Housing crisis impacts women’s shelter

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December 16, 2021

The Highlands’ housing crisis is being felt by the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton with a lack of affordable housing meaning women and children are having to stay long-term at the County’s only shelter.

YWCA director of client services, Darlene Smith-Harrison, said “sometimes the women are with us much longer than they want to be mostly due to the lack of affordable housing for them to move on to. It’s such a huge barrier.”

She added, “If there are any landlords out there at all who have decent, safe housing, we’d really love to hear from them and make that connection so that we can help the women and the families move on.”

Smith-Harrison made the comments in speaking about a $50,000 donation to the YWCA Haliburton Emergency Rural SafeSpace (HERS) by David and Patricia Morton of the Morton Family Foundation. They donated $50,000 last year as well and have donated $130,000 to date.

Smith-Harrison said just at HERS alone, they’ve had eight women and eight children with them from January last year to now.

Executive director Kim Dolan said the pandemic has created a toxic combination of increased stress, isolation and job losses that is leading to a dramatic rise in domestic abuse.

“This is especially true for rural women, whose physical distance from police services and lack of resources to assist in accessing safety and support greatly increases their vulnerability to gender-based violence.

“HERS has been fully occupied since January 2021 and rural women in Haliburton County have reported abuse that is far more serious and complex throughout the pandemic. Like women’s organizations across the province, the YWCA is facing heightened demand and increasing costs.”

Smith-Harrison said it’s a continuous struggle because it’s a small program that is staffed 24/7 when they are occupied, which they always are these days. It’s a very expensive program, she added, noting government funding covers just a portion of what they do so they’re left to fundraise anywhere from 25-30 per cent of what they need to operate.

Donation funds safe space in Highlands

She said that is why the Mortons’ generosity is so important. It is helping to keep the doors open.

“One of the biggest struggles is, if HERS isn’t available and women need safety and accommodation, they have to leave the County,” she said. But by being able to stay, she said women can sometimes keep parttime jobs and children continue to go to their schools. They can also stay connected to friends and family. She said having to uproot their lives and family to be safe and leave the area is “an awful separation.”

Even with the Mortons and other donations, things remain difficult at HERS, Smith-Harrison said.

“When we’re full, we’re full, we can’t bring women in. So, we have to work with women, as we do with all women, on safety planning, and helping them get to the next best safest place that we can come up with.”

She noted all funds raised in Haliburton County stay in Haliburton County.

$50,000 donation

The YWCA announced the Mortons’ funding Dec. 9.

“We are deeply moved by Patricia and David’s positive impact in the Haliburton County community,” said Dolan. “The Mortons’ compassion for others is helping to ensure that women and children have ongoing access to our Emergency SafeSpace, nutritious food, basic necessities, and 24-hour support when home is the most dangerous place to be.”

YWCA HERS provides safe and supportive temporary accommodations for women, with and without children, who are fleeing abuse in Haliburton County. The service, designed to be available on an as-needed basis in order to help reduce costs, offers space for up to two families at a time so that women can move away from the abusive situation in their home, without leaving their support systems. For safety reasons, the YWCA ensures 24-hour staffing during evenings, nights and weekends when the units are occupied.

“We are so happy to give this donation to such a worthy cause,” said Patricia Morton on behalf of The Morton Family Foundation. “We have been greatly inspired by the expertise and tremendous dedication which the YW’s Haliburton staff bring to their work, both in providing women with safety and security to plan how to build better lives for themselves and their children, and in providing expert professional support services to assist their healing from trauma.”

David Morton added, “As a man, I am just appalled and disgusted by violence against women and children. I am grateful at least to have this opportunity to extend a helping hand to the brave women who, with the wonderful support of our YWCA, are striving hard to empower themselves.”

