PALMER BUZZ: It’s beginning to look a lot like December

PALMER — We are on the eve of December; and in Palmer, Alaska, the month of December means something special...pretty much every single day. It is hard to track all the buzz in Palmer during this jam-packed month, but I will do my best.

The Palmer Post Office is the place to be

Plan on waiting and enjoy it; it’s a busy place.

Rather than complaining and whining about “being in line” at the Palmer Post Office, plan on singing, chatting, reading, texting, or knitting. Frankly this is a far better way to spend your time in line at the busy Palmer Post office. Sometimes people bring a lawn chair for comfort. Or cookies. Picking up packages is an Alaskan rite of passage in December—so just make the most of this special time with your neighbors.

If you are really in a hurry to send something, go down to the UPS store in Key Bank Plaza.

They are wonderful and quick and friendly.

Why we love the wind

The power of P-Town positive thinking is contagious. So hundreds Palmer enthusiasts shared their explanations why our brutal winds are so good. These are your answers and they are so great! Here is a quick compilation:

Palmer winds dry out the roads and clear off the ice; it blows the Aurora around; it lets the hawks play in the gusts; it’s a good sweeper-upper; it’s a good deterrent for smokers; it makes snow swirlies; it allows your driveway to clear so you don’t have to plow; it cools things off and scrubs your face clean; dogs do their business quicker; it blows dead branches off the trees; you receive free trampolines and garbage lids from the neighbors; it spreads good seeds; it tests your automobile insurance policy; travel agencies benefit; it allows you to not worry about hairstyles; it scrubs snow off of local lakes allowing perfect skating conditions; it allows for free entertainment watching people negotiate the gusts; it powers the personal wind turbines; it sings a lovely song and adds mystery and intrigue to any evening; it provides the perfect excuse to stay home and snuggle; it is easier to run in one direction with a tailwind; it enriches our farmland; it justifies Scream Therapy; it moves atmospheric gases around which is helpful to us in the northern latitudes; it dries out stacked wood; it provides extra mulch for peonies; it blows the fog away; it turns a short walk into a grand adventure; it freshens musty cars; it is great hat wearing weather; it dissipates farts quickly; it sounds like the ocean and it keeps the world turning.

The very best thing about the blowing wind is when it stops.

How about those Palmer Paraders?

It was a proud moment to see Mat-Su Valley students strutting on national TV in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. They represented well!

How about those fancy fireworks?

Stan Guthrie, owner of Country Cutts, shares his joy of living yearly on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. He sponsors a major fireworks event and it is over the top. This past weekend’s show was more than perfect and we all thank him for his generosity and care for community.

Local bread with purpose

You can still order delicious LOCAL bread if you hurry—order online on Facebook through—Rita Kenley Christiansen, Loaves of Love 2017. This volunteer project bakes in three shifts in mid December. The bread is the product of compassion toward cancer victims. It is totally local love made on Palmer Fishhook. Chocolate Cherry, Cinnamon Burst, Sticky Buns, Humdingers Pizza Crust, White, Wheat, Italian Herb, Spinach Feta, Bacon Cheddar or Jalapeño Cheddar. You can help bake, or make lunch for the bakers, or just pre-order the bread.

Welcome home for the holidays

College kids, alumni and folks who left: They are back and they are looking for reunions and all the stuff that kept Palmer precious in their memories. They are hitting up the “Messiah,” Festivus, “The Nutcracker,” fire on the river bank, hike up the Butte, skating on the slough, hanging out at the V-Ho, visiting the animals at the shelter, dropping by the library or school where they spent so much time. Welcome them home.

Special Santa time

This is a tradition in Palmer, which involves the best version of ourselves.

Mary Jo Parks is the lead elf of Mat-Su Special Santa and spends most of the year organizing this event—which culminates this month. She, along with worker elves, collect donations and toys, handmade quilts, teddy bears, coats, boots and books for sharing with the needy. Last year the group served more than 3,500 children and 1,200 families, all in Mat-Su.

Individuals and businesses contribute to this effort in many ways. Theme Christmas trees are creatively decorated and sold. Men from Goose Creek Correction Center build finely constructed wooden toys for children. The U.S. Marines Toys for Tots is involved. Young adults help with the packing and the lists. Volunteers from all over join in with major contributions coming from large companies like MEA.

The workshop and elf central is located at 12271 E. Palmer Wasilla Highway in the Salvation Army building. Stop by and see the joy or log on to www.specialsanta.net to sign up and volunteer.