Colony Christmas over breakfast

PALMER — On the second day of Colony Christmas, a true club gave to our community a $5 breakfast.

The town of Palmer hustled and bustled on Saturday as people made their way from one building to the next, checking out holiday specials in stores and taking part in seasonal activities for the annual Colony Christmas event. The Palmer Lions Club has been intertwined in Palmer for more than 50 years. The service club has also been an active participant in the town’s Christmas tradition for 25 years, only three years shy of the entirety of Colony Christmas.

The Palmer Moose Lodge was packed with people eating pancakes, hash browns, eggs, and other breakfast items with “Granny June’s famous Sticky Buns.” This event used to be called the Pancake Breakfast, but over time, the menu expanded, changing the name to the Breakfast Buffet. Another change was the addition of Santa Claus, stopping by for his second year with the Lions. Several people at the event had been there before; one woman had attended every breakfast since 2001. According to Palmer Lions Club president Carol Kenley, the breakfast has become a tradition for the club, the community and city of Palmer.

“Isn’t it nice to see everyone in town come out?” one patron said as she was leaving.

According to Kenley, Colony Christmas is the “quintessential small town Christmas event.”

She misses the “Christmas train” coming through town. One of her favorite events is the “Parade of Lights,” and fireworks, staples of the Colony Christmas experience — that took place later in the evening. She called the parade “amazing” because it happens every year, even when faced with less savory weather conditions. From 20-below to blistering winds, “they do it no matter what.” To Kenley, this is a testament to the hardy, colonial spirit of the town.

“Anyone who works hard is welcome here,” Kenley said.

Kenley is “all Palmer.” She was born and raised here and graduated from Palmer High School. She’s seen the population boom over the years but to her, the “heart of Palmer,” still beats the same. She said that like the Lions Club, the town feels like and extended family, an “interfamily web.” She attributes the agricultural roots to a strong work ethic and close ties felt across the community.

“I’m not one those people that long for the good ol’ days. These are the good ol’ days,” Kenley said.

The youngest Lions member, Ashley Kincaid was there with her son, Jackson — the youngest honorary member with his special, honorary vest. Ashley, 30, has been in the Lions Club for six years and the acting Vice President for the past two. She met her husband in college in Idaho and he convinced her to move with him, back to his hometown. They planted their roots in the small town and got involved with the community. Ashley said she enjoys events like Colony Christmas because it has a way of pulling people from the “woodwork.”

“It celebrates the town and the little things. That can be lost if we don’t have events like these,” Ashley said.

The oldest member of the Lions, Clyde Oberg, has been a member for 48 years. He is 93 years old. He’s been the president several times. He said in the “old days,” women weren’t admitted as members but once his wife and others joined, the club flourished.

“I tell ya, these women shaped this club up in a hurry,” Oberg said.

Oberg’s favorite part of Christmas is spending time with grandchildren. He has dozens of them, across the state and the Lower 48. Ashley said that Oberg treats Jackson like a grandson. Oberg shared that sentiment.

“He’s a great boy. He’s already a Lion and he’s only two,” Oberg said.

Bringing in new, young members is an essential part of the Lion’s mission. The Lions volunteer at high school sports games, selling tickets so the parents can enjoy the game. Oberg said that they also get high school students to help set up the gun shows. He said that involving them helps them learn to do public service and become more community minded. The act of giving back is a common theme that carries through the holiday season.

“Christmas brings out the spirit of giving,” Kenley said. “Winter needs become more acute. You become more aware because it’s cold. You take stock of have you have and realize you have extra.”

‘Extra’ being a number of things, time, energy, resources, and so on. The Palmer Lions volunteer across the town. They help with Special Santa program, Santa Cop program, and Salvation Army, giving volunteered time, resources and large financial contributions. Lions members actively man the bell and red bucket at Palmer Fred Meyer, collecting donations.

“December is a very busy time of year for the Lions,” Kenley said.

According to long-time member, Janet Kincaid, they always return with full buckets of cash. She attributed the success to the cuteness of young volunteers like Jackson because, “people can’t resist little Jackson ringing the bell.” The younger generations following the step of the older is vital, according to Janet.

“You have to perpetuate or you’re dead,” Janet Kincaid said.

The Palmer Lions are a local chapter of an international service club. According to International Relations Chairman, Walt Hays, the Lions have the largest member base in the world, with 1.45 million members. It is also then Lions’ centennial this year. Hays said that works done by members like Oberg are “legendary.” Hays said that the Palmer Lions were recently placed in the top 5 Great Clubs list. This milestone was published in their Lions Clubs International December magazine.

The Palmer lions has about 80 active members but is always seeking new members. For more information, call 907-761-3750 or visit www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/palmerak