Tipton Magazine January 2022 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2022

FROM SALES to SERVICE DELONG AUTO GROUP PROVIDES FULL-SERVICE EXPERIENCE AT NEW CAR CARE CENTER

Q&A WITH STEVE SWAN OF THE FLOOR STORE LAWN LOVE COUNTRY LAWN & GARDEN REPAIR KEEPS EQUIPMENT RUNNING

TownePost.com

As fourth generation licensed funeral directors with a combined 75 Young-Nichols years experience, Bob & Brad Nichols have the background and knowledge to help you through some of the hardest times you will face – the loss of a loved one.

JANUARY PUZZLES

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FROM SALES to SERVICE DELONG AUTO GROUP PROVIDES FULL-SERVICE EXPERIENCE AT NEW CAR CARE CENTER

Writer / Seth Johnson Photography Provided

service at a price you can afford. We’ve got the facilities to do that now.”

For more than a decade, DeLong Auto Group has provided Tipton County with a quality selection of used cars. With their newly opened DeLong Auto Care center, they can now give customers the best in auto service too.

Located in Tipton, DeLong Auto Care held a ribbon-cutting celebration in September, complete with free food, raffles and more. As a full-service car care center, DeLong Auto Care can help with any auto repair needs a customer may have, according to Dan.

“I don’t know if you’d call it our slogan, but we provide quality vehicles at a price you can afford,” says DeLong Auto Group Co-owner Dan DeLong. “We’ve taken that same motto, and we now provide quality

“We do automobile diagnostics,” he says. “We do AC repair, tires, brakes, muffler and exhaust service. We kind of do it all, if you will. Basically if you’ve got a problem with your car, we can diagnose and fix it.” TownePost.com / JANUARY 2022 / TIPTON MAGAZINE / 3

Born and raised in Tipton, DeLong and his son D.K. own and operate DeLong Auto Group and DeLong Auto Care together, making the business family owned and operated. With lifelong roots in the community, the DeLong co-owners say Tipton is more than just a place of business to them. “We worship here,” Dan says. “We coach here. We’re on different boards here, between my son and I.” After opening the first DeLong Auto Group location in Tipton in 2010, the family then

opened a second location in Kokomo, before eventually realizing the value a car care center would bring to the mix. Hence, DeLong Auto Care came to be. “We were servicing our own cars and wanted a value-add for our customers,” Dan says. “We decided to add a service center to add to our portfolio, so we could become more of a one-stop shop and add more value to our customers by providing service after the sale.” When it comes to their staff, the pair looks for the best in customer service. “What I tell my guys is, ‘We treat people the way we want to be treated,’” Dan says. Specifically, the DeLong Auto Care coowners employ mechanics who are open and honest with customers about their car and its needs. “I take pride in the honesty of our employees,” D.K. says, adding that dependability and integrity are also characteristics they look for in DeLong Auto Care employees. “With some service centers you go to, they’ll tell you to get stuff you don’t really need. We just want our employees to be honest so people don’t feel like they’re getting cheated.” In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, DeLong Auto Group and DeLong Auto Care have experienced some product shortages, although Dan explains that the challenges they’ve faced have been similar to other industries. “It’s kind of like everything, whether 4 / TIPTON MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2022 / TownePost.com

it’s toilet paper or whatever,” he says. “It’s very similar. We’re just a different industry.” As essential businesses, Dan says all DeLong Auto locations have been able to stay open through the past few years, with additional safety and sanitation measures. “When we service, we’re wiping down cars and steering wheels,” Dan says. “That’s how it’s affected us more than anything.” Since opening DeLong Auto Care, Dan and D.K. say they’ve received an overwhelmingly positive response from the Tipton County community. As a matter of fact, DeLong Auto Care is hiring more technicians just to keep up with the high demand they’ve received. “We’re about to hire another mechanic, so we’ll be able to get more cars in and more cars out,” D.K. says. “That will also help us at DeLong Auto Group, to be able to get our cars out faster.” In reflecting on the early success of DeLong Auto Care, Dan and D.K. simply wish to keep serving the Tipton County community with all of their auto needs for years to come. “Everybody in Tipton County trusting us to work on their vehicles feels good,” D.K. says. “We hope to keep growing and keep serving the community.” DeLong Auto Care is located at 1030 East Jefferson Street in Tipton. You can reach them via phone at 765-675-8833.