How to help or get help

Members of the public who wish to donate or find ways of supporting YWCA services in Haliburton County are encouraged to visit ywcahaliburton.org or contact Ria Nicholson at 705-743-3526 x113 or rnicholson@ywcapeterborough.org. Donations made before December 31 will be doubled during the YWCA’s holiday season matching gift campaign. If you, or someone you know, needs support, contact the YWCA’s 24 Hour Support & Crisis Line: toll free 1-800-461-7656; phone 705-286-6442 or text 705-854-1591.

Re-think holiday plans says HKPR as Omicron variant detected

By

Sam Gillett

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December 16, 2021

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HKPR medical officer of health Dr. Natalie Bocking “strongly encourages” Haliburton County residents to reconsider large holiday gatherings as the health unit detected a “highly likely” case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Northumberland County Dec. 15.

Bocking predicted cases involving the Omicron variant in the region will rise: as of Dec. 16 there were 69 cases of COVID-19 in the region. The health unit reported a case rate of 40 per 100,000 residents on Dec. 16, more than four times the infection rate of early November.

“We are seeing a steady increase now associated with both a higher number of outbreaks as well as a higher number of cases total,” said Bocking at a Dec. 15 media conference.

“As we look at the next couple weeks, we are highly encouraging everyone to be cautious in their interactions.”

Due to increasing cases across the province, with 2,421 new cases reported Dec. 16, Bocking recommends pairing down Holiday gathering size.

“These need to be small gatherings, either within your household or with one other household,” she said.

While the Omicron variant is still being tested, it’s found to be more transmissible than the Delta Variant and predicted to be the dominant COVID-19 strain in the coming weeks.

Booster shots are likely more important than ever in defending vulnerable populations from the virus, said Dr. Bocking.

Because of the rapidly increasing case counts and the growing prevalence of Omicron, there is “heightened urgency and awareness with getting a booster dose,” Dr. Bocking said.

The health unit has added 4,000 additional appointments at vaccination clinics this week, and is working to expand staff capacity as cases rise.

Unlike the spring’s vaccine roll-out, Bocking said health services across the region are experiencing labour shortages, making it increasingly difficult to staff clinics. That’s why all those seeking third shots must pre-register via the province’s online booking system.

Province expands booster eligibility

Everyone 18 years old and up will be eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot as of Dec. 21, Premier Doug Ford announced during a Dec. 15 press conference. It must be three months after a second dose.

“The best defense is a lightning-fast offense,” Ford said. “It’s all hands-on deck, and it starts with booster shots.”

Highlands residents can book a shot through the provincial booking system.

“Today’s announcement underlines our government’s ongoing priority to keep Ontarians safe while protecting our health care systems and communities from COVID-19 and its variants,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones in a Dec. 15 press release. “We are expanding our efforts to include workplace and mobile vaccine clinics with the support of our health care and corporate partners as well as public health units, to ensure that first, second and booster doses are easily and conveniently accessible across the province to all Ontarians.”

The province is also rolling out holiday testing sites at malls, stores and holiday markets around the province.

Funding fuels next step in arts centre study

By

Sam Gillett

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December 16, 2021

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AC-orchestra 5-web — Daniel Manley (centre), pictured with the Highlands Chamber Orchestra, is part of a group which wants to build a new multimillion dollar arts centre in Haliburton. File photo.

Haliburton Highlands Arts Centre Foundation has reached another funding milestone in its quest to bring a performance venue to Haliburton County.

The foundation recently received $45,000 from Canadian Heritage and $15,000 from Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization (OHTO) and the Ontario government.

The funds will cover the next installment of an ongoing feasibility study. “We’re very grateful that OHTO and the Ontario government recognize the potential for broad impacts to tourism, community collaboration and the regional economy while we are in the early steps of our mandate,” said foundation president Dan Manley in a Dec. 8 press release.

Toronto-based Janis A. Barlow and Associates have been hired to determine the possible size, funding strategy and possible locations for a performing arts centre in the County.

Manley didn’t want to give away which locations are being considered. “We don’t want to prematurely affect land values and prices,” he said.

