I was driving down to the Keloland studios this morning and couldn’t help but notice a couple things; Hoekness produce stand on the Austad’s east 20th street parking lot had just received another big flatbed full of sweet corn and people in the right lane were making dangerous moves across the flow of traffic so they could gain access to the fresh piles of golden goodness stacked on that trailer. Hoekness has finally wised up, I guess. Some marketing expert has figured out a way to make sure everybody who stops will spend at least five dollars. In the past, you could have all the corn you could carry away at a dollar a dozen provided you bought something else from the stand; a few green beans, a tomato, a cantaloupe, green pepper or even a single potato. Now corn is actually five bucks whether you get one dozen or five. Last week when I stopped, I left disappointed because the supply was picked way too early with under developed kernels that were more white than yellow. Sunday afternoon I gave it another try but the ears were all picked over. So, it was another disappointing departure from my favorite stand and on to the one by Lewis Eastgate where they claim the corn is local but I had my doubts since it was stuffed in what appeared to be Florida gunny sacks. Plus they don’t let you select the ears yourself.
I’d hoped to charm the indifferent young man wearing headphones that made a high pitched buzz sound when he took them off. “Pick me out six of your best ears will ya, there, pally?” Yeah, kill ‘em with kindess, I thought, that’ll humiliate him into treating me right. Wrong. I got home and had only three ears fit to eat. I considered driving back to the stand and shoving those white cobs where the sun don’t shine but thought better of it; instead writing off the experience as further confirmation that society has long since abandoned the golden rule and couldn’t give a fat rat’s patoot about fairness.
I’m not supposed to have sweet corn anyway. Another diet, you know.
As I drove by the swimming pool, which used to be Drake Springs but is now a brand new family aquatic center, I thought about stopping to take a picture and maybe writing a blog about what a short swimming season the pools offer with everybody, including lifeguards, going back to school so dadgum early. What a waste of these beautiful late summer days and fine facilities which shut down after just a few weeks. Maybe that proposed indoor pool is justified. Before snapping a photo, though, I had a vision of a policeman pulling me from my car, squeezing cuffs around my wrists and putting me under arrest for being a suspected voyeur. “But officer, I was just….” “Tell it to the judge ya perv.” I put the Kodak away.
Boy, this whole blog sounds like I’m awfully grumpy. Well, chalk it up to sweet corn deprivation.
16 Responses
Come to my sweet corn patch-it’s free & plenty of it!! 🙂
You called him “pally”??!!! I’d have made sure you only got ONE good ear! I would suggest that the next time you approach a sweet corn stand hoping for the choicest, most succulent ears that you address the seller as “stud” if the seller be male and “sweet thing” if the seller be female! These are terms of endearment semi-guaranteed not to fail in procuring the finest quality.
Some of that sell are good, honest people. That what the Dorns are– that sell. We make sure the ears are good – and they are guaranteed. Be sure there is GREAT corn and produce out there and that we are proud of what we sell. I am just a seller– but the owners care about how they are perceived and the quality you receive. I love my job0– and the people I work for. Come visit our stands!! Even better– come visit me!!
I have to agree about the short summer. wish we could go back to school starting after labor day. it’s usually too cool to do much outside stuff in May anyway and it would be nicer to have the whole month of August for fun stuff before school starts. maybe we need to have the legislature rethink this.
Rilling’s in Pierre has THE BEST sweet corn, and I need to be a little more observant of when the pickup is backed up to the building. Yum oh!!
Come to Mankato MN, look for the old Anderson Farms yellow or white Ford trucks. The BEST sweet corn ever!!
I do just fine getting mine at HyVee, if it is not right I can take it back and get more. Also we only get about 6 or so at a time. Can’t eat as many as I used to.
I agree with Sweeps. Rillings is purple ribbon corn. Can’t get any better anywhere. All their produce is GOOD, especially love their Black Diamond watermelons!!!!!!!!! The trip to Pierre is worth every penny in gas.
Check out Carpers Sweet Corn. They are from Madison & have a variety of veggies. All grown locally. They have the BEST I’ve ever had, plus they are the nicest family!! Go to carpersweetcorn.com to see their amazing web site. And when you buy a dozen, there are always extra ears in the bag!
I am with Cam. I just bought three nice, big, full ears at Hy Vee last night. It was as good as it could have been any place.
Doug, Takes a while to recover from a Alaska vaction Huh? Will Mogen’s Hero’s be at the Fair next week. If so, hope to see you at the BG! Harvey
Harvey.. Sorry we won’t see you at the fair in Huron this year. John says the schedules didn’t work out. I’ll miss our beer and peanut get together at the grandstand.
I’ve never been disappointed in the corn from Sunshine on 14th St. I assume it is locally grown, and delicious
Rillings (Pierre) always has great sweet corn! But…so far in 2013 Lynn’s Dakotamart sweet corn is just a tad better!
Such a problem to have…having to choose where to buy. Occasionally Rillings does run out of sweet corn until the next morning. Watch for the truck mentioned in another post. Another great blog Doug!
As a kid, we used to sell sweet corn by my aunt’s house on the corner of 31st and Western Avenue. One year Dave Deadrick stopped and bought a dozen. That was pretty cool.
When I see Sweet Corn stands, it brings back memories of when I sold it to make money for school clothes.