Holiday
ROCK VALLEY PUBLISHING LLC 2021
Page 2
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2021
Find unique, special gifts for every occasion at Garden Arts Garden Arts has offered solutions for the greater Rockford area for over 25 years now. Working with local Winnebago organizations such as the Winnebago Chamber of Commerce, Garden Arts strives to create an experience that can meet every Winnebago residents’ needs. From proms to weddings to birthdays, Garden Arts creates custom, crafted designs. We offer “ready to pick” designs in our cooler for quick gifts as well as custom floral designs based on your needs. Our store is stocked with gift items to make your trip a one-stop-shop for gifting occasions.
We also offer delivery daily to Rockford and surrounding areas, ensuring that your arrangements are there when you need them. Shirley has been in the floral industry for over 40 years. She’s crafted floral treasures for multiple generations and takes great pride in her team’s work and innovation. The team at Garden Art’s is always looking for new ways to make each customer’s experience better than ever before. Stop in today to take a look at our ready-togo items or to create a custom design with help from our team. We’re located at: 102 N. Elida St., Winnebago Ill.
Decorate your home for the holidays with festive items from Garden Arts in Winnebago. SUBMITTED PHOTOS Gift Guide
Give The Gift That Gives
Full Retail Counter of Fresh Meats Homemade Sausage & much more
52 TIMES A YEAR SAVE $5.00 NOW! • The Post Journal • The Herald • The Gazette • Tempo • Independent Register • Clinton Topper • The Belvidere Republican
CALL TODAY FOR DETAILS
815-877-4044
Rock V alley Publishing LLC
408746
Not interested in a gift subscription? Buy one for yourself instead!
On-Site Processing to ensure Quality & Freshness NOW SELLING HOMEMADE FRUIT PIES!
SORGS GIFT CARDS!
We Have All Beef Box Variety Box of Beef and Pork
Try our Chicken, Beef, or Turkey Pot Pies! Custom Butchering by Appointment Only
Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 8am-3pm OPEN N4290 US HWY 14 • Darien, WI 53114
Wisconsin Quest Illinois Link
CALL AHEAD: 1-262-724-5554 or 1-262-724-3364
GARDEN ARTS 102 N. Elida St., Winnebago, IL 815-335-2787
Christmas Designs Silk & Fresh Flowers & Plants Daily delivery to Rockford
Serving the area for over 32 years!
www.GardenArtsFlowers.com
407882
384700
Buy A Gift Subscription To Your Local Newspaper And
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2021
Page 3
Lueke family offers jewelry from three stateline area locations The term “family business” has special meaning for sisters Alicia LueckeDeMichele and Marcia Luecke-Toepfer. Together they run three jewelry stores, the flagship location in Freeport having been established by their grandfather, Robert G. Luecke, in 1921. The family connection to Freeport’s historic downtown business district dates back even further, however. Robert began his jeweler’s work in a corner of the Blust Dry Goods Store inside a building erected by his father-in-law, E.A. Blust, at 10 E. Main St., Freeport. The Blust Building, built in 1892, remains an iconic downtown landmark. “Once the dry goods business fizzled, Grandpa (Robert G. Luecke) took over the building and set up Luecke Jewelers in 1921,” explains Alicia. “My grandma Margaret did a lot of the bookkeeping and other work. Watch repair was a big deal at that time, and they had two repair people onsite.” The jewelry business was still going strong when Robert welcomed his son, Charles M., to the shop in 1955. In coming decades, Charles M. would oversee the expansion of Luecke Jewelers to five times its original size, adding stores in Monroe, WI and Belvidere, IL. Today, at age 85, he still works in the stores a few days a week. “He does all the estate and antique jewelry sorting and pricing,” says Alicia. “He loves it.” Charles’ two daughters and three sons learned about jewelry and watch repair by observing their dad and grandfather at work. “Dad would bring all five of us to the shop on Sunday afternoons, to give my mom some peace and quiet, and we’d work around the store and observe Dad and Grandpa at their workbenches,” recalls Alicia. There was plenty of incentive for the children to cooperate during these Sunday outings. “If we behaved well, we got to go to the Union Dairy afterward for ice cream.” Downtown Freeport remains as important to the Luecke family now as it was in 1921. “Our family has owned the building for more than 100 years, which is pretty rare,” says Alicia. “We take great pride in being in downtown Freeport for that reason.” On the second floor of the Blust Building, above the jewelry store, the family operates Luecke’s Antique Mall, which brims with fine vintage home furnishings