Here is the annual 'Palmer prepares for winter' checklist

Getting ready for winter is an Alaskan chore which sometimes starts in the spring or summer. But for most of us, we’re having way too much fun to focus seriously on the winter preparations. Well, we are now in the third week of September so we must get it done now.

The following list has been authentically crowd-sourced and revised over the years. It’s a bit scary because of its’ length. So you might want to read it in full and then just highlight your personal needs. Good Luck!

• Do the last mow. Put lawn-mover and weed whacker away for the winter.

• Find flash lights and check their functionality.

• Find the light activated timers and install

• Find snow shovels. Find car windshield scrapers. Find snow tires.

• Remove accessories from spigots.

• Button up the greenhouse. Throw leaves and mulch on the tossed garden

• Drain hoses on sunny day, roll, and store on coat hangers.

• Pick up tools you’ve left all over the yard.

• Put fresh straw in the dog houses

• Put up lawn furniture, horseshoe stakes, and croquet pieces.

• Turn the compost.

• Cut and stack wood.

• Hang and Fill feeders.

• Empty planters.

• Dig tubers.

• Scatter poppy seed. Collect seed pods. Plant bulbs.

• Find your ice grips or cleats.

• Find your winter boots, your snow pants, hats, scarves and mittens.

• Prepare for ice by stocking up bags of sand or kitty litter and a scooper; locate these nearby the walkways and sidewalks and stairs.

• Have your furnace checked along with your filters. Do annual maintenance.

• Inspect fire extinguishers and detectors.

• Clean gutters. Clean outside of windows.

• Check the seals around doors and garage doors.

• Bring out your family’s winter wear.

• Have stovepipes and chimneys cleaned

• Check fire alarms and fire extinguishers

• Pick last berries, apples and potatoes

• Get your car ready with emergency gear and extra clothing

• Unload shed, remove snow tires, refill shed.

• Dream. Buy Tickets. Pack.

• Pre-dig pet graves, just in case.

• Stock up your larder and book shelves with some of your PFD.

• Buy yarn.

• Buy TP, batteries, lantern oil, candles, wicks and globes

• Tie down trampolines, patio umbrellas and items

• Winterize boats or motorhomes.

• Put away fans and dig out the extra blankets.

• Finish all the summer projects you started.

• Put up all those little holiday lights before it gets too cold and early dark.

• Prepare emergency outage supplies, including battery operated candles, heat source and lighting alternatives.

Remember that Palmer winter has its natural beauty. We will have sky theater with northern lights, starts and satellites. But that beauty will only be enjoyed if you have warmth. It’s all about warmth. Heavy blankets, flannel shirts, thick socks. and soft hats. It’s also all about light. Creating it, preserving it, reflecting, exaggerating and saving light. And the ability to have warm, comforting and nourishing food is priority in the winter. Preparations to ensure warmth, light and nourishment promise to get you through to the other side of winter.

Community Health Fair is this weekend at the Palmer Train Depot from 8am to noon. Community Hike on Lazy Mountain is 9am on Saturday. Group Sound Bath on Wednesday at 6pm at the Pause, downtown Palmer. Mushroom Class is Saturday at noon at AK Namaste on Elmwood. Roller Derby intro on Wednesday at 6:30 at skate rink in Palmer. Senior’s Legal Clinic at the Mat Su Senior Center on Thursday from 10-330pm. Check the Palmer Alaska Buzz on Facebook for other Palmer events (no politics or religion) and details.

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of Palmer, Alaska. She shares the good stuff on the weekly Palmer Alaska Buzz in the Mat Su Valley Frontiersman and daily on the Palmer Alaska Buzz Facebook Group. Email bhunt@mtaonline.net or text at 907.315.3222.