Palmer residents celebrate with picnic, awards

PALMER -- Ominous black storm clouds and the promise of oncoming rain didn't deter revelers at the Palmer Pride Picnic.

Attendees, many of them clad in the traditional blue colors of the city, carpeted the area surrounding the train depot on Friday afternoon to feast on free refreshments and enjoy good company.

At the ceremony, Palmer Mayor Jim Cooper granted a number of special recognitions for both citizens and businesses that have gone the extra mile for Palmer over the past year.

Palmer's much-anticipated Citizen of the Year award for 2004, given for, Cooper said, "behind-the-scenes work that's really done a lot for the city," went to Brad Hanson, longtime Palmer resident and current Palmer City Council member.

Cooper attributed the selection of Hanson for the award not only to his long record of service rendered to the city by maintaining the quality of its football and baseball fields, but also his time spent coaching sports, serving on the planning and zoning commission, volunteering at Colony Days and the A-Moosement Park and especially his advocacy and effort for the construction of a Palmer ice rink, a dream that is becoming a reality this fall.

"[Brad] has earned admiration and respect from everyone he's come into contact with," Cooper said. "He's one who truly always answers the call."

Hanson reacted to the award with his typical aplomb, declining to say anything beyond a simple expression of gratitude.

Cooper said Hanson's response showed characteristic modesty. "He's done an absolutely wonderful job for the city of Palmer," the mayor said.

State Rep. Carl Gatto, R-Palmer, came forward to award a special certificate to Mary Combs, a longtime resident of Palmer and contributor to the community.

Gatto said this award, which was approved by Congress, was designated for "people who have done incredible things for [the] community."

Gatto, Sen. Lyda Green, R-Mat-Su, and Rep. Bill Stoltze, R-Butte/Chugiak, all turned out to show their Palmer Pride.

Combs, who has been involved in Little League, Salvation Army, and countless other community-oriented activities, accepted the award with modest pleasure. "I'm just overwhelmed by this thing," she said. "It's a wonderful town and I'm so glad I'm here."

Palmer's yearly town beautification prizes for both individual homes and commercial establishments were also distributed by Cooper at the picnic, to Hermon Brothers Field, Salix Designs, Valley Hospital, and Scrub-a-Mutt.

Combs, incidentally, has also been instrumental in the caretaking and beautification of Hermon Brothers. "This is my baby," she said upon accepting the award for the field.

"The field is absolutely gorgeous," Cooper said. "They've done a phenomenal job keeping it in shape."

This year's pride picnic was of special import due to the presence of 20 delegates from the Japanese town of Saroma, Palmer's sister city. The delegates were winding up a week spent touring the Valley and the Kenai Peninsula, and mingled with Palmer regulars at Friday's celebration.

Cooper sent the delegates on their way with the presentation of a famous photo of Palmer and Pioneer Peak titled "Palmer: Alaska at its Best."

"The bonds of friendship, understanding, and goodwill have strengthened over the years," Cooper said. "This will be forever remembered as a day in which the citizens of our communities reaffirm the bonds we share."

Cooper issued a framed mayoral proclamation in honor of the day, and granted each of the delegates honorary citizenship in Palmer.

Saroma Mayor Jiro Hori reciprocated the sentiment. Speaking through an interpreter, he thanked Cooper and Palmer City Manager Tom Healy for their hospitality, and said he regretted it was already time to say good-bye.

"I am happy to be a part of Palmer pride," he said. "After seeing the city of Palmer, we will work hard to make our sister city of Saroma better."

The Saroma delegates helped cut a cake prepared in their honor, which was then distributed to the appreciative crowd.

The ceremony also involved the presentation of colors by Boy Scout Troop 367 and the singing of the national anthem. In addition to hot dogs, cookies, and cake, residents ate vegetables donated by Palmer Produce in the Butte, the Springer Loop area's Vanderweele Farms and John Hett, a local bean and pea farmer.

Contact Daniel Spoth at daniel.spoth@frontiersman.com.