Palmer is pumpkin town

It’s fun to drive around the neighborhoods and see the pumpkins grinning in the Palmer area. Sadly, some of the porch pumpkins will become moose fodder. Because you see, moose LOVE pumpkins. And especially if they have cool cut out faces, which makes them easy to break open and access the pumpkin meat goodness.

Last Week in October—This week is full of possibilities and denials. Many Halloween events are scheduled with innovative “social distancing” guidelines. Some will happen and some might be canceled, due to the virus numbers. But two things are certain. There will be a super full moon on Saturday night and the official time change will happen at the same time. With all the craziness of covid and elections, these two events take special significance.

One More Week—By the next time the Palmer Alaska Buzz publishes the weekly column, the elections will be over. Results may or may not be satisfactory. But hopefully all the fliers, advertisements and phone surveys will be over. Overall election fatigue should start to diminish and we can get back to focusing on our chosen Palmer lifestyles.

Happy Birthday Week—The Palmer Alaska Buzz sends out birthday greetings to two individuals who devoted their hearts and talents to Palmer. Both Dean Phipps and Mike Chmielewski turned 80 years old this past weekend. Both men have been major players in the growth and dynamics of the Alaska State Fair and Palmer’s Public Radio Station, respectively. Both men had well-deserved and joyous pandemic porch and sidewalk parties.

Queen of Recycle—Another totally remarkable Palmer person, Mollie Boyer, is transitioning between life and death right now. Mollie was THE Palmer activist and engine behind the Valley Center for Recycling. She and many devoted followers created the successful recycling effort in the Valley, over the last few decades. She shamelessly pushed her cause and drove people crazy in the very best way possible. As she leaves us, let’s share our thanks for all she has taught us. She is a local hero who has definitely left our world in far better shape.

Palmer Turns Back Time—Over 70 countries in the world set their clocks back by one hour on the first weekend in November. In theory the practice conserved energy, amplified sunlight hours. However, we, in Palmer Alaska, don’t like it.

The backwards time shifting affects our health, sleep habits, vehicular accidents, and illnesses. The negative effects it has on mood are always the worst in the first three weeks. This time tumble demands that we negotiate the month of November carefully. As if the election, virus, and full moon weren’t enough, now we need to be extra careful to practice self care due to manipulation of a clock.

Palmer people know that grabbing bits of sunlight is essential. You will see people walking at noontime and using the sunshine to their personal advantage. Participate in activities outside; fortunately Palmer has many available.. Stay as healthy as possible, go for walks in safe footgear, and take your vitamins.

Please be gentle to the little timekeeper in your brain when it gets confused and worried. The time change isn’t normal and falling backwards is not normal. We will adjust however and Palmer will recover from this and everything else. Stay careful and kind.

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