North is fire; east is water

Leaving Palmer by either of the two only major highway routes results in facing up to wild-land fires and smoke in the north and river erosion and undercut flooding in the east. This all kind of coalesced together on Saturday night with a large growing fire on the Parks Highway and the Matanuska river erosion on the Glenn Highway.

The are at least 160 active wildfires in our state and thus far this year nearly 400,000 acres have burned. The fires are caused by lightning strikes, hot dry conditions and the fires come with heavy dramatic smoke.

The Glenn Highway follows the Matanuska River east ward. When the river has swollen overflow, property and banks are severely affected. The threats become real with more hot weather and subsequent rapid snow melt and rising water. The Matanuska is well know for its erosion and consumption of river banks, damaging and threatening houses, buildings, roadways and other public facilities. The peak streamflow peaks with the rapid snowmelt occurring in late June or Early July.

Friday Flings Fracas and Free For All—Last week there was a sudden announcement from the Palmer of Chamber that the next two Friday Flings were canceled. This abrupt news was not happy news for anyone and reactions were strong along with conjecture and conspiracy theories. Public safety was cited as the reason for cancelation.

For anyone not knowledgable about Friday Flings, be it known that it is a wildly successful local market happening only on summer Fridays. It is anticipated all the long winter. Over many years It has evolved into a well-loved and attended event, delightful in its intent with plants, flower baskets, vegetables, notions, gardening, music, arts, and many food trucks, nonprofit groups and vendors.

Last Friday was the first cancelation. Desperate and dedicated vendors and citizens tried to piece together alternative small Friday Fling-ettes, where folks could gather at mini-markets. The attempts to recreate the Friday Fling in smaller slices was honest and sincere. However part of the draw of the traditional downtown Friday Fling festival is the synergy of downtown, adjoining shops, train tracks, museum, street closure, grassy park, pavilion, sidewalks, and a central meeting place. So downtown Palmer, on last Friday afternoon without the Fling, looked a bit lonely and a bit lost. There were a few tour buses spotted with passengers walking somewhat aimlessly about. There was no music. There was a skate boarder working their board.. There was a vendor all alone at the pavilion. The welcoming festival atmosphere of gaiety was frankly missing in a big way. Up the road, in several locations, were segments of the Friday Fling crowd doing their best. It was somewhat of a sad commentary on the success of growth and its associated challenges.

Palmer Chamber of Commerce— This dedicated organization has been around for many years with various directors, membership levels, sponsorships, employees and volunteers. It has had a good and hearty reputation. Many of us have attended hundreds of their meetings, events and volunteered regardless of membership. Recently it appears that the Chamber is having some growing pains, which are confusing and uncomfortable for everyone.

Despite the clunky last minute decisions and rather poor communication, the Chamber needs to be credited with attempting to keep the overall mission going. And let’s not forget what that mission is…promotion of Palmer. Missteps are part of natural growth and chaotic changes in management; frankly we all make mistakes. Palmer forgives easily if we remember the mission. However, the blame game has accelerated.

The Chamber of Commerce can not be blamed for anything that goes wrong including the wildfire, the flooding, the hot weather, the parking problems, the mosquitoes nor the grasshoppers. In short, let’s not apportion blames, grievances and resentments on an organization that has historically been a huge positive support for our community of Palmer.

Peony Time in Palmer—This annual perennial is an exquisite and symbolic flower in Palmer. There are bushes and local farms where you can pick your own peonies. The aroma is strong and bold. The large blooms mean wealth, honor and fortune. Plus peony bouquets are said to represent compassion. And we all need more of that!

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. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222