PAY WHERE WE PLAY

Holiday Spiritual & Holistic Bazaar

with Benefit Raffle Auction for The Wellness Center for Pets & their People Leesport Farmers Market Banquet Hall 312 Gernants Church Rd • Leesport, PA

Sat. + Sun. December 12 + 13 10am to 5pm

Food · Crystals · Jewelry · Gemstone Trees · Soaps and other Bath Products · Essential Oil Products · Salt Lamps · Artwork & Photography · Readers · Healers · Reiki · Reflexology · Statues · Clothing · Incense · Books & Taros Cards · Instruments & Singing Bowls · Gift Baskets · Pet Products · Wood Burning Gift Items and many more unique craft and gift items

Free Admission

Call now! VENDOR SPACES AVAILABLE!

ladylynora.com/holiday-bazaar Contact Julie at 570-573-1651

We ª starving artists...

Lancaster Creative Reuse A donation-based art, craft, and sewing supply store. We connect the community’s excess material to those who can use it creatively. Visit us or donate supplies !

Store hours:

Mon 10-2

Tues 10-2

Wed 10-2

Thur 10-6 Fri 10-2 Sat 10-4

1865 Lincoln Hwy East Lancaster PA 17602 717-617-2977 www.lancastercreativereuse.org

PAY WHERE WE PLAY Boosting the Hometown Economy

by Sandra Yeyati

Amessage we hear throughout the year, but especially during the holidays, is, “Buy local.” The idea is to purchase from locally owned and operated businesses. Facing competition from big chains like Walmart or internet companies like Amazon, they need our support. But it’s not just a nice thing to do; consumers that buy local help build robust hometown economies with a long list of impressive benefits.

“About three dozen studies have found that two to four times more money stays in the economy for every dollar spent in a locally owned business rather than a nonlocal one,” says economist Michael Shuman, author of The Small-Mart Revolution, Put Your Money Where Your Life Is and The Local Economy Solution. “What’s more, the community enjoys a multiplier effect, generating two to four times more job opportunities, two to four times more income and two to four times greater tax collections. If your interest is in reducing poverty and raising social equality, locally owned businesses are your ticket to doing so.”

According to Shuman, cities that rely on just one or two large companies to drive their economies are far less self-reliant and less resilient than towns that support a diversified base of smaller, locally owned businesses. “The more you have control over your economy, the less likely you’re going to be hurt if one big company splits for Mexico,” he explains.

Cities that have many thriving local businesses enjoy other benefits, too. “We know from political science studies that they have higher rates of voting participation and volunteering,” Shuman says. “Sociology studies show lower crime and greater degrees of social organization and civil society. Health studies reveal that local business communities replace a lot of unhealthy, imported food with healthier, fresher, less-packaged food that lowers rates of diabetes and obesity. Unique local businesses attract tourists. And because they shorten the lines of distribution and supply, we know they bring down carbon footprint.”

Phoenix business leader Kimber Lanning, who opened a record store in 1987 and an art gallery in 1999, has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of local commerce. “Doing business with people we know heightens our connection to place, and when we care about place, we’re more likely to vote, volunteer and give charitably.”

In 2003, Lanning founded the nonprofit Local First Arizona (LFA) to help local businesses thrive and eventually eliminate city, state and federal subsidies that multinational

companies were receiving. “Big chains move in, claiming they’re going to drive so much sales tax revenue that the city should pay them to be there,” she explains. “Cabela’s [the outfitter chain] got a $68 million subsidy from Glendale to open one retail location. These sweetheart deals extract money out of the community that could have been spent on parks, libraries and fire departments, but instead goes to shareholders living elsewhere.” Responding to political pressure by LFA and others, Arizona passed a law banning these subsidies five years ago—a major victory—leveling the playing field for smaller businesses, according to Lanning.

As the author of 13 destination guidebooks, Florida-based travel journalist Karen T. Bartlett helps people discover the often-hidden flavors and experiences unique to their own region, meeting neighbors and supporting the local economy along the way. “From kayak adventures and foodie tours to community theater productions and galleries featuring local artists, fun and meaningful ways to enjoy the distinctive offerings of home abound,” she says.

“Think local first,” Lanning says. “Spend your money with people you know in your community—from haircuts to oil changes. Use a local pharmacy. Go to the farmers’ market and move your money to community banks and credit unions.”

