want to shop the Faribault GROWS Garden Club perennial plant sale from 8 a.m. – noon in the Faribault Senior Center parking lot along Division Street. Sale proceeds will go toward purchase of trees for city parks and flowers for Central Park.

 

This piece of military equipment was exhibited last September when the Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall came to Faribault. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2016.

 

Military history is the focus of the 8th annual Armed Forces Day—Military Timeline Weekend gathering at the Rice County Steam & Gas Engines grounds just south of Dundas/Northfield on Minnesota State Highway 3. I’ve never been to this event, which recently moved to the Rice County location. For military history buffs, this presents a unique opportunity to learn and to view living history as re-enactors role play noted military battles and more. The event opens at 10 a.m., closing at 5 p.m. on Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

 

The Looney Lutherans. Photo credit, The Looney Lutherans website, media section.

 

Wrapping up the weekend is “The Looney Lutherans” music and comedy show at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Avenue North in downtown Faribault. I expect this trio of actresses will work their magic on even the most stoic among us. I could use some laughter.

Before or after the show, check out the gallery exhibits, including one by 13-year-old Mohamed Abdi, a young artist already exhibiting a passion and strong talent in art.

There you go. All of this is happening right here. Not in the Twin Cities. But here, in greater Minnesota. Let’s embrace the opportunities in our backyard. Right here in Rice County. And, if you don’t live within county lines, we’d love to have you here exploring our part of Minnesota.

FYI: If you plan to attend any of the above events, please check Facebook pages and websites for any possible changes due to the rainy weather and also for detailed info. With the Paradise show, check on ticket availability in advance.

For more events happening in Rice County, visit the Faribault and Northfield tourism websites.

© Copyright 2017 Audrey Kletscher Helbling