Palmer’s Raven Hall gets dressed

This week (and weekend) is the biyearly Consign49 event at Raven Hall It’s a pretty amazing transformation of the fairgrounds biggest indoor building. Past experiences have shown that Raven Hall can be creatively developed into many a different venue. But this community consignment event feels extra different—it’s as if you have just walked into a very huge and very affordable high-end department store. It’s a little overwhelming at first but when you look at the cleanliness, impressive organization, high quality and low price, it’s definitely a Palmer place to go this weekend. There’s nice clothing and boots, cool furniture, sporting equipment, beautiful artwork, tools, crafts, and every kind of curious tchotchke imaginable. Have fun!

Waiting Time—The big Halloween festivities are done. The summer is totally over. The harvest is complete. The time clocks are changed. The season of light is finished. We are now in the waiting time of year. It’s as if this is a great, big pause. We focus on the basic needs like tire changes and shoveling. And we count the days until Thanksgiving. We count the days until: the first substantial snowfall; Palmer winter Holiday festivities and holy days; the Solstice; the New Year 2022; winter break; seed starting; and the days untill the swans return. So we wait and we count. The anticipatory joy is subdued but right below the surface. Now is the time to appreciate the warmth and safety of our home and our community.

Pivot The Sad—If depression comes knocking, do some public service. There are plenty of needs in Palmer. Nothing feels better than to volunteer for a worthy cause. And there are plenty. Volunteers are always needed at the Palmer Public Library, Alaska Pioneer and Veterans Home, Valley Community for Recycling Solutions, Palmer Senior Citizen Center aka Mat-Su Senior Services, Palmer Food Bank, Palmer Medical Lending Closet, Project Linus Homemade Blankets, The Salvation Army Food Pantry, Court Appointed Special Advocate program, Long Term Care Ombudsman, Meals for Mat Su Littles, Family Time Supporters with the Mat Su Family Support Center, Special Santa, Safe Families for Children, Mat Su Borough Animal Shelter, Dog or Cat Fosters, or the Elder Mentor Program. The Palmer Lion’s Club, Palmer Rotary, Connect Palmer, Thrive Mat Su, The Yak, and many other organizations always accept help. There are so many worthwhile efforts in Palmer; it is an authentic community mission which shares the love and care with our neighbors.

Lights Up—Palmer does holiday lights well. And as we are preparing for this, don’t forget to check out the great lights in the sky. In the last week we have had two very dramatic episodes of aurora borealis. One was very late and one was very early—so if you are either a night-owl or an early bird, you had a chance to glimpse the magnificent colors dance. More than a few Palmer missed these opportunities. However, there are a number of “personal hot lines” available for friends and families who immediately call others—so they don’t miss the show. If you are not on one of these phone alert groups, then stay tuned to alerts which show up on the Palmer Alaska Buzz and Aurora Notifications groups on Facebook. And if you do miss the actual event, the followup pictures and photographs are there to gawk over. Big thanks go out to the intrepid photographers who follow and chronicle the magical Northern Lights and then share those pics with the rest of us.

Little Lights Time—It’s the perfect time for little fairy lights and white lights. If you don’t want to do the whole Red and Green Christmas lights yet, we all understand because it pushes the holiday. However, little outside lighting in Palmer is appreciated for its charm, safety, and warmth in the dark of November. It is probably a good thing to add that when you do your outside lights, consider your neighbors. If you have a big flashy display, consider only activating it between 5 and 9 pm. That way everyone can enjoy it and there is a pause for good sleep time and observation of our beautiful night sky.

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. Her “2022 Palmer Buzz Community Calendar” is available at Palmer shops this week! Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222