“For people to get excited about the purchase of a five-dollar hammer and not pay attention to where they have their mortgage is utterly irrational. Rank [in] order your business expenditures, which starts with your home, then probably goes to your car and then health care, and think about ways of localizing those things, rather than every grocery item,” Shuman advises.

“Usually, you find cheaper, better-quality goods and services, or at the very least, comparable options,” he says, adding that even if a purchase is slightly more expensive or a bit less convenient, favoring the neighborhood vendor is always going to benefit the local economy.

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

Hand-Crafted Oil Blends for Your Health - Pure & Safe

Purity-tested* essential oils directly from the farmer High-quality*, full spectrum CBD extracts, federally regulated and certified organic Aromatherapy consultations with nationally certified clinical aromatherapist *Comes with GC/MS report for each batch.

Follow us on to stay up-to-date on new products, sales, events & workshops. Visit our website to learn more about your local aromatherapist and our products.

SAVE10% on your 1st online purchase using promo code: NATURAL

The harvest of nature, expertly crafted in Lancaster county

48 Slaymaker Hill Rd | Kinzers 717-587-3990 Inshanti.com

TREATING THE ROOT CAUSE OF DISEASE

Experience optimal wellness & effective, natural management of disease

Common Conditions: • Chronic Pain • Endocrine • Gastro-intestinal PROOFReflexology • Massage • Facials & Waxing • Spray Tans • Lymphatic Drainage Give them what they need this year... Merry Christmas ! Naturopathic & Chiropractic Family Health LLC 1255 S Market Street, Suite 210 Elizabethtown, PA 17022 717-381-5773 | NCFamHealth.com Dr. Jane Drobin • Musculoskeletal • Nutrition • Pregnancy & Prenatal • Wellness …and more Call today to schedule your appointment!

STRESS RELIEF !

“...the atmosphere, the laid-back tropical theme combined with precision efficiency is unique to this area. I will be back.” Buy a $100 Gift Certificate Get a $25 Gift Certificate ~Ben S. with this ad - Available now through 12/31/20. Redeemable through 3/30/21.

Call for appointments 717-201-7616

Prosperity for All Community at the Forefront

by Gisele Rinaldi Siebold

When consumers make the choice to buy local, a profound ripple effect spreads across communities creating a circle of prosperity that reaches beyond the point of purchase to create change. Human decisions, interactions and relationships have the power to transform social and cultural institutions. The diverse team of innovators at Assets, a nonprofit organization in Lancaster, has extensive experience in social change, entrepreneurship and economic development. They focus on transforming communities through business and work with established businesses to improve their social and environmental footprint. “We believe in harnessing the power of business to alleviate poverty and build vibrant and sustainable communities,” says CEO Tina Campbell. “We change the way business is done to build an economy where everyone can prosper. “The Assets vision is to see our communities in Lancaster and Central Pennsylvania transformed by increasing business ownership among women and people of color, and increasing the number of social enterprises seeking to address social and/or environmental challenges through their business models,” she explains. Assets programs focus on economic opportunity and entrepreneurial leadership, business training and mentoring for low and moderate-income persons, women’s leadership, microlending, social enterprise training and incubator programs. Lemon Street Market is one example of a local, female-owned business. Patricia Haverstick, co-founder and owner, participated in an ASSETS program for women and business leadership. “It's incredibly hard to compete in a market like Lancaster, where we’ve seen a number of large grocery chains open in the last few years, so we are proud of our nine years as an independent, women-owned grocery store,” she says. “Community is at the forefront of every decision we make while operating Lemon Street Market,” she avows. “When there is a local option for a particular item that meets our standards—taking into consideration the use of geneticallymodified (GMO) ingredients, eco-friendly packaging, etc.—we will usually choose that option. We also have a ‘Suggest a Product’ form on our website where we take requests from customers if there is an item they would like to see us carry. “We often talk (behind the scenes) about how we serve as a kind of ‘grocery incubator program’,” she explains. “Because we are so small and autonomous, we can work with extremely small makers and farmers, sometimes just one person painting watercolor cards in their city apartment or a farmer growing on a small plot of land just inside the city limits. “It’s not easy to get products into big chain stores, so that’s something we can offer to folks who are just starting out. We often work with them on adjusting their labeling, figuring out pricing, promoting them on our social media channels, and even revising their ingredients and packaging in order to meet our standards and focus on organic, non-GMO and sustainability,” describes Haverstick. Lemon Street Market’s #givelocal campaign also pushes local dollars back into community initiatives. Shoppers donate an average of $800 per month to the various organizations the market partners with through their register round-up initiative. Additionally, the store donates to a number of local charities and projects throughout the year. Education is a large component of the mission of local businesses. Business owners use social media platforms to share resources on food justice initiatives with their followers and intentionally share to increase knowledge about the importance of fair trade, small-scale farmers and food scarcity/waste. “Because so many of the items we sell are local (made or grown within 50 miles of the store) or regional (within a day's drive), revenue from our shoppers goes right back into supporting those makers and farmers,” she explains. “About 60 percent or more of the products are considered local or regional, and we work with more than 120 different local farms and creameries.” Bent Limb Farm, in Shoemakersville,

