Unique Christmas shopping here at home

[November 28, 2011]  Gasoline costs are outrageous and time is precious. But Christmas shoppers can save on both commodities by doing their gift buying right here in Logan County.

In today's tough economy, many folks are struggling just to make ends meet. While extravagant extras may be a nice thought, people would probably prefer something more practical this year. Local grocery stores offer gift certificates, as do barber and beauty shops, service stations, vehicle repair shops, and local thrift stores. Everyone uses these services, so why not give a gift you know the recipient is sure to appreciate.

For recipients whose circumstances are better, there are many gift ideas -- some of them only available locally.

Here are some suggestions:

Chamber Bucks in various denominations are available from the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce, located in the Information Station at 1555 Fifth St. The bucks can be spent at any of approximately 40 businesses that are members of the local chamber. The list, which includes grocery stores, service stations and a wide variety of other retailers, is provided along with the bucks. The chamber, along with the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County, also operates a souvenir shop at the Information Station. Offerings include Logan County, Route 66 and balloon festival souvenirs and clothing in a range of prices; reproduction Kit-Cat clocks; and Route 66 clocks accented with neon.

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An array of baskets with lids hand-carved by master craftsman John Sutton are available at Bell's Timeless Treasures Shop, 205 S. Sangamon St. Prices range from $25-$45, depending upon size. The motifs include coneflowers and calligraphy. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and the shop is brimming with an ever-changing variety of additional antiques and collectibles.

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Elkhart Historical Society is offering a 2012 calendar that commemorates Edwards' Trace and its role in the settling of Illinois. The calendars should be available by Dec. 1, in time for Christmas gifting. The $20 cost includes a yearlong family membership in the society. Calendars alone are available for $15 each, plus $2 for shipping and handling. The calendars will be available at Horsefeathers in Elkhart, or by calling 217-947-2238. For passionate history buffs, the society also has a limited number of 20-year collections of the Elkhart Historical Society calendars, with each calendar highlighting a different aspect of the community's history. For more information, visit www.elkharthistoricalsociety.org.

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Artist and educator Renee Sisk offers classes for both children and adults at her Dragonfly Art Studio, 100 Gov. Oglesby St. in Elkhart. Beginners are always welcome, and the classes include all needed materials. Children's classes in a variety of media start at $20. Adult classes in watercolor and acrylics cost between $25 and $45, depending upon the length of the class. Classes run continuously throughout the year. On Nov. 30, Sisk will teach a printmaking class for adults who wish to make Christmas cards. Her December classes will feature winter scenes and projects. For specifics, call Sisk at 732-7771. Her own art is also available for purchase at the studio or at Horsefeathers, the gift shop filled with antiques and collectibles that Sisk's sister, Andrea Neuhaus, runs at 104 Gov. Oglesby St. Those paintings range in price from $85 to $185. Upon request, Sisk also does commission work for portraits, murals or animal pictures. Gift certificates for classes or paintings may be purchased at Horsefeathers.

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Abe's Carmelcorn Shoppe, 117 N. Kickapoo St., is the place to go for culinary tools and other gifts as well as -- of course -- carmelcorn. "Carmelcorn and cheese corn, that's our claim to fame," said shop owner Helen Rainforth. "It has been made locally from the same incredible recipe used from the beginning. It goes back to the 1950s for the carmelcorn shop." Large bags of cheese and carmelcorn begin at $8. Abe's ships all of its popcorn products throughout the U.S. The shop is open from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. During the holiday season, it will also be open Sundays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. For information, call 217-732-4564.

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Gold Springs water can be bottled with a private label for your special event if you'd like. Call 217-642-5314 or visit www.goldsprings.com to learn about this healthy beverage filled with beneficial minerals. The water bubbles out of the ground near Atlanta, Ill., and is then processed and bottled by the Wurth Bottling Co. It is available in bottles and 3- and 5-gallon jugs. Dispensers can be purchased or rented by the month, and home delivery is included. If you're undecided, Wurth's offers a trial period with free dispenser and water.

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Prairie Years, 121 N. Kickapoo St., offers newly released and best-selling books for adults, children's books and toys, jewelry, and seasonal items. According to Michelle Schneider, the shop carries a number of books by local authors. They include Paul Beaver's historical accounts ("Abraham Lincoln in Logan County"; "Logan County: A Pictorial History"; and "William Scully"); Ann Eldridge's novel ("Alice and Henry"); books by and about world-renowned author William Maxwell, including Suzanne Marrs' recent release ("What There Is to Say We Have Said"); Margaret Peifer's memoir ("Nice to Meet Your Husband Sister Martha"); and children's books by Irene Kueh and Kathy Kesner. The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. To learn about special hours for the holiday season, call 217-732-9216.