and much more. Of Charles M.’s five children, daughters Marcia and Alicia, and son Charles G., showed the most interest in the family business. When Charles M. decided to set up a second location – in Monroe, WI, in 1981- he brought in Marcia and Charles G. to run it. “By then we’d been pulling a lot of customers from Monroe to Freeport, so it made sense to open a Monroe location,” Alicia explains. That store in on the historic Monroe Square, at 1029 16th Ave. Seven years later, Charles M. groomed daughter Marcia to take over management of the Freeport location; Alicia took over the Monroe store. Charles G. does appraisal work in all three stores. The family never thought of expanding its operation to Belvidere, until it was approached by citizens from that city who said they’d been without a locally owned jewelry store for too long. “We did the research, then opened in 2012 in Winter Plaza, a strip mall on State
Street in Belvidere,” explains Alicia. “Marcia oversees that store as well as the Freeport store.” Today the Belvidere store is at 1444 N. State St. The family members work together as well. “We’ve been lucky, over time,” says Alicia. “We all get along well. Everybody meshes and helps each other out. I know that’s not the case in every family business, but, for us, it works. Strong communication is important. We trust each other.” And trust is really the cornerstone of a successful jewelry business, says Alicia. “A locally owned jewelry store – one that has some longevity and a strong reputation in its community – offers something that big-box type jewelers just can’t,” she says. “We offer a level of comfort. People feel comfortable with us handling their items. They feel good about the long-lasting relationship developed with us over the years, as they bring in pieces for cleanings and repair. They like knowing that we’ll be here for the long haul. They know we won’t steer them in the wrong direction for a purchase, and that we’ll be fair in our pricing.” As much as customers appreciate the expertise – Luecke Jewelers are members of the American Gem Society – they also like the family’s laid -back style. “We’re not pushy and we don’t rush customers to make a decision,” says
Alicia. “We just answer questions and help them walk through the selection process.” In-store services offered at the three locations include free jewelry cleaning and diamond inspection; expert jewelry repair; watch repair and battery installation; pearl and bead restringing; life-time trade-up on diamond jewelry; and the purchase of preowned jewelry, gold and silver. Engagement and wedding rings are a big part of business at all three locations, of course. Luecke Jewelers buys only from suppliers who guarantee their diamonds are conflict-free. “Traditional white gold settings are popular with younger generations, now, as they were in the 1980’s and ’90’s,” says Alicia. “Trends swing back and forth. When gold prices jumped, alternative metals grew in popularity, like titanium and tungsten. Gold prices have since come down a lot, but they’re still high, at around $1,200 per ounce.” The Luecke sisters make an effort to carry quality items in a variety of price points. They display an array of precious gems – sapphires, rubies and emeralds – as well as semi-precious jewels like garnets and amethysts. There are modern lines of jewelry made with stainless steel, Black Hills gold and ever-classic pearls, and “all of the stores offer discounts on the birthstones for that month,” notes Alicia. Also trending now are Diamonds in
Motion – diamonds specially set in 14 karat and sterling silver in a way that causes them to constantly move and catch the light, according to the rhythm of the wearer’s heartbeat. Sideways crosses and infinity symbols are trending, and diamond stud earrings remain a timeless classic. Another popular item is the Citizen eco-drive watch that never requires a battery. “The watch gathers energy from light and stores it,” Alicia explains. “People who have them love them.” All Luecke Jewelers stores have wish books in which customers may note the items they like best. “Men love them,” says Alicia. “It makes it so easy for them to get something she really wants. He’s in and out of here quickly, and everyone’s happy.” Friends of the jewelers sometimes ask whether a fourth generation is interested in the family business. “We’re happy to report that my daughter, who lives in Madison, and two nephews, who live in Freeport, have shown a lot of interest in the business,” says Alicia. About 15 people work in the three stores, and even those who are not related by blood seem like extended family members. “I think it’s one reason we have very low staff turnover,” she says. “Our employees feel like they’re a part of the family.”
