Friday, December 23, 2011
 
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Mary Todd's Hallmark and YMCA help downtown Lincoln thrive

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[December 23, 2011]  It's hard to believe, but Christmas is this weekend. For many folks, this means the shopping is all done, the gifts are wrapped, travel plans are made, or groceries are bought for the family feast at home this year. 

However, for a few, this may mean crunch time. It's time to hit the pavement, rush through every store and grab whatever you think is suitable for gift-giving. 

If you are one of the latter, then don't fret, there is still plenty of merchandise in the wonderful shops in downtown Lincoln, and store owners will be there today and Christmas Eve to help you scratch off all the names on your list. 

Among the many downtown stores waiting to help you fill the wish lists of your loved ones is Mary Todd's Hallmark. 

Mary Todd's is this week's spotlighted business in the Main Street Lincoln organization's weekly promotion of downtown merchants. The promotion has been going on since mid-November. 

The last of the Main Street drawings will take place at Mary Todd's at 1:30 Saturday afternoon. Winners will receive Main Street Money, a gift card from Mary Todd's Hallmark or another special prize. 

Those who have been in the Mary Todd Hallmark know this store is much more than just a card shop. While the name of the store boasts its affiliation with America's favorite greeting card company, once inside, the shopper will find the store has much more to offer. 

Resembling an upscale department store, with a small-town feel, the shop features items such as Yankee Candles and a variety of toys, including this year's must-have Hallmark toy, Jingle the Husky Pup. The store also offers a fine selection of gift items in the back room, with a wide variety of items, including jewelry. Looking for a special photo album to fill with pictures for grandma? Then check out the small brag books that are extra-special, or the larger family albums that are pretty enough to be a coffee-table book on display year-round. 

Does someone on your list enjoy makeup, or have you worked so hard this year you deserve to treat yourself? Then be sure to visit the Merle Norman section and maybe get yourself a makeover for the new year. 

Recently Wanda Lee Rohlfs, director of the Main Street Lincoln organization, offered a few comments about the Mary Todd Hallmark and its owner, Julie Tarter. 

"When we look at historic preservation, we sometimes think of the exterior appearance; however, with Mary Todd's it is the interior," Rohlfs said.  

"For those who have frequented the store over the years, we have seen various changes on the interior. Today you see a setting that goes back in time to the uniqueness the store had years ago.  

"We are proud of the work that Julie and Greg Tarter have done to restoring the interior and making Hallmark/Merle Norman/That Place a worthwhile experience to visit.

Rohlfs continued: "Julie and her employees are always a delight as they visit with shoppers and help them with their purchases. You will not find a finer Hallmark store with better displays than at Mary Todd's. There is always something new and a wide variety of choices for shoppers of all kinds.  

"Greeting cards may be their forte, but their gift items are high on the list of quality merchandise. What can you find a delightful setting, a warm atmosphere, pleasant conversation and multitudes of choices? It's at Mary Todd's Hallmark," Rohlfs concluded. 

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In addition to Mary Todd's, Rohlfs also wanted to draw attention to another valuable organization in the downtown area, the Lincoln Area YMCA. 

This background information is copied from their Winter 2011-12 Newsletter:

"We are a cause driven organization and our cause is to strengthen our community. Each of our 30-35 annual programs, events and services offered to our community members fit into the architecture of Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. Our four core values, Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility are instilled and developed in every Y participant in every Y program. We believe these four important values provide a strong foundation for strengthening the family and community." 

Rohlfs talked about the Y and the contribution they have made to the community, as well as to Main Street Lincoln, in this year's Saturday With Santa event.

"Lincoln's Area YMCA is a wonderful addition to downtown Lincoln," she said. "The staff, projects and special attraction of children and parents entices a diverse sector into the downtown. It also provides an opportunity to have young people find activities in the center of town.  

Rohlfs continued: "We want to thank the YMCA director, Jan Schacht, and her staff for their support with our children's activities. This year's Saturday Morning With Santa was well received and fun for the children, with special treats made by Jan and decorated by the children.  

"Our partnership with these various entities make us a more complete downtown, where there is not only shopping, dining and historic sites to see, but possibilities of sharing our beautiful district with the younger set," Rohlfs concluded. 

Rohlfs also said that this year, she has spent time with a variety of the downtown business owners, and many have reported to her this has been a really good holiday season for them, something they and Rohlfs are very grateful for. 

Keeping a downtown area alive and thriving is not an easy task in this modern age of big-box stores and Internet shopping. It takes the dedication of the community and their understanding that without shoppers, shops cannot survive. 

Rohlfs and the downtown merchants work hard every year to draw attention to the downtown area, and they encourage shoppers to keep their dollars local, especially in the holiday season. 

Rohlfs also said she wanted to express an appreciation to everyone who has so far purchased a 2011 Christmas ornament. This year's ornament features the Lincoln Theater and serves to commemorate the revival of the theater as a vital part of the downtown landscape. Rohlfs said the supply has nearly run out, and she is going to be checking into ordering a few more. 

[By NILA SMITH]

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