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Look for that special used book or take a food and beverage break at The Owl's Roost, owned and operated by Ed and Ronda Malkowski at 427 Pulaski St. There are daily lunch specials, and the shop offers party and pastry trays. The business accepts personal checks, Visa and MasterCard. Specialties include sandwiches, salads, paninis, homemade baked goods, smoothies, French and Italian sodas, espresso drinks, and gourmet teas. Customers can dine in, carry out or call 217-651-8313 for delivery. The shop, which has free Wi-Fi, is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays.

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Paintings by local artist Ruth Fredericks range in size from approximately 16 by 18 inches to 16 by 20 inches. The prices range from $50 to $125, "depending on the size and how well I like them." Many of the larger works are already framed, and the frame is included in the price. Subjects include a horse, still lifes of lemons and oranges, Mark Twain in a white suit, a little Dutch girl drinking tea, and Southwestern Indian pottery. Fredericks says she will be glad to offer gift certificates so recipients can select their own favorites. She can be reached by calling 217-737-7615.

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R.G.W. Candy Co., 1865 2200th St., rural Atlanta, is run by Tom Wertheim and his daughter, Amy. They use recipes from a 1908 Pease's candy-making book handed down from Tom's father. Freshness and quality ingredients are their claims to fame. Everything is made from scratch in 10- to 15-pound batches. The company never sells candy more than two weeks old. Specialties include peanut clusters, cinnamon-sugared pecans, caramels, toffee, mixed berry bark, chocolate-covered mints, brittle and white-chocolate-covered sourdough pretzel bites. For out-of-town gifting, the company will mail candies. For additional information and hours, contact them at 309-830-4361. To find the shop, drivers can follow the candy cane signs from downtown Atlanta.

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For a popular stocking stuffer for all ages, think movie tickets. Lincoln Theater 4, 215 S. Kickapoo St., is billed on Facebook as "Locally Owned, Locally Loved!" The theater offers four screens showing the latest releases and often provides special packages that include admission and refreshments. According to the theater's website, regular ticket prices are $6.50 for adults, $5.75 for matinee (before 6 p.m.), $5.75 for children age 12 and younger, and $5.25 for seniors age 65 and older. Ticket and concession combination specials are always an option. The concession stand offers free refills on all sizes of popcorn and drinks, and real butter for your popcorn (at only an additional 50 cents). For directions and information about current movies, call 217-732-4176 or visit www.lincolntheater4.com. Sign up for the theater's online newsletter and get a free bag of popcorn.

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Does Grandma need her favorite clock fixed or replaced? Lincoln Clock & Music Shop, Mannie Gaston's business at 309 S. Sangamon St., is both a retail and repair shop. Gaston sells a large variety of new, antique and grandfather clocks. Although he does some repairs for musical instruments, his real specialty is clock repair. "I rebuild antiques and do lots of repair service," said Gaston, who can manufacture hard-to-find parts. A new shipment of basses, guitars, mandolins and violins is expected to arrive soon, and he carries a few musical accessories, such as drumsticks. The shop will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday during the holiday season. For more information, call 217-732-2565.

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For an over-the-top gift, consider a hot air balloon ride. Ed Dowling, one of several local balloon pilots, said he'd glad to provide a flight for $200 per person. Dowling can be contacted at 217-732-2418 to arrange for flights or gift certificates.

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Dennis Cooley, who owns and operates C & C Fudge, recently purchased a home near Logan Correctional Center. His future plans include an on-site candy kitchen where people can come in and watch him create his specialties. Current fudge favorites available are Chocolate with or without English Walnuts, Peanut Butter, Caramel Cheesecake, Dreamsicle, Chocolate Peanut Butter Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Mint English Toffee, Milk Chocolate Butter Pecan, Chocolate Raspberry Vanilla with or without English Walnuts, and Chocolate Cherry Butterfinger. "I have one more flavor to add," Cooley said. "Red velvet. I just made some yesterday and oh, my gosh, it turned out really good." The fudges cost $6.25 for approximately half a pound. Anyone who purchases four boxes will receive a fifth box free of charge. Cooley also offers half-pound bags of taffy at $4 per bag and Chocolate Rocks at $3 per box. To purchase candy or arrange for a gift certificate, call Cooley at 217-737-9002.

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Jeannie Xamis's Serendipity Stitches & Custom Frame Shop at 129 S. Kickapoo St. carries all types of yarns, patterns, scarves and purses, and offers custom picture framing. "People can come in and get knitted gift items for $20 or less," Xamis said. The shop is also the exclusive local outlet for drawings by Lincoln artist Marsha Robinett. Xamis and her loyal group of followers can also help people learn to knit or crochet or help solve complicated patterns or find dropped stitches. According to Serendipity's website, the shop offers creative picture framing with hundreds of moldings to choose from. All framing is done on-site by a Larson-Juhl-trained framer. Serendipity is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Customers can reach the shop by calling 217-732-8811 or e-mailing [e-mail].

[By NANCY SAUL]