×

Dengler Domain: Remember

Sean Dengler. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

As I drove through the rolling hills near Clutier, looking at the corn and soybeans changing colors, it was a time of reflection. After a walk in one of the most serene places, the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, I drove through Clutier. When my grandma, Ferne Pohlman, moved to town, I spent a bit of time down in the city of six-on-six high school girls basketball champions.

As I drove down the main drag, I saw the old Farmers State Bank building where My Mother’s Place used to be, if my memory serves, on the west side of the street. I would be remiss to say what I ate at this establishment, but it was dark colored inside with tables and chairs spaced evenly throughout this restaurant. It was nice to eat at a place in a small town which did not have a bar.

When in Traer, it was enjoyable getting cookie dough ice cream at Gas-N-Grub. Despite coming from a regular ice cream machine, this ice cream was pristine. Delicious deli sandwiches were also made at this gas station. While others might have stayed away from the burgers which were in the warmer for who knows how long, I had no fear and never felt any repercussions. Before shutting down, this was my gas station food of choice. There were also small red, uncomfortable booths which made for a nice spot to sit with family to enjoy a meal or ice cream.

On top of the hill near Gas-N-Grab sat Bergen’s Country Diner. This restaurant was never busy, but I do not remember what I ordered for food in this green themed restaurant. The largest size made it feel important while being predominantly displayed on Highway 63. It was always a popular place for my grandpa to meet other old men to talk current affairs over coffee. For a brief time, a Bergen’s restaurant existed in Dysart. Nothing too memorable about it besides it being a longer and skinnier restaurant than the Traer location.

Back to Clutier, I remember stepping foot in the world’s tiniest grocery store next to what is now the Bohemian Blonde. At the time, it felt larger. Compared to Dysart’s or Traer’s grocery stores, this one was maybe a fourth of its size. A small grocery store for a small town, but that worked. It needed to be there for those who needed an item in quick fashion.

All these fine establishments are relics of the past, and that is okay. Many other establishments existed before these ones, and some have continued to exist after they closed. There is time and place for yearning for the past, but today is meant to honor and celebrate these institutions.

Sean Dengler is a writer, comedian, farmer, and host of the Pandaring Talk podcast who grew up on a farm between Traer and Dysart. You can reach him at sean.h.dengler@gmail.com.