Alpaca products make luxurious gifts right: If you need something for that “hard to buy for” person, we have lots of warm and soft alpaca hats, scarves, mittens, blankets, rugs, yarns and socks, socks and more socks. Give the gift of “warmth” this holiday season. We wish you all a very happy and healthy holiday season. Pacesetter Alpacas is located at 5546 W. Plymouth Church Road, Beloit. below: Pacesetter Alpacas Farm Store is open now through Christmas with regular weekend hours of Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday Noon to 4 p.m. or by appointment. SUBMITTED PHOTOS Gift Guide
Pacesetter Alpacas Farm Store, 5546 W. Plymouth Church Road, Beloit, will be opening Nov. 27 thru Christmas with regular weekend hours of Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. or by appointment! If you need something for that “hard to buy for” person, we have lots of warm and soft alpaca hats, scarves, mittens, blankets, rugs, yarns and socks, socks and more socks! Give the gift of “warmth” this holiday season! We wish you all a very happy and healthy holiday season!
Page 4
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2021
NEW & USED ENGLISH AND WESTERN SADDLES • Complete Repair of Saddles & Tack • Custom Goods • Belts • Holsters • Chaps • Leanin’ Tree Cards & Gifts
Piasa Leather & Saddle 5442 N. Second Loves Park, IL 815-877-5727 407109
Andrew Sorg and John Sorg SUBMITTED PHOTO Gift Guide
Sorgs: Your local source for quality meats, sausages and specialty items
Famous Name Brand Footwear for Men & Women
Gift Certificates Available SockWell Compression Socks – Large Selection to Choose From
Westside of Monroe’s Historic Square, Monroe, WI 608-325-4464 Mon-Thurs: 10-5 • Fri: 10-6 • Sat: 10-4
407651
Located at N4290 US Hwy. 14, Darien, Wis., Sorg’s offers a full retail counter of fresh meats including beef, pork, lamb, chicken, bison and veal. For your convenience, everything is freezer wrapped. They also provide over 50 varieties of award winning brats, as well as sausages and hot dogs that are all homemade using the orginal family recipe with no MSG. Sorg’s also offers a wide variety of
specialty items from the Al Capone Roast for family gathering or special occasions, as well as over 20 varieties of Wisconsin cheese, heat n’eat entress, homemade meat and gruit pies, variety of fish, vegetables, pickled products, sauces and seasonings, jams and jellies, homemade meat and fruit pies as well as a variety of meat snack sticks, jerky and landjaeger. For more information, call 262-724-5554 or visit the website at www.sorgsmeats.com.
GIFT SHOP
From This holiday season & throughout the year come dine with us! Chose from a menu of your favorite foods and beverage choices with something for everyone.
OPEN THROUGH CHRISTMAS
Light lunch! Full meal! Special occasions!
SAT. 9AM TO 3PM • SUN. 12PM TO 4PM OR BY APPOINTMENT CALL 608-751-2261 OR 608-751-4399
All to be enjoyed in a family-friendly atmosphere. Friday Fish Fry •10 a.m.-9 p.m. Broiled or battered walleye, jumbo shrimp, blue gill, catfish, lightly breaded cod loins. Lower level opens at 5 p.m. Saturday Prime Rib Buffet • $23.95 • 4:30-9 p.m. All you can eat! Soup, salad, dessert bar. Sunday •10 a.m.- 1 p.m. FREE wings & walleye
Visit our Farm Store for that “hard to buy for” person on your list. We have soft and warm Alpaca Socks • Hats • Scarves • Mittens • Much More!
Knute’s Catering
Now Booking for 2022! Call now!
Shredded Meats Now Available For Pickup: Pork-Turkey-Chicken: $6.50 per pound Beef: $8.50 per pund
20% OFF All Sweaters, Rugs, And Pacesetter Yarns!
