Who Let the Girls Out?

Last weekend in Palmer was a festival of joy for the “Who Let the Girls Out” annual celebration. People of all stripes were walking, talking, laughing and sunning themselves on the sidewalks and the green. Kites were flying and music was playing. The details didn’t matter because there was delight in every single hour of the day. Many folks wore masks and many celebrated their full -vaccination status. It was as if liberation had come to Palmer, after a hard-disciplined year of self-enforced and selfless community responsibility.

Who Let the Dogs Out?—The Dogs of Palmer are out and walking proud. They must sense the happiness because they’re trotting taller and smiling wider. It’s as if they reflect their human’s jubilation. Let’s remember to clean up after our animals. If you don’t have a doggie bag with you, there are some available at the pavilion parking lot. Bag it and toss it in the trash and keep our town pungent and poop free.

Who Let the Bikes Out?—Bikes of all flavors are spinning through P town. Husky mountain bikes, slender townie bikes, sweet ebikes, tricycles and even a unicycle or two. Once again it is inherent on the larger vehicles to share the road—courteously— with these smaller modes of transportation. The bigger the vehicle, the more responsible one must be to the vulnerable smaller bike population. And bikers must be equally courteous and attentive to pedestrians. It’s all a part of town life and the friendly civility which we all love.

Palmer Primroses are the First—The Palmer Showcase Garden, beside the Museum, is the winner for first outside green leaves. The small but well-planned little rock garden in the southeast corner has Primroses growing by the minute. There is lewesia, primula auriula, saxifraga, alpine toad flax also known as linacea. (I am not really that smart to know all these cool botanical names. I only know them because the valley volunteer crew of the Alaska Rock Garden Society worked hard and placed little plant labels on them!) In addition to the primroses, the big old rhubarb plant (aka Polygonacea) has big red growth already.

Squish Season—Some outrageously delightful puddles still remain in the Palmer area. Small boats have explored these new water bodies. Live water streamlets have been created by run-off. And the sidelines, game-fields, hayfields, paths and walkways remain squishy. It’s a terrific time for rubber boots.

Open the Windows—After such a long winter and difficult year, there is nothing better than to air out our homes. It is a fine physical action. But it is also metaphorical as we conduct an emotional cleansing, which adds even more joy to our spring season. Open your windows and listen to the sandhill cranes, the newly arrived thrush’s song or a loud wedge of swans trumpeting overhead.

May Weekends in Palmer—We have a whole series of fun stuff happening in the Palmer area starting this weekend. The Valley Chrome & Wheel Classic car, truck and cycle show is Saturday at the MTA center/ice rink. Planting day at the farm is Saturday. Fire and Ice MASKerade ball is at the fairgrounds. And at the Palmer Senior Center, there is a May Day Play Day with music, games, vendors, food trucks followed by a dance from 4-6pm. Next weekend is Mother’s Day celebrations and the Airman Show at and around the fairgrounds and airport facilities. Theres an Alaska Hound Group show at the fairgrounds as well. The third weekend includes a Vintage Market treasure hunt scheduled along with an open air market and food truck festival at the fairgrounds. There is the annual Lions Club Gun Show on the third weekend, at the MTA center/ice rink. There is weekend live music at Palmer Ale House and Klondike Mikes always. It’s extra nice to know that May graduations are “on track” for the Palmer area graduates. It’s refreshing to have all this activity but let’s be safe and courteous.

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