In late November, Barlow’s firm hosted interviews with multiple local stakeholders and toured different locations. “We’ve loved so far working with them, they’re a great team,” said Manley. “We feel they’re giving a personal touch.” With more funding, Manley said the centre’s future is “not such an uphill climb.”

Now, he and other board members get asked about the centre while out in public, and he said he feels like the project is gathering momentum. “It’s kind of like seeing a little nugget you helped create take on a life of its own,” he said.

The board plan to release a finalized viability study in April 2022, and begin fundraising capital before the end of that year.

Shelters forced to fundraise

By

Lisa Gervais

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December 16, 2021

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The David and Patricia Morton Family Foundation, of Peterborough, have once again come forward with a generous donation to the County of Haliburton’s only emergency shelter for women and children.

The YWCA Peterborough Haliburton announced Dec. 9 that the Mortons had donated $50,000 towards the Haliburton Emergency Rural SafeSpace (HERS). To date, the Mortons have donated $130,000 to the local shelter.

Without them, it’s possible the shelter could be closed, or, at the very least, have seen its services scaled back – particularly during the COVID pandemic.

As a community, we cannot thank the Mortons enough for their generosity.

However, we should also be concerned, if not outraged, that the viability of the County’s only shelter for abused women and their children, has to rely on private donors to ensure its doors stay open and its services remain intact – especially at a time when the pressures of COVID are sending more and more rural and remote women in its direction.

The shelter has been full since January 2021. YWCA Peterborough Haliburton executive director Kim Dolan says the pandemic has created a toxic combination of increased stress, isolation and job losses that are leading to a dramatic rise in violence.

It’s especially true for rural women, who aren’t physically close to the OPP station in Minden, and may have trouble getting to safety due to a lack of transportation and other services. We’re told that Haliburton County women are reporting abuse that is far more serious and complex throughout this pandemic.

Naturally, then, the YWCA is facing heightened demand and increasing costs. It’s a small program that is staffed 24/7 when they are occupied, which they always are these days. It’s very expensive to run. Government funding covers just a portion of what they do so they’re left to fundraise anywhere from 25-30 per cent of what they need for the program.

It might even be higher under COVID. That simply isn’t good enough.

There is something incredibly wrong in Ontario when the provincial government can announce $3 million in funding for the Grey Cup and yet women’s shelters are at risk of closing or scaling back their services due to a lack of financial support.

Shame on you, MPP Laurie Scott.

If closed, it would create a horrible scenario for these women. Not only would they be forced to flee their homes, but they would have to leave their community.

That means the support of family and friends. It could mean the loss of a job.

And if they have children, it means taking them out of their school environments – perhaps the only place they feel safe. Even with the Mortons and other donations, it is difficult as they cannot meet the demand. When they’re full, they’re full.

They can’t bring women and children in. They have to provide outreach as best they can, on safety planning, and helping women and children to get to the next best safest place that they can come up with.

We expect the provincial government to take action. In the meantime, despite so many competing demands for charitable dollars in this County, we implore people to consider HERS. Women and children need access to the shelter, nutritious food, basic necessities and 24-hour support.

Members of the public who wish to donate or find ways of supporting YWCA services in Haliburton County are encouraged to visit ywcahaliburton.org or contact Ria Nicholson at 705-743-3526 x113 or rnicholson@ywcapeterborough.org. Donations made before Dec. 31 will be doubled during the YWCA’s holiday season matching gift campaign. If you, or someone you know, needs support, contact the YWCA’s 24-Hour Support & Crisis Line: toll free 1-800-461- 7656; phone 705-286-6442 or text 705-854

Huskies on the hunt for first place

By

Mike Baker

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December 16, 2021

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The Haliburton County Huskies moved to within four points of the Trenton Golden Hawks atop the OJHL East Division standings this week, claiming back-to-back road victories in Lindsay and Cobourg as their impressive run of form continues.

