Say goodbye to the best milkshakes in town. Reeves-Sain Drug Store is closing Dec. 4.

In October, Walgreens and Fred’s (which owns Reeves-Sain) announced they have entered into an agreement for Walgreens to buy pharmacy patient prescription files and related pharmacy inventory of 185 Fred’s stores located across 10 Southeastern states.

On Dec. 5, all prescriptions will be sent next door to Walgreen's at W. 106 Northfield Blvd.

Sears announced it is closing 40 more Sears and Kmart stores, including its Murfreesboro location.

The Sears has been an anchor at Stones River Mall since it opened in the early 1990s. The store will close to business in February 2019.

Support local farms with a Christmas tree or gifts

Are you looking for a way to generate some holiday spirit that doesn’t involve a mall?

Between now and Christmas, there’s no better place for an outing than a nearby Christmas tree farm. Even if you already have your tree, tree farms offer all sorts of options from wagon rides and hot chocolate to wreath-making classes and visits from Santa.

Natural trees from local tree farms are completely renewable, recyclable, 100 percent biodegradable and are close to home, leaving a negligible carbon footprint.

Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other gases and emit fresh oxygen as they grow. Christmas trees are often grown in soil that doesn't support other crops. Their root systems help stabilize soil, protect area water quality and provide refuge for wildlife. Grown on farms just like any other crop, one to three new seedlings are planted for every tree harvested to ensure a constant supply.

In Rutherford County, you can pick out your tree at Country Cove Christmas Tree Farm, 1189 Cutoff Rd., outside of Murfreesboro.

Not to make you feel guilty about the artificial trees but they are made from petroleum plastic and various metals, including lead, which is an ingredient in PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic. About 85 percent of artificial trees start in China, leaving a huge carbon footprint on their way to retail stores. Plastic trees don’t biodegrade, so they end up sitting in American landfills for centuries.

If you don't need a tree but you need something for your mother-in-law, you can get a Taste of Tennessee gift basket from a MadeinTN.com or a local winery.

Find a local source at picktnproducts.org/store/giftbaskets.html.