Palmer Buzz: Palmer helps out

There is a level of compassion and connectedness in Palmer that shows its’ face on a regular basis. This particular time of need is during the government shut-down for those furloughed or working without paychecks.

Here is how Palmer does it: Robin has been raising funds with #PalmerProud and #CommunityCares to help people with food and gas and bills. Backcountry Bike and Ski is offering free bike and ski rentals. Katie is helping with dog and cat food. Courtney is with working with Army Emergency Relief and is helping military and qualifying civilians. Nikki, Debby, and Sheri are helping with gift cards. Terre is a small business owner has who has donated $1000 challenge to other small businesses. Car Deets is donating. Sally Koppenberg has been offering free coffee and cookies at her restaurant the Bistro Red Beet since the beginning of the shut down. Michelle is calling congressional representatives. Edna is contributing personally. Midnight Sun Yoga Center is offering some free yoga. Some federal banks are offering interest free loans. Enstar has offered help. Kids Kupboard is offering free lunches for the children of the unpaid parents so no child goes hungry. The IBEW is holding potlucks and food drives.

There are lots more efforts in addition to faith group, civic groups, and personal contributions and assistance. And there are many quiet efforts we will probably never know about. In fact, the Palmer City Council is considering some support. And folks, this is the way Palmer pulls it together. Over and Over.

We see this sharing attitude at many difficult forks in the road. Remember when Backcountry Bike and Ski stepped up when a special boy’s bike was stolen? Remember all the breakfasts given to the the fire fighters by the Palmer Downtown Deli? And the donations for earthquake victims? We have seen this generosity of spirit as a repeated and unquestionable pattern—with local small Palmer businesses and neighbors.

Palmer Moonies—Palmer was filled with moon lovers on Sunday night. There were cars parked along dark roads, overlooks, and in parking lots. Presumably the passengers were all moon-watching. On local Social Media it was a veritable moonfest. Hundreds of pictures of the moon, in all her different eclipse phases, were posted. There were some Palmer moonwatching parties which featured moonpies (ordered special for the occasion) and Blue Moon beverages. Yes, there were fireworks as well. More than a few Palmer folks confessed that they actually did a bit of personal howling, just for fun. This is one of the special things about Palmer, Alaska. We participate in some of Nature’s events at a full level and we have no problem sharing with our neighbors.

New Bookclub in Palmer—Fireside Book Store has a new book club. They meet on February 13 at the bookstore and they are reading “Hope Never Dies.” Another local book club is reading “A Deadly Wind: The 1962 Columbus Day Storm,” by John Dodge. This club will be meeting on February 12 also at the bookstore. Another local book club is reading “Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows,” by Balli Kaur Jaswal. Their location is undisclosed. Finally, another local bookclub is reading “The Great Alone,” by Kristan Hannah. It’s a great time for book clubs. If you are in a book club, let us know what you’re reading or check in with Fireside Books and the Palmer Public Library for more information and possible connection.

Palmer’s Golden Heart Award—Nominations are being taken for the Golden Heart Award from the City of Palmer. This award is for people who have contributed greatly and frankly there are so many! So far this year, Mary Jo Parks, Janet Kincaid and Richard Best have been nominated. The Golden Heart award is given out as close to Valentines Day as possible.

Incredible and Deadly Palmer Winter Beauty—The hoar frost has coated every tree and flagpole with the most delicate of frosting. The whole town looks like a flocked holiday tree with diamond sparkle. But despite this frozen beauty, the bitter cold is deadly. Please check in with your neighbors, an elder, or a housebound friend. Make sure they are okay. Maybe help shovel their walk or sand their driveway. Or take them some soup. Soup fixes everything.

Opposites Unite—Snow machiners and skiers are often in different camps. Agreement is difficult because of the differing sport requirements on the same snow. Enter the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center. Remarkably, this unique volunteer group brings everyone together and works hard to keeping the two very different folks safe. The Hatcher Pass Avalanche “bridges the divide,” and saves lives. Skilled forecasters and passionate board members have doubled the amount of avalanche information available, in addition to putting on free and high demand clinics and workshops. There’s a big annual fundraiser next week on Feb 2 at the Palmer Moose Lodge. Live music, flowing beer, food and silent auction are on tap. You will see your favorite skiers and snowmachiners working and dancing together for a great cause. Tickets are twenty bucks and well worth it.

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