City of Palmer recognizes local business, residents

On Friday evening, the community gathered at the Palmer Depot for the 35th annual Celebrate Palmer event. Select Palmer citizens were recognized and awarded, and free hotdogs were offered to all who attended.

Around 50 members of the community gathered at the depot to partake in the event. City of Palmer mayor, Steve Carrington, began the evening by thanking all for coming.

“There’s big names that we of course know, but sometimes we can also notice those unsung heroes, the ones that don’t get recognized,” said Carrington. “To me, that’s what’s really great about Palmer, is that we have a lot of these cool, quiet unsung heroes living here.”

The first award recognized by Carrington was for the 2024 Ambassador of the Year. Palmer couple, Denise and Pete Christopher, received the award due to their longtime devotion and contributions to the Mat-Su Miners baseball team.

“We just do what we do because we like what we do,” said Denise Christopher. “We just like all the people here, so our guys come up here and they bring their families, and in the off-season, we do a lot of benefits and things that support Palmer and bring people here.”

Following, Carrington recognized the 2024 Business of the Year awarded to Big Dipper Homemade Ice Cream.

Owner Robert Brown accepted the award on behalf of the business, sharing their aspirations to open more store locations throughout Alaska. Now, the Big Dipper has two dine-in locations in both Palmer and Wasilla.

Long-time Palmer citizen Bill Pagaran led the crowd in a prayer using his Alaska Native drum.

Carrington proceeded to award Pagaran the 2024 Influencer of the Year award, recognizing his commitment to spreading suicide awareness and upholding Alaska Native traditions and culture.

“The beauty is that there's such amazing gifts and talents that each of us have and when we come together like this and celebrate it is amazing,” said Pagaran.

Pagaran's wife, Amanda, was present in the audience. To her surprise, Carrington awarded her as 2024 Citizen of the Year for her service and commitment to the Palmer community.

Pagaran found her passion working with the valley’s youth as she devoted 20 years to education in the Matanuska Susitna School District. Pagaran taught language arts, social studies and even drama when the position was open.

“When I would run into my past students, all I would need to tell them is that I was the one that yodeled,” said Pagaran.

Retiring from Palmer Junior Middle School in 2007, Pagaran dedicated her time to her family, often accompanying one of their children, Aria, who experiences a disability.

Of those who gathered, many members of the Palmer City Counsel were present including Victoria Hudson who intends to run for one of the city council positions.

Hudson brought along her young family and brother to the event. Hudson shared how it is events like Celebrate Palmer that have made her love the community since moving to Palmer just two years ago.

On each of the tables at the event, winners of both the Palmer residential and business awards were listed. The first residential award was given to the home at 325 E Fireweed Avenue. The first business award was given to Feather and Flour, located on South Cobb Street.

As Carrington concluded the evening, he invited everyone who gathered to grab a hot dog.