Welcome November to Palmer

This always seems like the darkest of all the months. Perhaps it is because we lose so much sun time with the clock change. Perhaps it is because all the holiday lights aren’t up yet. It seems that our recent small snowfall has brightened things up and for that we are grateful. After Thanksgiving it will all be the high energy holiday hoopla and that will take us to the end of the year.

Greatest Palmer Area Upscale Garage Sale—It’s the best community resale bazaar that happens twice a year. It’s Consign 49 and it happens at the Alaska State Fair’s Raven Hall this week, starting on Wednesday and ending on Sunday, November 9 through the 12th. It feels like everyone digs through their house and closets and brings their coolest stuff to sell. It feels like you are walking into a massive, affordable, high-end department store—everything is organized according to size and type. There is the sports area, the tool area, the decor area, seasonal things, vintage and antiques, baby things, men’s things and of course women’s clothing and footwear. That is just a few of the categories. Even the clothing is separated by size and function—fancy and worker and sweaters and jeans. Admission and parking is all free. There is an estimated 40,000 items.

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 are miles of blue jeans, acres of shoes and boots and a full flotilla of purses and handbags. There’s nice vintage clothing and hot looking boots, cool furniture, sporting equipment, beautiful artwork, tools, remarkable crafts, and every kind of curious tchotchke imaginable. Have fun!

November is Full—There are so many festivals, markets events and important days this month. We just had All Saints Day and Dia de los Muertos. Next is Voting Day. And Veteran’s Day. Palmer celebrates November in a big way…..with various markets, bazaars, and get togethers. The social time is near. Check the club and community calendars because so much is happening. Main Street is getting dressed up for the season and it is fun to watch the transformation into holiday time.

Time to Help the Palmer Community—There is lots of preparation for Thanksgiving dinners and support for helping others in this dark time of year. Volunteers are wanted for most of the events. It’s a good time to focus on the people that don’t have warm homes, full bellies, or safe residences. The United Way, Food-banks, faith and service organizations are all pulling out the stops to help. If you see someone in a snowdrift, help them out. It’s what we do.

Time Change—So with the Sunday time change, we woke to fresh snow dusting. This announced the absolute fact that Winter is here. Be extra careful of pedestrians, children, dogs and bikers now. They all should be wearing some sort of reflective gear but if you are driving a vehicle, YOU need to be extra observant.

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.