Staff photo by Fritz Busch Brown County Dairy Ambassador Calleigh Frederickson of New Ulm tastes a cheese sample at the Brown County Diary Association table at the Home, Health & Recreation Show at the New Ulm Civic Center Friday. The show continues 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

NEW ULM — A good-sized crowd and 71 vendors participated in the Home, Health and Recreation Show at the New Ulm Civic Center Friday.

Cheese lovers should take note of the Brown County Dairy Association samples.

Brown County Dairy Ambassador Calleigh Frederickson of New Ulm said steakhouse onion cheese was very popular with show-goers.

“I think it reminds people of outdoor grilling,” she said.

Frederickson said colby jack samples were also popular, along with pepper jack and cheddar cheese.

Milk provides nine essential nutrients, compared to milk alternatives that have fewer nutrients in variable amounts. Flavored milk has added sugars but they account for less than 50 calories per serving, according to the Midwest Dairy Council.

There are three ingredients in milk: milk and vitamins D and A. Milk alternatives such as almond and soy contain 10 more added ingredients, including salt, stabilizers, syrups, thickeners and sugar. Cheese contributes protein, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin A.

The New Ulm Tree Advisory Commission’s 17th Annual Big Tree Contest offers $200 for the winner who finds the largest ginkgo tree in town. The money is to be used toward planing a tree anywhere in New Ulm, including the winner’s yard. Entry forms are available at the tree commission table at the show.

Tree commissioner Lee Knauf talked about the value of trees.

“We took out ash trees last fall and the house got ten degrees warmer because there was no shade,” he said.

Tree commissioner Paul Egeland said dead trees and dead tree limbs should be removed in the interests of safety, before they fall and hit someone or something. You’ve got to have trees,” said Knauf.

Trees provide benefits that promote health, social well-being, beauty and help people feel serene, peaceful, restful, tranquil and can raise property values 5%-20% compared to non-landscaped homes, according to the International Society of Arborculture.

Air conditioning costs are lower in a tree-shaded home. Heating costs are reduced when a home has a windbreak. Trees intercept water, store some of it and reduce storm water runoff.

Tree leaves filter the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles, absorb carbon dioxide and air pollutants such as ozone, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide and release oxygen.

New Ulm Farmers Market volunteer Theresa Keaveny said SNAP/EBT cards are now accepted at the market in the A to Zinnia parking lot, 15 S. Broadway, June 19-Oct. 11, 2025. Markets are open 2:30-5:30 p.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

Farmers market vendors include Schlei Pickles and Produce that offers a variety of homemade jam and jelly flavors including dandelion, apple butter, blackberry, carrot cake and pina colada flavors.

Sponsored by the New Ulm Business & Retail Association, the free show show continues with daily drawings and free seminars Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.