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Steve and Carolyn Swan

Q&A

WITH STEVE SWAN OF THE FLOOR STORE

Real hardwood has always been the flooring industry gold standard, but it’s expensive. Is there a less expensive alternative?

Q A

Writer / Julie Yates Photography Provided

Ceramic tile is a good choice. Although it can be more expensive and take longer to The hottest thing out install than luxury vinyl plank or there, and the number-one luxury vinyl tile, there is a huge bestselling product currently, selection with varying prices. is luxury vinyl plank, which To lay ceramic tile, a lot of labor is advertised as being 100% is involved. The floor has to be waterproof. Next is laminate, prepped and a day or two is which is water resistant. Both look needed to grout. like hardwood and are popular with younger to middle-aged consumers with pets and kids.

What’s the best flooring to What about maintenance? use in bathrooms and mudrooms? How does someone take care of these floors?

People choose laminate and vinyl because all they need is a top wet mop. Even today’s hardwood is easy to maintain. Because of the finishes used now, gone are the days of waxing and buffing. Just going over it with a Swiffer is enough.

The Perfect Home Deserves The Perfect Floor Carpet ∙ Hardwood • Laminate ∙ Tile ∙ Lvt

THE FLOOR STORE Steve & Carolyn Swan

1003 E. Jefferson St. • Tipton, IN 46072

6 / TIPTON MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2022 / TownePost.com

765-675-3230

Real Hardwood

Engineered Hardwood

All in all, what’s the best return on a flooring investment?

Moving on to carpeting, padding seems important. What do people need to know?

Padding on the market today is guaranteed for the life of the carpet that’s on top of it. The padding chosen is all about the feel wanted. Most of our customers want some firmness, but prefer a softer feel. The industry standard is a six-pound pad and most of the ones we sell are six to seven pounds. If someone wants something really firm, an eight- to nine-pound pad would do.

I want to get my home ready to put on the market but don’t want to break the bank in flooring for my kitchen and baths. What do you suggest?

Upgrading flooring is one of the best things someone can do to help a house sell quicker. It’s hard to put anything over ceramic tile, or luxury or vinyl plank and tile. We really don’t sell much sheet vinyl now, but it is a quick fix. It does make rental properties or a house that will be flipped look good.

Carpeting is always in. Now made with improved fibers, it’s very stain resistant, especially when it’s backed with compressed rubber that doesn’t allow a stain to go down into the padding and then come back up a few days after cleaning. The biggest value has to be hardwood. Hardwood is a lifetime floor, guaranteed to last. A house with new hardwood floors is a huge selling point. If I was building a new house and could afford it, I’d definitely choose hardwood floors. Many people go with laminate or vinyl when their children are young. Afterwards, they replace the flooring with hardwood.

765.675.4746

Transportation Activities & Wellness Programs TownePost.com / JANUARY 2022 / TIPTON MAGAZINE / 7

LAWN LOVE

COUNTRY LAWN & GARDEN REPAIR KEEPS EQUIPMENT RUNNING Writer / Matt Keating Photography Provided

Maurice Ferguson, owner of Country Lawn & Garden Repair in Tipton, says it’s vitally important for homeowners to make sure lawn equipment is maintained during the cold winter months. “You have to make sure the oil in your lawnmower is changed,” Ferguson says. “That’s very important. You can save money in the long run if you change the engine oil regularly. You also need to get the wet grass out. It also helps to do an engine tune-up. We can take care of that for you, and make

sure everything is in great shape for the early Ferguson adds that Country Lawn & spring time, when you need to get out there Garden Repair does engine rebuilds and and get your yard work done.” replacements for lawnmowers. Ferguson, who is known as Fergie, also recommends taking care of carburetors in lawnmowers.

“We can also do high-quality transmissions, pump and wheel motor service, and we can offer deck repair and diesel service,” Ferguson says. “We also offer pickup and delivery service for repairs. I recommend taking batteries out of lawn equipment that is in the garage, and putting it inside your house. That way they will work when it gets warm again.”

“You can never do too much to make sure all the lawn equipment is in the best shape it can be,” Ferguson says. “We can do blade sharpening on your lawnmowers, and do tire repairs as well. We can do belt replacements too, and we can do electrical service.”

Ferguson knows what he is talking about.

