The Palmer Empty Chair and Extra Plate

This is an annual Palmer Thanksgiving tradition which is simple but meaningful. We set a symbolic empty chair and place-setting for those who are not with us at the Palmer dinner table. This year, the year of Covid, the empty chair tradition is all the more important. It’s hard to feel joy and gratitude when you are feeling the loss of a missing friend or family member. So by offering an empty chair and extra plate, we recognize this person as a welcome guest. This isn’t ghostly hocus-pocus. It means that this person is always invited, remembered and welcomed; that personal recognition is an honor. The guest may not have have a lot to offer in the way of conversation, but by giving them a space, you are giving those loved ones both a silent voice and recognized presence. The empty chair is a significant placeholder and a gratifying memory of folks who have been dearly loved, but are now unavailable because of death, illness, domestic violence, drugs, strife, service, virus, or distancing. Give them a chair and serve them up. This Corona year, because there are so many missing frrom our tables, the symbolic empty chair may have to embrace multiple people—but that’s okay. Let them all snuggle in.

Palmer Happy Thanksgiving—It’s food and abundance time. Hopefully for everyone. The Valley has many generous groups, stretching out and sharing food at this time of year. This is the best holiday of the year because it focuses on friendship, community and family and not on candy, gifts, hearts or fireworks.

Turkey Week—This is the week for Turkeys. Everywhere you look in Palmer, are turkeys. This is the hardest week for grocery store cashiers because they have to lug and pack those big turkeys. If you look in some of the cars parked in town, more than one vehicle has a frozen turkey defrosting in a tub on the back seat. Again, this is a totally Valley tradition. Most all of the local live turkeys have had their big date by now and are now awaiting attention on Thursday. Some are basking on back decks, some are squashed in refigerators, and some are lazily laying in coolers in the garage. But they will be at attention on Thursday morning. Some will be deep fried; and some will be smoked. But the vast majority of Palmer turkeys will be slipped into the oven, beside local vegatables and pies, to indulge in a lengthy, roasty hot nap.

Puzzle Week—Both puzzles and board games are making a comeback, during the Covid times. Fortunately Palmer has an incredible selection of puzzles. Non-Essentials has a tremendous collection of art puzzles. Fireside Book Store also has some incredible puzzles. These are not boring puzzles. They are beautiful graphics and art products that look lovely in pieces or put back together. Many of us have memories of doing puzzles with our aunties or cousins. It’s a peaceful thing to pursue and Palmer has so many puzzles to suit you.

Palmer Small Business Challenge—Everyone knows our local small businesses are having a difficult year. And now, in the traditional shopping season, the shops and vendors are really hurting. Commit to buying local, please. All of our local shops are working hard to be open and safe. This includes special hours, spacing, sanitization, ordering, curb side, mask wearing, and even delivery. The Palmer Alaska Buzz facebook page has many links for groups of vendors and shops. Use our technology to connect with local solutions. Next week the Palmer Alaska Buzz will focus on options for you to consider. Until then, stay safe and warm. This columnist thanks you for your local contributions and for loving Palmer.

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