Open 7 days a week at 10 a.m.
206 E. Beloit Street Orfordville, WI 53576 Visit us online at www.knutesbarandgrill.com
407650
608-879-2011
5546 W. Plymouth Church Rd. Beloit, WI 53511 psalpaca@ticon.net
407721
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2021
Page 5
Jewelry Culture and Symbolism Around the World
Jewelry has existed throughout history, from ancient times to the present, with pieces dating back 90,000 years or more. Early jewelry often consisted of found materials, such as shells, wood, stones, feathers, and other natural items, but many of those pieces had significant meaning behind them. Particular cultures constructed those found objects in particular ways to represent different beliefs or affiliations. As jewelry progressed through the ages, many of the purposes and symbols remain important. Despite the difference in materials and methods of making pieces, jewelry still shares some of the same roles as those early types of jewelry. Common purposes of jewelry include: Wealth Security: Valuable jewelry provides owners a source of wealth security. Even today, a valuable piece of jewelry can be an investment for the owner. On a larger scale, royal jewelry provides wealth security for entire countries. Status Symbol: Jewelry often represents a person’s status, both in today’s society and throughout history. People of higher social status or wealth often own and wear jewelry that is more valuable. They may own more jewelry than others as well. Religion: Many pieces of jewelry serve a religious purpose. They may represent a particular achievement or position within the religion. Jewelry sometimes commemorates a religious event, such as a first communion or a baptism. Other symbols, such as a cross, carry a general religious meaning. Fashion Accent: Many people use jewelry solely as a fashion accent. They select their pieces based on how well they match particular cloths or outfits. Self Expression: Others use jewelry as a form of self-expression. The jewelry might show your own personality or style, for example. Relationships: A popular purpose for jewelry is to represent relationships. Wedding bands and engagement rings are examples of this type of jewelry. The jewelry represents your love and commitment to the relationship for both yourself and others to see. Jewelry provides people with a physical symbol to represent meaning, ideas, values and rituals. Those symbols can change the way the owner feels while wearing the jewelry. The symbols in jewelry also work to convey your feelings toward another person. When you gift someone a piece of jewelry that represents loyalty, you are showing the recipient that you will be loyal in your relationship or friendship. This symbolism often makes jewelry more meaningful and important to the owner.
TRACTOR TOWN
Machesney Park 11528 N. Second Street 815-633-2299
10 E Main Street/Freeport, IL 61032 (815) 233-0013 407655
SNOW BLOWER SALE
1029 16th Avenue Monroe, WI 53566 608.325.2600 407654
Page 6
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2021
Alp and Dell Cheese Store: A must visit in the Midwest Tony and Esther Zgraggen, owners of the Alp and Dell Cheese Store, immigrated in the 1980’s to the United States from Switzerland. At that time they had a Dairy farm and for 5 years took cheese to the farmers market in Madison. After being absent from the Dairy industry for several years, they found the way back to the “cheese” with the purchase of the Alp and Dell Cheese Store in April 2009. The Alp and Dell Cheese Store is located in Green County, the Heart of Wisconsin’s Dairy and Cheese Industry. Green County has about 400 Dairy farms producing 530 million pounds of milk annually. In the remaining 13 Cheese factories in Green County, many master cheesemakers are busy turning this farm fresh product into Green County Gold. The Alp and Dell Cheese store is a leader in quality, selection and price. Along with the local cheeses, Alp & Dell offers a nice selection of well known imported cheese from Europe. A well balanced selection of wines from throughout the world and some locally brewed beers round out our assortment. The Midwest magazine picked the Alp and Dell cheese store as one of the “must visit places” in the Midwest in 2011. at right: Alp & Dell Cheese Store is located at 657 2nd St, Monroe, Wis. For more information call 608-328-3355.
