Thin Time of the Year

Palmer’s October is the thinnest and weakest time of the year. This is the time when weakened twigs can no longer hold on to the leaf. Branches release their heavy fruit. Tall grasses and shrubs of summer bend to their knees and then fall to ground in weariness. Bedding plants struggle to maintain a presence but soon succumb to the cooling earth in a heap. Boisterous flower blooms droop and crackle into a million pieces. Seed pods pop open and release their contents. Palmer’s sunflowers bend over at weird angles and surrender to the ground, like broken sculptures.

The strong and glorious colors of our Palmer autumn dull and fade, and we sense the thinness of the season. It’s still full of wonder but we’re now in a state of cautious anticipation for the full turning of the year into winter. It’s interesting that we celebrate the thinnest time with the fattest turkey and bulkist bags of cheap halloween candy, as if the huge caloric intake will fill up the empty spaces.

Also still as we treasure our summer memories, we often feel the bittersweet melancholy that marches with us in October. It’s no accident that many religions and cultures celebrate holy days of remembrance at this time of year. It is said that this is the easiest and most significant time of year to reach out to our ancestors and loved ones for guidance and connection.

October Deaths—Admission: Octover has ALWAYS felt melancholy. Many decades ago, my Mother died in October, very suddenly. This feeling of substantial October sadness only accelerated. Death is difficult, any time of year. But an October death is in keeping with the whole theme of seasons.

As a community we have lost some very dear people in the last few weeks. Elliott Gagnon passed last week very suddenly. Five years ago, he and his family established their joyful home in Palmer after the opening of his practice of Gagnon Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr Gagnon loved to listen to the stories of his patients, especially his elderly patients. He loved to help people with cancer, dog bites, burns, and lesions. He was not new to Alaska. He was born and raised in Anchorage, where he was a member of the Alyeska Ski Team and worked as an assistant guide on the Kenai River. Prior to moving back to the state, Gagnon was chief of surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Eureka, California, where he practiced for 6 1/2 years. His two children have been very successful in the Mat Su School System and his wife has been monumental in many important causes in the Valley. The Gagon’s have helped many in Palmer and the Valley and we are so sad to say goodbye to a good and kind man.

Hobo Jim passed a few weeks ago. Although Hobo Jim was not from Palmer, he owned all of us, at some level. He played always at the Alaska State Fair and at our bars and at our functions. He ate at local establishments and helped various causes. He was a state legend and Palmer is so sad to see this “singer of songs and teller of stories” pass on.

In the march of life, death is always a player. Palmer loses beautiful people regularly. Palmer also works hard to keep memories and honor alive of those we loved. Big love goes out to all those dealing with death and loss at this—brilliant yet melancholy—time of year.

Happier Note on the Granny’s—Palmer saw the advent of Granny’s Night Out on Saturday night. At least 23 women showed and took Palmer by storm. And after looking at their photos and their comments, it’s obvious that this crew had a great time. This is what is cool about our small town: a little group (with a theme and a bit of initiative) can make a big splash and all the unconnected observers enjoy the show too. We’ve seen this over and over. Palmer loves participants and everyone is encouraged to play.

This Week in Palmer:

Wednesday—History Night at the Palmer Moose Lodge

Thursday—Jared Woods live at the Palmer Alehouse Upstairs

Friday is the Tom Kizzia Cold Mountain Path book signing at Fireside.

Saturday—Witch’s Cauldron art project at The Art Cafe

Sunday—Alaska State Fair Holiday Bazaar

Be safe this week Palmer. Honor the dead and celebrate the living.

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 and museum in late October. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222