PALMER BUZZ: Never tire of Palmer skies

Palmer Photo Frenzy—We never get tired of taking snaps of our sunsets, sunrises, mountains and creatures. Sometimes social media has dozens of the same event, from many different viewpoints. It’s a phenomena because each photo is better than the last one. I think documenting these events is one of the ways we appreciate where we live. It causes a pause in our lives, to stop, catch your breath and take a snap of our wonderful world.

History Night —7pm, Wednesday at the Moose Lodge—The Palmer Historical Society meets this week and it is always interesting. This month’s talk will be feathering Dr. Stephen Brown! Science and history is the discussion! Dr. Brown will talk about mapping challenges in the North and some NASA research projects. It is open to the public and free. And there are always cookies.

Love On Main Street—This is a February’s long lovefest in Palmer. Many of the main-street merchants are gearing up for this great attraction. It’s loosely organized and spontaneous but 100 percent authentic. Clothing stores will “Love How You Look.” Bookstores will “Love the Books You Read,” and restaurants will push the “Love What you Eat”. NonEssentials is asking what foods you loved. in your life. Peak Boutique is all about plain Palmer Love.

It’s all about love you know….and the Palmer Downtown Deli is having an open art show entitled simply, Love. Local Painters and artists and photographers are all encouraged to bring in a piece depicting their “love.” This isn’t about big red hearts. It’s about what we totally love in our world and in our little Palmer Community. For more information, go to “Love on Palmer’s Main-street” Facebook group page.

Palmer Reflections—Thirty one years ago I went down to Deb’s Drug Store on Palmer’s Main-street and sat at the counter in the back of the shop. It was Martin Luther King day, a relatively new recognized holiday. I recall clearly a conversation at a table behind me. Two older Caucasian men were making fun of the holiday and of the leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, himself. I didn’t say anything. I just cringed and tried to quietly justify their rude comments to either age or ignorance.

Today I went down to Palmer. And as I thought about MLK day, I became so grateful that things have changed. People are more accepting and flexible and it just took time.

I was feeling really good about this progress. Until I went shopping. A youngish Caucasian man was in the store, talking very loudly on his cell phone. He was perhaps 30 or 35 years old. He was telling a buddy about having a chicken and watermelon picnic because that's what “they” do. He continued to jam insults about the “idiot” holiday and the slain leader. I stepped out in front of him. I wanted to verbally admonish him, but I couldn’t. He was carrying. But I did give him a strong stink-eye look of total disgust and pity. At which he looked back at me kinda and started saying, “Well you know, it’s all in fun, right?” No, I don’t, sir. It wasn’t funny. I wish I had done more. Racists in the stores talking loudly on cell phones still exist. Even in Palmer.

This Week in Palmer—This weekend is movie night at the Palmer Library on Friday night. And Saturday there is a spaghetti fundraiser at the American Legion to benefit a local family who was burnt out of their home. Our Sister City Wasilla is having a big old birthday party on Saturday night—Happy 101 Wasilla! Palmer Monday Market resumes on the 22nd at the Depot. It is a good cause and features local items and a totally local flavor.

Live Portrait Painting—Sunday afternoon is a special event. Palmer has many beautiful women and one of them will be sitting for portraits on Sunday Afternoon. Margaret Adsit is a classic beauty and has agreed to be the subject for painters and sketchers alike. It takes several hours to capture a likeness. If you wish to join the group, check out instructions on Barbara Hunt Art Page. If you just want to watch the painters do their thing, come over to the Palmer Downtown Deli, but be quiet….the painters will be focused on their wonderful task. Thanks to proprietor Kevin Brown for opening up his Deli for cultural and creative events.