Whether you’re a beginning baker or an experienced entertainer, having the right tools can make the process of holiday party prep faster, easier, more festive – and ensure you can achieve expert-level results. Here are a few must-haves to add to your holiday shopping list. • Spatulas that make you smile. From cookie batters to mashed potatoes, everyone needs a quality spatula to whip up their favorite holiday dishes. And now you can have both fun and function with Tovolo Spatulart Spatulas featuring double-sided holiday designs and puns. With a nylon core, these highquality spatulas provide strength for the heaviest mixing jobs, silicone edges that remain flexible for easy scraping, and an FSC-certified wood handle. They’re the perfect environmentally conscious way to add a tremendous tool with a touch of whimsy to the kitchen roster. • Mix without the mess. A quality set of mixing bowls is a must for any
SUBMITTED PHOTO Gift Guide
Clinton Pharmacy Pharmacy • Gifts Soda Fountain
Available
238 Allen Street • Clinton 608-676-2700
Must-haves for holiday baking, entertaining baking, cooking, prep or storage. While there are many types of bowl sets, stainless steel is ideal for its durability and lightweight design. Choose a set that offers nesting, for easy and efficient cupboard storage; lids to keep foods fresh; deep sides to avoid messes; and a rolled lip for easy pouring. • Basics for better baking. Move over parchment paper—serious bakers know the key to perfect baked goods is a quality baking mat. In addition to insulating your pan for even cooking and baking, baking mats protect your pans from baked-on food and grime and prevent sticking, without any paper waste. Additionally, they can double as a work surface featuring grid lines for cookie sizing and spacing, while also offering easy clean-up—just drop them in the dishwasher. • Classy containers for clean up. Speaking of clean-up, disinfecting wipes have become a staple in most kitchens. Luckily, you can now store your wipes
in style with Spectrum Decorative Disinfecting Wipe Containers. Available in four fashionable finishes to fit in with any décor, the rust-resistant containers fit 35- to 75-80-count wipes packages and feature a push-button lid and non-slip bottom for easy one-handed access. • Shape up your cocktails. Once your food menu is set, don’t forget the beverages. Create memorable cocktails and mocktails everyone will be talking about with uniquely shaped craft ice. Tovolo offers a variety of craft ice molds—from spheres and sports balls to novelty and holiday shapes. Requiring minimal prep, the easy-to-use molds stack in your freezer to save space and will make you look like a master mixologist. Having the right tools makes all the difference when you’re whipping up culinary creations. Be sure to equip yourself right for a season of easy and (STATEPOINT) festive holiday prep.
360520
We carry over 150 different types of cheese from many of the local, award winning factories! Maple Leaf Cheese Store Juda, WI
Visit us at:
W2616 Hwy. 11/81 (Next to the Juda Oasis)
608-934-1237 mapleleafcheesestore@gmail.com Order online: mapleleafcheesestore.com 407652
(Near Intersection Hwy 11/81 & AmericInn)
Open Monday - Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm Sunday 10:00am - 4:00pm
www.alpanddellcheese.com
608-328-3355
OVER 150 SPECIALTY CHEESES, PLUS WINE AND BEER FOR SALE
Located in the Emmi Roth Creamery The Makers of World Champion Cheese
LET US SUGGEST THE PERFECT PAIRING! One of the best places to visit in Wisconsin #1 Cheese Store in Green County
407653
• Cheese Trays Made To Order • Cedar Crest Ice Cream • Fresh Curds Every Thursday • Local Sausage • Gift Boxes For Any Occasion • Souvenirs And Gifts
SHIPPING TO ALL 50 STATES
657 2nd St., Monroe, WI
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2021
Page 7
FIND SPECIAL GIFTS FOR EVERYONE AT
above: Let their team spirit sparkle with a gift they’re sure to love. right: Show mom you appreciate her support of your athletic our endeavors. far right: Cornerstone Embroidery can customize fan gear and work apparel. SUBMITTED PHOTOS Gift Guide
Cornerstone Embroidery
Cornerstone Embroidery offers all kinds of garment printing and embroidery services in the stateline area. Whether you need jerseys for your sports team, uniforms for your workforce, t-shirts for a reunion, or a unique gift for a friend or family member, we’ve got you covered. Our professionals will work with you to design and create custom apparel items or objects according to your specifications and desired final look. We will bring your vision to life—you can always count on us to deliver a top-quality product, on time, and within your budget. In addition to being able to print on all types of shirts and hats, we also love to print on nontraditional materials including umbrellas, chairs, glitter/metallic fabrics, and more. Anything is possible at Cornerstone Embroidery! Contact Cornerstone Embroidery for custom garment printing and embroidery services or to receive a quote for your project.