The battle of Hwy. 35 took centre stage at the Lindsay Recreation Complex Dec. 10, with the Huskies emerging with a 2-1 win.

Third period goals from Payton Schaly and Jack Staniland, and a stellar 36-save performance from goaltender Christian Cicigoi got the job done for the dogs.

The Huskies started the game slowly, with Lindsay dominating much of the early play. Cameron Jackson handed the Muskies a deserved lead 9:05 into the opening period, capitalizing on his team having an extra skater on the ice with officials preparing to send Oliver Tarr to the box. Cicigoi stook strong to deny Jackson a second goal as the period drew to a close, keeping the Huskies within one.

“It’s beating a dead horse, but we just seem to get off our Huskies hockey at times and play to the style of our opponents,” coach Ryan Ramsay said. “We had a game plan coming in, so I just told the boys during that first break to focus on the plan, and play their game.”

The team came out rejuvenated during the second, penning the Muskies in their own zone for lengthy periods.

The team was patient, waiting until the third period to get on the scoresheet. Schaly picked up a pass from Nick Athanasakos in the slot just 1:21 in, firing a rocket up and over the glove of Muskies goaltender Yacine Chemrouk to notch his first goal as a Huskie.

Defenceman Staniland was the unlikely hero, scoring a phenomenal solo goal at 6:22 to give the Huskies the win. “I took the puck up on the rush, dropped it in for one of our forwards, who hit the crossbar with his shot. I picked the puck up while heading back to the blueline and just started to make my way to the net,” Staniland, who beat three Muskies players on the play, said. “I couldn’t see a pass, so I walked in and caught the goalie on the backhand.”

A power outage Dec. 11 in Minden ended the Huskies’ match with the Wellington Dukes early. The hometown team raced out to a 2-0 lead in the opening period, with goals from Schaly and captain Nathan Porter. Ramsay said the game would be rescheduled, likely in the new year.

On Dec. 13, in Cobourg, the Huskies would not be denied.

Schaly opened the scoring 49 seconds in after being fed by Tarr, only for the Cougars to tie the game through Justin Jamer at 13:28. Pat Saini scored his seventh of the season eight minutes into the second period, but the Cougars answered right back through Adam Cook.

Tarr bagged the eventual gamewinner 12:47 into the third, assisted by Saini and Porter. The Huskies sit in second place in their division, with 36 points and a record of 17-8-1-1.

They are back in action this weekend with a home double-header, hosting the Toronto Jr. Canadiens Dec. 17 (7:30 p.m. puck drop) and the Cougars Dec. 18 (4:30 p.m. puck drop).

Omicron concerns force HKPR vaccine clinic pivot

By

Sam Gillett

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December 15, 2021

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Close-up medical syringe with a vaccine.

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR) will no longer accept walk-ins at mass vaccination clinics and is revamping contract tracing procedures due to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases stretching staff resources in the region.

“We are having to make some changes to ensure we have staff coverage in the areas most impacted right now,” said chief medical officer of health Dr. Natalie Bocking in a Dec. 15 press release.

“With the expansion of the eligibility for booster doses and the identification of the Omicron variant in the province, we are seeing a high demand at our clinics. This, coupled with the surge in cases we have seen recently, has forced us to do things a little differently.”

Since Friday, the HKPR District Health Unit has been notified of 56 confirmed cases of residents in the region. There are three unresolved cases in Haliburton County.

The health unit said increased demand for third doses of the vaccine mean walk-in appointments are no longer feasible.
“Additional appointments are being added to clinics and residents are strongly encouraged to book an appointment for their first, second and third dose of vaccine through the provincial booking system.”

High-risk contacts

HKPR will now send letters to all those identified as high-risk contacts, outlining quarantine and testing requirements. Additional information for high-risk contacts is available on the health unit’s website at www.hkpr.on.ca.

“As cases continue to surge, the health unit will continue to communicate what type of communications high-risk contacts can expect to receive,” stated the press release.