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8 / TIPTON MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2022 / TownePost.com

“ A lot of customers have told me they like the fact that we offer fullservice maintenance and repairs for both residential and outdoor power equipment.” — Maurice Ferguson His company has been around since March of 2004, when Ferguson started the business.

possible service to his customers. “We give people straight answers and offer very competitive pricing,” he says. “A lot of customers have told me they like the fact that we offer full-service maintenance and repairs for both residential and outdoor power equipment.”

“Before I opened Country Lawn & Garden I worked at Agri-Lawn in Kokomo, but they closed,” he says. “I worked there for seven years. Before that, I worked at Delphi in Kokomo. I retired from there. When I wanted to start Country Lawn & Garden, I Through the years Ferguson has maintained asked a lot of the guys I worked with at Agri- a regular customer base. Lawn if they wanted to join me at the new business.” “I think I’ve been able to have repeat customers by offering great service, and Ferguson firmly believes in offering the best having a knowledgeable staff that can

really answer questions people have about their lawnmowers,” he says. “We have also been able to pick up a lot of steady new customers. We like seeing new faces. If you have a question, or need work done on your lawn and garden repair equipment, let us know.” To find out more about Country Lawn & Garden Repair, located at 2275 North State Road 19 in Tipton, call 765-675-6770, email countrylawnandgardenrepair@gmail.com, or check out countrylawnandgardenrepair.com.

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TownePost.com / JANUARY 2022 / TIPTON MAGAZINE / 9

Tips and Tricks

TO MAKE YOUR HOME LOOK EXPENSIVE ON A BUDGET

Story & Photography Provided

Mix and match textiles. Combine leather, linen, cotton and wool. Accent pillows, throw blankets, frames, bowls, and vases with fresh flowers help achieve this look.

Paint your cabinets. There are many tutorials, even some that will allow you to paint without sanding first. Again, don’t forget to change out the hardware to cap off a fresh, new look.

Fresh flowers are the cheapest way to amp Pull your furniture away from walls to utilize up your decor. If your area is feeling drab, space better. This creates a designer look. add some greenery (real or faux) to make it more inviting. Window coverings on every window give a room a finished look. Drapes that are hung Framing builder-grade mirrors adds a more high and skim the floor give height to an area. expensive, decorative look immediately. Decluttering your home makes it look clean, Updating lighting to a more modern style bright and expensive. If it doesn’t bring you makes a room instantly look more expensive. joy or if you haven’t used it in years, pitch it.

Natural elements make a room look clean. Add in natural wood, light colors, woven materials, and even marble or concrete to get that chic look.

Use shelves and glass cabinets in your kitchen to create a more modern aesthetic.

Don’t be afraid to go bold in smaller rooms like half baths. Wallpaper, gold fixtures and framed art all work together to give a room that wow factor.

Explore decorative molding. This can be for chair rails and even ceilings.

Include something with curve appeal. A large, curvy chandelier can add depth to a flat space. You can also incorporate this in vases, mirrors and frames.

Shop your home. Decorate with items from other rooms to create a fresh, new look.

Visit thrift stores, estate sales and Facebook Marketplace for cool decor, furniture and even cabinets.

Update paint, hardware, and rugs and runners for a new palette. Don’t be afraid to paint interior doors dark for a dramatic statement.

Mix in an opposing style to your decor. If Install lighting under kitchen cabinets. you have a traditional farmhouse style, add a modern piece to get that designer look.

Horton’s Home & Garden 765∙675∙2013 | 112 S. Main St., Tipton 10 / TIPTON MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2022 / TownePost.com

Paint stair banisters to add an expensive element to an otherwise overlooked area.

A large rug can be an inexpensive statement piece. It can make a room feel large and airy instantly.

Include a variety of light sources to create depth in a room. Go less expensive with a Paint walls and trim the same color to lamp base and splurge a little on the shade. Use add more focus to decorative accents and plug-in sconces and add dimmer switches. accessories.

Include an accent color in a room and use it three to five times in the decor. This gives the room a finished, decorative look.

Ditch the dust covers on your books to create a neutral decor. Turning books so the pages face outward also works.

Find an antique or heirloom piece and display it loud and proud. No one will know if you picked it up at a garage sale.

Mirrors always make a space look bigger. They reflect light and increase visual square footage.

FINAL TIP: Don’t be afraid of your own style. Feel free to mix and match. An expensive look doesn’t mean you have to live in a museum. Create your own oasis.

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