| Out and about with our cameras we started visiting 
			area businesses. 
			 
			 
			Our first stop was at Jakes Furniture. Jake Johnston 
			has really broadened his offerings. Of course there is still a huge 
			selection of furniture and there are lots of accent pillows to 
			choose from to complete your style. 
 Jake mentioned that mirrors are a fast selling item this year. And 
			with these shorter days he has a wide selection of floor and table 
			lamps to light your rooms. Home accessories, wall art and gift items 
			round out a fine selection at Jake's.
 
			
			 
			We dropped in on Auto Zone and our conversation with 
			Rex Griffin and Larry Harl led to the popular radio controlled cars, 
			a corvette or classic mustang being favorites. 
			 
			 
			 
 Auto Zone is pretty much all things automotive. Vehicle batteries 
			and windshield deicer are necessary cold weather items they carry.
 
			
			 
			Yes, it is winter but the golf course is calling come 
			this spring. Jeff Peterson has the pro shop open at the Lincoln Elks 
			Golf Course and offers lost of selections for that golfer in your 
			life. If it relates to golf you can find it under his roof. Shirts, 
			bags, balls, caps and gloves. And yes, there is a great selection of 
			golf clubs. All he offers would fit nicely under your tree. 
			
			 
			We welcome Cindy’s Cottage this year to shop. If you 
			haven’t stopped in yet, do so and say hello and welcome to Lincoln. 
			She has a very eclectic inventory and a little of something for 
			everyone. There is no shortage of Christmas décor. 
 Cindy mentioned that many of her products are produced by local 
			artists. If you have that special female that is hard to buy for she 
			has a great clothing line and lots of jewelry. Cindy has recently 
			introduced RGW candies made in Atlanta to her patrons.
 
			
			 
			Just a hop, skip and jump away from Cindy’s Cottage 
			we engaged with Mickey Tate at Primary Colours. If you have a gamer 
			or comic book collector to buy for on your list, this is the place 
			to stop. Comic books run from the late 70’s to current time. 
			Trending toys are there too as well as nostalgic toys. A stop in 
			Primary Colours will take you back in time. 
			 
			  
			
			 
			ReNew is one of our gently used and consignment shops 
			downtown. They have expanded and added another room of nice and 
			collectable furniture. Clothing, house wares and small appliances is 
			just a dent in the surface of what you can find. 
 Jennifer Mollet was more than willing to show us some wonderful 
			bargains.
 
			
			 
			If you want to glam up your house or a loved one's 
			home, stop in at Debbie’s Downtown Floral. Plan to spend some time 
			there because it will take you a bit to pick out which arrangement 
			you are really in love with. Beyond florals, there are potted 
			plants, ornaments and just fun whimsical pieces. There are even a 
			few stuffed animals to pick from. 
 Can’t decide what to buy for your loved one, Debbie offers Gift 
			Certificates and that puts the recipient in the driver’s seat for 
			selection.
 
			
			 
			Carie Groves at McEntires greeted us all bright and 
			chipper. If you are in the market for an upgrade in appliances this 
			is the place to be. She was showing us a hot seller, which is really 
			cool. This Kitchen Aid refrigerator will more than store all your 
			Christmas foods for that special get together. 
 Carie mentioned you could pair it with a matching stove and 
			dishwasher. They offer several choices of dishwashers, washing 
			machines and clothes dryers. They also deliver, install and repair 
			appliances.
 
			
			 
			Speaking of home for the holidays, the Humane Society 
			of Logan County has some four legged fur babies that would love to 
			be in your home. Mary Dowdel and Wanda Stevens are holding a little 
			dog 'Sugar' and the cat named Pongo. While Sugar is adopted there 
			are still other dogs to pick from. 
 And the HSLC wants everyone to know that there are lots of jobs for 
			volunteers to choose from.
 
 The adoption process is fairly straight forward so there is still 
			time to fill out an application and enjoy the wonders of sharing the 
			season with a pet.
 
            [to top of second column] | 
            
			 
			 
			Who doesn’t know Charlie Lee at IGA??? Whether you 
			want a custom cut of meat or some of Joy’s famous meatloaf, this is 
			the place to go. A wonderful hometown grocery store that really 
			caters to this area's wants and needs. An awesome staff and a large 
			supporter of Lincoln/Logan County organizations exits right there on 
			Pulaski Street. Stop in for your grocery needs and you're sure to 
			find a friend in at least one aisle. 
			
			 
			Small Town Creations has taken over the formerly 
			Beans and Such. Kathie Williams greeted us on our visit and shared 
			that she and her husband Jim were the new owners. She wanted to say 
			that they are one stop shopping for all your personalized, one-of-a 
			kind gifts, trophies and awards. The business also offers gourmet 
			coffee beans. Stop in and let the wonderful aroma and tastes from 
			sample-sized cups of coffees tantalize you. 
 Small Town Creations also offers paint parties and you can create 
			your own masterpiece!
 
			
			 
			Welcome Imo’s Café by stopping in and ordering 
			something delicious. Located on Woodlawn they offer a full menu, 
			salad bar and buffets at certain times. 
			 
			
			 
			 
 Friday evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. is a dinner buffet. Breakfast 
			buffets are offered on Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. 
			Imo's will be open for Thanksgiving also.
 
			
			 
			Do you hate running out to start you car on these 
			cold blustery days? Stop in at Dark Side Window Tinting where Dan 
			and Nikky Fredericks will install a remote car starter. Now you can 
			start the car from the comforts of your home and go out to a nice 
			toasty vehicle. Dark Side Window Tinting also does window tinting to 
			keep your car or truck cooler in the summer. Tinting also helps a 
			passerby from seeing if anything of value is left on the back seat. 
			
			 
			Big R Big R Farm Supply store manager Nancy Stoll and 
			clothing department manager Beth Robbins showed off a bit of the 
			Carhartt clothing line. Perfect for anyone who has to be outdoors in 
			inclement weather. Big R also carries a line of Tingley high 
			visibility outer wear, you won’t go un-noticed is those neon 
			reflective colors. 
 There isn’t much you can’t find at Big R, that is for sure. Anything 
			from mowers to electrical to plumbing or farm supplies is available. 
			Need animal feed or supplies, a bird feeder or to stock up on bird 
			seed, stop in because they have a huge selection of everything.
 
			
			 
			A stop in Mount Pulaski at Johnson True Value yielded 
			a massive assortment of choices. Based at the foot of the hill on 
			Washington Street you will find some of the friendliest faces 
			around. More often than not you are called by name and when they ask 
			you what you are looking for, they can lead you right to it. You 
			won’t hear it’s in aisle six at this location. 
			
			 
			
			 
			Downtown on the Mount Pulaski Square is Jules Flower 
			Shop. A trip in and it is confirmed that Christmas is in the air. 
			Jules is a truly gifted floral designer and her work is some of the 
			best. Fresh flowers, silks and dried are all mediums she is an 
			artist with. She also carries a lot of signage and items that are 
			perfect for gift giving.
 Let’s do our best to shop local and support our businesses. The 
			money you spend here is how our merchants shop local too. We need to 
			remember that to keep these businesses here we need to support them. 
			And when you are out asking for a donation for your club or 
			organization, that they are able to support and contribute because 
			you supported them.
 
 Now go get in the car and within minutes check out what we have 
			right here in our home towns.
 
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