Home show offers variety

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM--The handfuls of Home and Self Improvement Show goers that went to the CPR seminars Saturday were shocked to learn about how easy it is to use certain types of heart defibrillators these days.

They got a hands-on experience from CPR instructor Deb Huhn, who gives such trainings annually to local businesses. The model she demonstrated with comes with simplified, step-by-step instructions that the machine itself gives once it is turned on. The paddles are simply stuck onto the victim's chest while the machine evaluates the victim's condition and either approves an electric shock or asks the user to continue giving CPR. The two people who saw her second session Saturday afternoon left the room with portable CPR masks courtesy of the American Red Cross.

Huhn's seminar was one of many scheduled through the day at the show, which was held for the last time at Vogel Arena. Next year's show will be at the Brown County Fairgrounds, say organizers.

Aside from a full schedule of seminars, show goers had 150 different booths to peruse and examine, including many local builders and furniture shops.

Some show goers said they were just strolling to spend a Saturday afternoon, while others came expressly to look for plants to put around a new deck or to find a deal on a cell phone. They also took in displays about cigarette smoking and diabetes and snacked on free popcorn and samples of locally produced cheese, washing both down with complementary cups of water.

Robert Stout, a sales representative for Husqvarna, a Swedish manufacturer of lawnmowers and power tools, rested on a stool amidst a rack full of shiny, bright orange hedge trimmers.

"It's been better than yesterday but it's not as as good as last night," Stout said. "I can't fault anyone for not wanting to come indoors."

Although the crowd thinned out as the sun began to set, the Husqvarna booth managed to generate some interest in lawnmowers. Stout said about four people expressed interest in buying one of the models on display.

Across the arena floor, Police Chief Erv Weinkauf and Officer Julie Duehring chatted with passers-by, handed out stickers and literature and explained a night vision scope.

"This is a good chance for us to get good, positive PR," Weinkauf said. "The night vision stuff is drawing more crowds in."

Weinkauf said next year's NUPD booth will likely feature the department's new police dog, who is expected to start work in the next few months. The night vision scope replaced the googles police used to simulate the effects of alcohol on vision.

As the day wore down, more and more people were seen heading for the exits, many with plastic bags filled with brochures and other little freebies.

"It's just a great place to come," said Sharon Boisselle of Morgan, as she stepped outside the arena for a quick break. "You get to see people that you haven't seen all winter long."

Out in the arena parking lot, Larry Becker of New Ulm directed traffic just one hour before the lot was to close down.

"My rough guess would be 600 cars but that's just a rough guess," estimated Becker when asked how many cars came through on Saturday. Becker said Saturday is typically the best day for the show's attendance because many people don't have to work or go to church. He said this past Saturday saw a slightly higher attendance than most.

"We get the most between 10 and 1 and then it dies down and then picks up again in between 2 and six," he said.

The Home and Self Improvement Show starts its last day today at 10 a.m. at Vogel Arena in New Ulm.