Governor Urges Kentuckians to Buy Local

Beshear urges Kentuckians to support local businesses (Frankfort, KY) With the holiday season quickly approaching and the commonwealth facing tough economic times, Gov. Steve Beshear is encouraging Kentuckians to help support local businesses and purchase products made in Kentucky for holiday gifts. He said you dont need to look far for gift ideas because of a vast array of local businesses with Kentucky Proud products, including foods, crafts and gift cards. Ways to find Kentucky-made gifts include: The Kentucky Department of Agricultures Web site offers a Kentucky Proud search engine at www.kyproud.com. The search engine allows consumers to browse through about 1,300 Kentucky Proud members with more than 18,000 products. If you prefer to do your holiday shopping the old-fashioned way b browsing the stores b you can pick from an assortment of Kentucky Proud gift baskets from stores across Kentucky that can be found at www.kyproud.com. Theres also The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, with its more than 650 artisan vendors, features Kentucky-made gifts including jewelry, scarves, photographs, books, paintings, wood carvings, pottery, holiday ornaments, furniture, soaps and other beauty products, musical recordings and more. The Kentucky Artisan Center is located just off Interstate 75 at exit 77 in Berea - and at www.kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov. The Kentucky Unbridled Spirit Gift Card is good at all Kentucky State Parks, the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, the Kentucky Horse Park and the Kentucky Historical Society museum and gift shop in Frankfort. Unbridled Spirit Gift Cards can be purchased at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, the Kentucky Horse Park, the Kentucky Historical Society museum and gift shop as well as Kentucky State Parks. Cards can also be purchased online at http://www.parks.ky.gov/gift/. The Kentucky State Parks are offering a coupon for $50 a night lodge rooms for a Sunday through Thursday stay. The coupon is good through Dec. 30, 2008. Cottages at 13 resort parks will also be open for business Dec. 21-29 when the resort parks are normally closed for the holidays. Services will be limited. Call the park youre interested in for details. Is there a history lover on your shopping list? Commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Kentuckys most famous native son by purchasing official Lincoln Bicentennial merchandise at www.kylincoln.org. The Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop Open House is Dec. 12-14 during the day and at Southern Lights display. Free parking and gift wrap, refreshments and samples, door prizes, store-wide discounts, and discounts on park admission to see Alysheba and all the Hall of Champions horses, as well as discounts on admission tickets and memberships for stocking stuffers. The Kentucky Arts Council has many great Kentucky-themed gift ideas for those interested in the literary arts or Lincoln enthusiasts at http://www.artscouncil.ky.gov/shop/merchandise.htm. The Kentucky Department of Travel has many suggestions for holiday gifts and events at their Web site at http://www.mykentuckybackyard.com/seasonal.php. Fort Boonesboroughs 18th Century Store The 18th Century Transylvania Store at Fort Boonesborough State Park is now online at http://parks.ky.gov/Online+Stores/18thCenturyStore/. The shops offerings include 18th century goods and objects such as woodenware, porcelain, ironware, coins, books, dried food and many others. The Finance and Administration Cabinets Division of Historic Properties (DHP) has announced the release of the 2008 Kentucky State Capitol ornament, the sixth in this limited-edition series. This years ornament features the west lunette, depicting the Treaty of Sycamore Shoals. Ornaments may be purchased at the Berry Mansion and online at http://www.historicproperties.ky.gov/ornament.htm. (Copyright 2007 Newsroom Solutions, LLC) Delivered by Newsroom Solutions RNS-12-10-08 0927CST