HKPR will pump the brakes on certain non-COVID-19 related services to deal with the expected rise in cases this winter.
This includes pausing sexual health clinics, no-doctor vaccination clinics for children, Healthy Babies Healthy Children programming and some inspection services.

All those over 50 are now eligible for a third shot of a COVID-19 vaccine. To book an appointment visit: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ or by calling 1-833-943-3900 (TTY for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired: 1-866-797-0007).

Haliburton man deceased after collision north of Lindsay

By

Sam Gillett

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December 14, 2021

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A Haliburton man is dead after a three vehicle collision on Highway 35 on Dec. 14.

At approximately 10:30 a.m., north of Thunder Bridge Road in the City of Kawartha Lakes, a dump truck and two SUVs were involved in a collision.

Robert Clark, a 64-year-old man from Haliburton, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two others were transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The highway was closed for several hours while a OPP Traffic Collision Investigation (TCI) team investigated.

City of Kawartha Lakes OPP request the driver of a black cube van, who was spotted at the scene of the accident, come forward to provide a statement.

Police ask any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police contact investigators by calling 1-888-310-1122.

Funding Bezos’ rocket

By

Sam Gillett

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December 14, 2021

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In late November, Highlanders lined the main streets of Minden and Haliburton to wave at Santa, the grinch, dancing elves and kids on floats grinning from ear to ear.

Around half the floats were sponsored by local businesses, often with the owners or their families riding on board.

Some of the County’s most popular vendors didn’t show up.

There was no Amazon float. Costco’s board of directors weren’t waving to the crowd; BestBuy didn’t make an appearance either.

Jeff Bezos has almost certainly never heard of the Highland Storm, let alone donated money to fund a kid’s hockey team or held a toy drive for a Highlands public school.

Short on cash? Not likely.

Amazon’s profits rose to more than $100 billion a quarter in the first half of 2021, shipping with razor-sharp precision at a speed even Saint Nick would struggle to match.

If anything, COVID-19 has expanded the largest vendors’ reach.

It’s the local businesses who’ve felt the brunt of COVID-19: lumber yards, grocery store owners, restaurants and car dealerships who are actively working in the County.

And many are struggling with long-term impacts of COVID-19: we reported on supply chain woes in late summer that still threaten nearly every niche, and the Highlands inhospitable housing market makes it increasingly tough to find retail or service workers.

As a reporter, talking to people brave enough to start their own business is a highlight of the job. However, if I’m honest, I’ve often clicked “purchase” on gifts online I could have easily gotten from an independent shop within 20 kilometers.

It’s the local storefronts that bustle with holiday cheer and garland this time of year; those are the places that draw visitors and make towns into communities. Those are the places that support County kids with toy drives, gather coats for local families or take the time to get to know your name.

While large corporations strategized Boxing Day marketing, a group of artisans, crafters and bakers gathered at Abbey Gardens over the weekend to sell their wares: mittens, baking, soaps and paintings that are injected with the personality and care of the maker.

Haliburton’s Chamber of Commerce joined regional chambers in a new “Keepin’ it Local” marketing initiative, all about increasing local shops’ visibility.

In Haliburton, a Ladies Shopping night Dec. 9 is a night of sales, hot chocolate and late hours for local shops.

I recognize there is lots you just can’t find without going online. But since I’m the kind of person who shops for Christmas a little last minute, I have a choice to make this Holiday season: will I support the businesses working to build the kind of community I want to live in? Or will I chip in for Bezos’ next rocket?

You should care about the service delivery review

By

Lisa Gervais

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December 14, 2021

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would encourage the public to tune into the County services delivery review (SDR) steering committee meetings. The next one will likely be held in March or April via Zoom and YouTube.

I watched the Nov. 24 one learned a lot about what is going on behind the scenes. There are a number of working groups, mostly comprising staff from the five townships, who meet frequently to chip away at recommendations in the November 2020 SDR. At the quarterly meetings to County council, you get a glimpse into what they’re doing.

