Mild Midwinter Gift

It’s mid January in Palmer Alaska and we’re having a nice pause in the big winter weather. Oh, of course it’s still winter, but it is mild out and as this column is written, there is no wind and no new snowfall. It seems like this reprieve is destined to give us grace from the hard stuff and allow us to enjoy some kind winter weather.

Palmer Bird Friends—The Palmer area has an attentive bird population. We have the chickadees along with an occasional Boreal chickadee are in our populations. Nuthatches, pine grosbeaks, hairy woodpeckers, spruce hens, owls and bald eagles are about, along with some flocking red polls. Magpies, ravens and Bohemian Waxwings are visitors as well. Both a sharp shinned hawk and taiga merlin is said to be somewhere in the Palmer skies. Look up!

Weekly Happy Runs are every Monday night in Palmer—They start at 6 pm at AKtive Soles and end up at the Palmer Alehouse, upstairs. It is a joy to join the runners and walkers and it is a joy to watch them go. In addition to active runners and walkers, there are babies and elders and dogs. There is no pressure. It’s safe, free and fun and part of our community’s family signature.

Take advantage of Bonus light every day—Various lakes have ice fishing and ice skating. In Hatcher Pass there is a delightful opportunity to indulge in sled riding, downhill and cross country skiing, walks with proper footwear, runs with special footwear, snow machining, and snowboarding. Interestingly mountain temperatures are higher generally because the Pass doesn’t get the same type of wind as the lowlands and it is subject to temperature inversions. Plus there is more than enough snow for all.

Indoor Palmer—There are indoor Palmer things which of course start with all the Palmer shops, restaurants, bars, and breweries. The Palmer Visitor Center and Museum is toasty warm and welcoming, as is the wonderful Palmer Library. The Palmer Tsunami observatory is where earthquake and tidal info are available. The Matanuska Experimental Farm has classes and curiosities for all. And don’t forget there are three plant stores in Palmer now. I’ve been to all three and each is a wonderful mix of warmth and greenery at this time of year.

Coming Up—There is lots of theater coming up. Tarzan starts at the Glenn Massey at the end of January. Colony Drama is producing the Wizard of Oz and it will be at the Glenn Massey theater at the end of February. Peter Pan is coming to the Glenn Massey in March, thanks to VPA. The annual Recycle Runway is planned. These are events that require tickets in advance and are always sold out.

This Week In Palmer—A variety of art and mosaic classes are available at the Art Cafe. There are seed starting parties, library events, and local Yoga at all the studios. There is live music at Palmer Ale House, There is a Soup Night fundraiser at Palmer High School this Saturday. It will raise funds for the Palmer Food Bank. Students have painted beautiful soup bowls and there will be an assortment of soups offered. The Musk Ox Farm will have an Irish Folk Musician, John Walsh, and his group in performance. Count on banjo, fiddle, bouzouki and great vocals.

There is a delicious “Local Coffee and Desert Tasting” on Sunday at Omnivore Restaurant on late Sunday afternoon. There is a Reloading Class at the Matanuska Valley Sportsman’s Range on Sunday, Saturday Flight Night with Palmer Moose Hockey at the train depot, Friday night square dance at Sophia’s; Friday night dance lessons at Klondike Mikes; and Wednesday night Bar Trivia Contest at Klondike Mike’s!

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