Laser engraving Our state-of-the-art precision quality laser engraving services, are great for creating awards and plaques, promotional items, picture frames, corporate gifts, wedding favors, custom gifts, and more! We inscribe images, logos, and messages on an expansive assortment of surfaces. Our high-tech lasers engrave giftware, travel mugs, iPods, aluminum pens, glass
stemware, and other product varieties. Custom Embroidery’s designers connect with each client to ensure every project we complete embodies and exceeds the desired final look. Give us a call at (815) 645-8527 to speak with one of our representatives about laser engraving services in Rockford and the surrounding area.
Rhinestone, glitter designs Our creative design team provides dazzling, custom rhinestone apparel, glitter t-shirt printing, and personalized product services. At Cornerstone Embroidery, the rhinestone and glitter application options are limitless. We create brilliant permanently bound custom rhinestone and glitter designs in an extensive variety of fonts, colors, images, sizes, and styles. Our advanced technology and methods ensure that designs won’t fade, fall off, or lose their sparkle after regular wear and wash. No matter what kind of clothing item and personalized products you need, we will make your vision shine. Discover stunning custom rhinestone apparel and glitter t-shirt printing, as well as products for reunions, uniforms, bachelorette parties, or any event you wish to add a little twinkle too.
Silk screening
At Cornerstone Embroidery, we offer silk screen printing services for a wide variety of applications. Our design team creates custom silk screen shirts, apparel products, promotional items, and much more for clients throughout the Rockford area. Silk screening is a popular printing technique that involves applying a custom stencil or screen, which is coated in ink, directly onto the desired printing surface. We administer a separate screen for each individual color to produce a stunning final print. Silk screen printing fabricates brighter and more vibrant colors due to all the layers; however, this does make the design somewhat thicker than digital printing methods. At Cornerstone Embroidery, there’s no creative limit—we transform dream silk screen printing concepts into a stunning reality for every client.
Sublimation printing We offer phenomenal sublimation printing services. Our advanced sublimation printing process uses heat to transfer dye onto various materials. Here at Cornerstone Embroidery, we print high-resolution images onto a remarkable variety of surface applications such as clothing, fabric items, banners,
promotional products, and almost anything else you can think of. Sublimation printing is excellent for photo quality material prints. Our method uses high-temperatures to heat and vaporize ink, which then transfers vivid designs onto a blank canvas. This transforms the material’s properties to depict a final product with striking custom imagery.
Vinyl banners, signs, stickers Need to increase the visibility or recognition of your brand? Nothing can accomplish this better than our large format vinyl signage services. Cornerstone Embroidery’s experienced team creates custom banners, signs (magnetic and non-magnetic), and stickers that enhance brand perception. Our professionals design impressionable products according to the goals and needs of each client’s brand. We can print vinyl signage, banners, stickers and more of any size. It can work on almost all surfaces, including glass, drywall, Plastic, fiberglass, wood, and all types of vehicles. Our easy to apply and remove magnetic vinyl signs are great for vehicles, providing a variety of interchangeable promotional opportunities as your brand continues to grow. Start
increasing your brand’s visibility and recognition today.
Page 8
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2021
Looking for that perfect gift or stocking stuffer? Give your loved ones SMTD Ticket to Ride or Token Transit tickets this holiday!
They will be glad you did! Ride Tickets are available in a festive envelope for that ideal gift! ASK ABOUT OUR NEW TOKEN TRANSIT MOBILE FARES APP! “NO CASH. NO CARDS. NO CONTACT.”
Phone: 779-771-6778 Ride Scheduling: 877-561-3330 E-Mail: info@smtd.biz “We’re Here To Get You There”
Web: www.smtd.biz
Join our Text Club Text SMTD to 815-269-9199 407108