It also gives insight into what seems to be going smoothly and what isn’t going so well, and those who appear more open to change than others.

At first glance, it struck me that it’s going to take years. Turns out, I’m not wrong. CAO Mike Rutter said there’s basically a three-year window from when the report was delivered in November 2020, which takes us to the fall of 2023.

Procedure-wise it’s not simply a County council decision-making process, either. Each municipality will be voting on various recommendations before they are implemented. In other words, not all of them may be adopted if there is not the political will.

There has been some movement. For example, Scott Ovell began his job as the new director of economic development and tourism on Nov. 8. It was one of five new positions recommended in the SDR to support coordination and increased service levels. The townships have also signed off on hiring a procurement specialist to achieve savings through better sourcing. The only problem is they can’t find anyone.

I laud the building, bylaw and septic working group for inviting the Haliburton County Home Builders Association to the table. The human resources working group had Kyle Brewer attend a meeting. What better input than to hear from customers, or potential service providers, directly? We would encourage the other working groups to consider opening the door to dialogue with other key customers and user groups in the County.

I found the fire and emergency management discussion notes perhaps the most interesting as well as what Dysart et al fire Chief Mike Iles had to say on behalf of the group.

They have basically discounted much of the SDRs recommendations, saying they already have a hybrid approach to training and other collaborations they say were not reflected in the SDR report. However, they want a countywide community emergency management coordinator, not recommended in the report.

The roads, bridges and drainage working group is looking into things such as joint tenders for engineering services and automated traffic control. The waste management group is exploring an integrated waste management program and joint hazardous waste events. The planning group is discussing the County doing all pre-consultation work for consent applications and a consolidated County official plan and harmonized fees. The human resources group is investigating pooling benefits.

This is just a quick snapshot of some of the work taking place. All of the eventual changes will affect you in some way, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the process. I know we will.

Artist supports Canadian women for a cause

By

Sam Gillett

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December 9, 2021

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Organic Times’ new Haliburton location on Industrial Park Road is decorated for Christmas, with handcrafted gifts and housewares laid carefully around a Christmas tree.

Much of owner Deborah Lyons’ inventory comes from local makers. However, one book on display in the weeks leading up to Christmas has a local and nationwide connection.

Haliburton-based artist Gerda Neubacher is selling copies of Portraits of Canadian Women Who Inspire with 100 per cent of the profits going to SIRCH Community Services.

It’s a series of portraits accompanied by interviews with some of Canada’s most influential women: Neubacher painted Kim Campbell in her pyjamas, chatted about family life with celebrated TV Anchor Farrah Nasser, and remains friends with many depicted in the book’s glossy pages.

Neubacher’s portraits of each woman reflect parts of their personalities, past or future aspirations. It was a project which took years. Neubacher writes in the introduction that it was one of her most challenging and rewarding life experiences.

Neubacher added: “This book has a long shelf life. It’s as new now as it was 10 years ago.”

She said it felt right to contribute the proceeds of each sale to SIRCH. “I was so in awe with the idea of educating and training people there,” Neubacher said.

“I’m talking about Canadian women who inspire: this is another group of Canadian women who inspire and take people to the next level,” she said, mentioning SIRCH’s community support and training programs.

Lyons pointed out one woman is from Haliburton: Marion Sedgewick. Sedgwick was a nurse, missionary and United Church of Canada minister from Haliburton. Lyons said she values how the book uplifts women’s experiences and accomplishments.

“Those women need to be celebrated,” Lyons said.

Organic Times’ new digs

Lyons said business has been brisk at the shop’s new location so far. “It’s so difficult for people to travel, at times, from Eagle Lake, or Redstone to Minden,” she said.

All her goods are aimed at creating sustainable lifestyles: soy candles, glass repurposed into Christmas ornaments, locally-made greeting cards and soaps.

“People are really happy to repurpose products, give new life to products: they’re tired of the Amazons. They want to support local,” she said.