Arriving at my scheduled appointment, I’m ushered back to a quiet room, settled into a rather comfy reclining chair, and asked if I would like a warm neck pillow. “I believe I would,” I reply. I’m then offered moisturizing gloves. “Why yes,” I respond, “I believe I would.” Feeling pampered, I venture, “You know, my eyes are a little puffy this morning; do you have cucumber slices?”  “No, but that’s a good idea,” she concedes, “I do have a small towel to cover your eyes from the glaring headlamp I’ll be using to clean your teeth.”
As the appointment concludes, I smile a sparkling, stress-free smile and ask if I can spend the day; I’m half serious. Is this possible? I’m smiling and enjoying my semi-annual dental visit, without any happy gas being administered. It’s a miracle.
With hands as soft as a baby’s bum, I gladly write a check for the cleaning and note the spa services are complimentary. I leave the office feeling like Cleopatra emerging from her milk bath instead of Babe at the hands of Doc Szell in Marathon Man.
I was equally surprised and pampered at my hair appointment just before Thanksgiving. The salon laid out a lunch buffet of stuffed pork loin, corn pudding, salad, rolls and chocolate pecan pie for clients and staff.
Sweetly, the salon invited an elderly client, who recently lost her husband, to share lunch. Can you imagine going out to lunch with friends and having your hair done at the same time? Brilliant.
Courtesy perks are not always in the form of freebies, therefore the extra effort businesses extend can go unrecognized; such was the case last Saturday. I strolled Piggly Wiggly aisles where a local church chorus, complete with sound system and piano, serenaded shoppers with Christmas hymns. The store was packed, lines were long, and people were smiling. The same store offers weekly taste testing, a four-page handout featuring recipes at the checkout, and complimentary grocery toting to the car. Tips are politely refused.
If you ask me, it’s sheer genius to offer spa treatments at the dentist, lunch at the hair salon and live Christmas music at the grocery store. Local businesses are generous. Give back. Shop local.

Best of the Best:
Complimentary Services
Dr. Adrian Woodruff, DMD, 480 Hancock Street, Madison: Spa treatments with teeth cleaning
Belles Beaux & Gifts, 115 South Main Street, Madison: Gift-wrapping with purchase
Harris Home Furnishing, 1590 Eatonton Road, Madison: Design services with purchase
Youngblood Motor Company, 1600 Athens Highway, Madison: Car pick-up and delivery with service, tire rotation with tire purchase, oil change with car purchase, coffee and Wi-Fi in service waiting room
Gussie’s Flowers, 136 W Jefferson Street, Madison: Delivery to cemetery, gift wrapping, and I quote, “We do every bloomin' thing.”
The Bottle Shop, 1510 Eatonton Road, Madison: Will ice down wine and spirits for weddings and events
Whidby Jewelers, 177 W Jefferson Street, Madison: Gift wrapping with purchase
Glo Salon, Hope Baldwin, 706-769-4222

Cathy Best discovers new things daily.

Contact her to share local resources, books, blogs, Web sites and apps you’ve discovered:
bestdiscovery@aol.com.

Printed in the December 6, 2012 edition