PALMER BUZZ: Christmas Week

Palmer Christmas Week—{span}This is a special time of year for so many reasons. As a gift to readers, the Palmer Buzz will recount a few of the best stories of this past year. Sit back, have a nog and enjoy.

Palmer Pup “Pepper” lost and found her Peeps—This was a heartfelt story of a sweet family, car accident, lost dog and ongoing search. Many strangers, neighbors and residents took part in looking for poor Pepper. This story unfolded in “live time” on the Palmer Alaska Buzz Facebook Group. The dog’s owner, Miranda Miles, recounted the full story and recovery, complete with details, today. She explains that, “It feels like a Christmas story.” And she is right. We are all so grateful for this woman’s story of Pepper’s circuitous journey home.

Baby Goats are Stars of the Alaska State Fair—It feels unanimous. The baby goats in the Pioneer Plaza, at the Alaska State Fair, were the most popular, ongoing, performance act—ever to be offered in that enclosed circular location. Those darn goats smiled at thousands of visitors every minute and hour of the entire fair. No one had to wait for a show time, because the goats were the show. People loved their little goat size, antics, and delightful goat drama. Kudos to the State Fair for recognizing what people love.

Palmer Post Office crowd is Sung to and Served Cookies—As always the holidays are hard on postal workers and on the many line-waiters for postal services. However this year there were a few wonderful breaks for all. Musicians offered surprise serenades and neighbors brought unanticipated cookies. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

Palmer’s Daily Tribute—Our incredible sunrises and sunsets are a thing of exquisite beauty. And apparently a few thousand people agree. Sunsets and sunrises are documented by hundreds of appreciative viewers in the Palmer Area. We are treated to personal sunset pictures from every angle, over and over again. And we never weary of this landscape, which is ours to share. This is really the power of recognizing and appreciating our place. Other geographic areas have inspiring statutes, magnificent architecture, and awesome bridges. No doubt these are photographed repeatedly. But in our area of Palmer Alaska, our next-door neighbor is mother nature, who changes her appearance every single day. I’ve personally labeled it “nature in your face,” for which we are so grateful.

Important Music this Weekend—This Sunday (December 26) at Saint Michael’s Catholic Church—in Palmer will be “Winter Respite, Home for the Holidays.” Jerimiah Oliver will be playing piano at 2pm. This is a program you won’t want to miss. Jeremiah’s hometown is Palmer although he has played and taught in many places. He grew up here and is bringing his piano talent home to share with us.

The Palmer Buzz wishes everyone a beautiful holiday. I hope you are warm, fed, safe and loved. Light a candle for those who have moved on and keep the light of our Palmer community burning bright.

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. Her “Palmer Buzz 2022 Community Calendar” is available at Palmer shops. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222