is another example of a local business with a female owner. “Local support of smaller, family-owned farms develops relationships that connect the community,” shares Pam Ellenberger, owner. “Of course, part of farming is making a living, and receiving financial support from neighbors and customers that choose to buy our products keeps the farm going. “But what is also essential to the well-being of the farm and the farmers is the extension of appreciation that comes from customers. We value knowing how the animals are raised and what they ate. It is very gratifying and confirming when our customers appreciate these same values as well,” she says. Purchasing from a chain may sometimes feel easier, but shopping small and local has an impact on real people, family businesses and the livelihoods of people living right here around us. “My small business would close if folks stopped shopping small and local,” affirms Haverstick. “The hundreds of local and regional vendors whose wares we sell would lose money if that happened, or would have nowhere to sell their products. “Wehaveheard fromafewofourlocal vendorsduringthe pandemicmonths whohavetoldusthat LemonStreetMarket isoneoftheirfew reliablesourcesofincomerightnow.That meanssomething. We’reachannelfora lotofpeopletoreach theshopperswho needandwanttheir products.Ifwecanget ourshopperstoconsiderwheretheirfood comesfrom,andall ofthewaysthatplaysintohowoursociety functionsorfails,thatfeelslikealittlesuccess,”sheshares. “Offering many different types of products helps us get closer to our aim for our farm—sustainability” says Ellenberger. “We have alpaca fiber available in many forms: raw fiber, roving and yarn, plus finished goods for all ages. The same is available with angora rabbit fiber. Our pork, chicken and eggs will be some of the best that you have ever tasted. Whether it’s fiber products, food or animals for your own farm, we look forward to sharing our farm and knowledge with you and your family.” “There’s a lot that a small business can do, customer-service-wise, that a larger chain can’t,” explains Haverstick.

Hand-poured in Lancaster, PA “For us, that means things like offering special orders with discounts, getting to know our shoppers so well that we can recommend new products we know they’ll love and responding quickly when there are issues or concerns at the store. As a small business, we’re not always perfect, but we’re always listening, learning and adjusting in order to serve our shoppers safely and efficiently.” “I believe that business can help to transform our community, and I believe that our collaborative work can make that happen,” affirms Campbell.

Sources: Assets, 24 South Queen St., Lancaster; 717-393-6089; AssetsPA.org Bent Limb Farm, 592 Stone Hill Rd., Shoemakersville; 484-797-2263; BentLimbFarm.com Lemon Street Market, 241 W. Lemon St., Lancaster; 717-826-0843; LemonStreet Market.com

Herbal Products for Wellness & Bodycare F Organic Clothing Crystals & Gemstone Jewelry Personal Altar Items Books F Tarot F African Baskets Massage F Reiki F Meditation

Your favorite holiday scents, without the toxins.

Beeswax · Coconut Oil · Essential Oils Your favorite holiday sce without the toxins. nts,

Beeswax, Coconut Oil, Essential Oils

Use code NAWELCOME to receive Handpoured in Lancaster, PA 15% off your first online orderUse code NAWELCOME to receive 15% Valid through 1/31/2021off your first online order. Valid through 1/31/21 www.fontanacandlecompany.com www.fontanacandlecompany.com 13 W. Grant Street Lancaster, PA 717.290.1517

We’re open: Tue, Fri 9:30-5 Mon, Wed, Thu 10-5

Visit us online for Events and Classes HerbsFromTheLabyrinth.com/Events