Palmer Buzz

February is always significant—It is proof that we have survived another deep, dark time of winter. This is simply verified by looking at the difference in daylight we receive every day. We are are positioned in the increasing arc where we will start to collect nearly five minutes A DAY! It is proof that the seasons will change soon. This is verified by the filled seed racks you see in the grocery stores and hardware stores. It is also verified by the fact that bicycles and lawn furniture are being featured on the floor of these stores.

February is Jazzy—It feels like Alaska really restarts its social engine in February. Suddenly there are events everywhere you look. Weekends are full. Holidays are plentiful. Groundhog’s Day; Valentines Day; Black History Month; National Library Month, President’s Day, Lunar New Year. It is a joyful reset after the darkest and coldest of months.

Big Events This Month—There will be big events for Super bowler fans and. Farmers Hikers, Musicians, Trail Enthusiasts, Scientists, Political Parties/parades/protests, Skiiers, Olympic Watchers, Quilters, Gourmet tasters, Recyclers, Pastel painters, Fashion shows, Football entursiasts, Cooks and Bakers, Foodies, Horse people, Theater people, Movie premieres, Dog people, Art classes, and Book Clubbers. Locally there will be Sentinal Stories, Recycle Runway, President’s Day Dinner, large music events, Wine Walk, Basketball games, Wrestling matches, Borough Tax Due-Day, and on the 15th, the Anniversary of the Palmer Library Collapse, There will be numerous public hearings and a full variety of religious ceremonies also this month.

Big Events Outside—Outside is the great adventure for outdoors people. Snowmachiners, downhill skiiers, Fat Bikers, Cross country skiiers, Skaters, snowshoe people, and ski tours.

More Snow in Palmer—It’s coming down and building up. And it is fun. However, sometimes pedestrians are forced to walk in the roadways, because of snow. Slow down and please give them plenty of room. When you are sweeping off your parked vehicle, it is nice to give your neighbor’s windshield a nice sweep as well. It’s called Random Sweeps of Kindness. Be aware of the Palmer Fattie Bikes that are out and about along with a few cross country skiers, we’ve seen happily sliding through town.

Time to do some Major Planning—Now is the time to do Summer Vacation planning, Garden plannng, Construction planning, Moving plans, Relocation plans, Home Improvement plans, Farm field strategies; Summer celebration and reunion plans; Summer excursion plans; Fair entry plans and Rental preparations.

February Notation—There are 47 days until spring actually arrives on the calendar.

February is the shortest month—The actual reason February is shorter is simple. The Romans wanted to create a balanced calendar, which indeed should synchronize with the moons along with agricultural needs. The 28 day structure was standardized in the Julian Calendar. February’s quirks are not hardships for Palmer Alaskan. We believe there is nothing wrong with a brief month, especially when it is on its way to springtime. And the fact that National Cabbage Day is February 17, is especially appreciated in Palmer because of the affection Alaskan’s have towards growing mammoth cabbages.

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