We Minnesotans can applaud ourselves at the lengths we go to support the arts. Our appreciation of theater and museum, music and film, and everything in between was cemented in the 2008 election when voters approved a constitutional amendment to add sales-tax funding to projects all over the state.

No voter referendum, however, and no infusion of cash can ensure that Minnesota’s most popular artistic enterprise continue unaffected by the inexorable march of time. “A Prairie Home Companion,” humorist Garrison Keillor’s brilliant stage production that can be heard each week on Minnesota Public Radio, is not just a sweet diversion for our state, but arguably Minnesota’s most identifiable export. Keillor has recently recovered from a minor stroke and this has reminded us of both he and the show’s mortality — which also reminds us that now is a good time to applaud this unique enterprise that has enchanted Minnesotans for decades.

South Dakota has its Mount Rushmore, Arizona has its Grand Canyon, but Minnesotans traveling out-of-state can be reminded of the nationwide reputation “Companion” has earned when they are asked to explain what lutefisk is. Keillor’s fantasy world of Lutheran hot dishes, powdermilk biscuits, down-home yarns and good music defines Minnesota style to ourselves and the rest of the country — presenting just the right kind of friendly, feel-good atmosphere, where “all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average.”

We can be thankful that, thus far, given the show’s obvious continued popularity, Keillor’s liberal views on politics haven’t offended listeners to the degree that “Companion” has lost steam. In a world that needs pleasant diversions like Lake Wobegon, it’s a killer to have a host identified too strongly with political issues on the left or on the right.

In the meantime, we should all appreciate “A Prairie Home Companion” while it still is with us. It has been on the air for 35 years. We know it can’t go on forever. Keillor is 67, and though he says he has no plans to retire, he’s also aging along with the rest of us.

He has given us a Minnesota institution. Let it continue as long as fate allows, untarnished by the real world.

Doug Wolter is night news editor at The Free Press. He can be reached at 507-344-6384 or by e-mail at dwolter@mankatofreepress.com.