Palmer Museum and Visitor Center July 8th, 2014

Categories: Around Palmer, History

Palmer Museum and Visitor Center Contact Info:
723 S. Valley Way, Palmer, AK 99645
907-746-7668
Summer Hours (May 1 – Sept. 30):
Sunday through Saturday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Giant Cabbage Sculpture

Giant Cabbage Sculpture

Smorgasbord: a type of Scandinavian meal served buffet style with a mixture of many different dishes.
Palmer Visitor Center: A smorgasbord of information.

There is literally a buffet of information at the Visitor Center. If you need to know which company to contact to book a fishing charter, find a good place to eat in Palmer, or even just wonder about the history of our good city, this is the place to go. But if you can’t actually visit the Center, you can still get the answers you are looking for. Museum Director Selena Ortega-Chiolero says the Visitor Center receives approximately 100 emails a week with questions about visiting the MatSu Valley. The staff at the Visitor Center personally respond to all of these emails, sending an information packet with specific information regarding the questions and general information about Palmer.

“It’s our job not just to promote our organization, but to promote Palmer.” Selena says. One of their goals is to share the history of Palmer in a visual way. Besides preserving the past, this also means recognizing that history is being created every day. As art is a reflection of our culture, the Museum supports local artists by displaying their work and purchasing one local art piece each year. You can also buy pieces from the gift shop.

How does your garden grow?

How does your garden grow?

Selena says the number one thing visitors ask to see is “the giant vegetables”. And thanks to the efforts of the Head Gardener (and Assistants), you need go no further than the Museum’s own backyard. This is a truly spectacular showcase garden, with a dizzying array of plants, vegetables, flowers, and bushes. (Everything is helpfully labeled for those of us who are not botanists.) All of the edibles in the garden are donated to the senior center.

New Smithsonian "American Food" Exhibit

New Smithsonian “American Food” Exhibit

Currently, the Museum is proud to display the Smithsonian Institute’s Museums on Main Street “Key Ingredients: America By Food” exhibit. There are only four Museums in the state that were selected to host these exhibits this year. This theme ties in with the Museum’s efforts to promote agriculture and local farmers. In fact, the Museum is hosting a Community Potluck on July 19th from 12-4pm at Spring Creek Farm. (That’s 6402 Lossing Road.) This event is free, and it is a great opportunity to learn about local farming.

For more information about the Visitor Center, visit their website.

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NonEssentials July 3rd, 2014

Categories: Businesses

NonEssentials Contact Info:
728 S Alaska St,
(907) 745-2258
Hours:
Mon – Sat: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sun: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Non-essentials1

Non-essentials1

“There is nothing in this store that you truly need.” Owner Denise Statz declared. At first, this might not sound like a good marketing strategy, but it has worked well for NonEssentials for 28 years. Twelve of those have been in Palmer—before that the store moved from Dillingham to Kodiak to Nome. Apparently everyone likes to buy things they don’t truly need. (It’s nice to know you aren’t the only one.)

For Denise, this store is an effort of love. She strives for great products, good relationships with the community, and seeks a way to supplement her family. She has a resilient entrepreneurial spirit, which she is passing on to the next generation—part of owning the store is giving her kids an opportunity to be involved and learn about business.

NonEssentials2

NonEssentials2

So what sort of things qualify as “nonessential”? The store particularly focuses on specialty food. “Specialty” means food you can’t get at ordinary grocery stores. There are vats of specialty cooking oils, fancy baking mixes, assorted dried goods, a wide selection of chocolate, Alaskan condiments, exotic spices, even brightly colored dishes. But it doesn’t stop there. The store also sells local artists’ work, (more support of entrepreneurship!) and an assortment of little luxuries like lotions, candles, greeting cards, and scarves. (Major shopping hint: This is the perfect place to go if you need to buy someone a gift, and can’t think of anything to get them.)

NonEssentials

NonEssentials

Things I did not strictly need, but wanted:
Garlic Zoom, the rolling garlic chopper
Sunny Seeds, chocolate covered sunflower seeds (turns out I actually did need these)
Black “Squid Ink” noodles

Denise said she wanted to create a market for things that add enjoyment to people’s lives. Mission successful. This store delights even a casual peruser. For more information, visit the Nonessentials Facebook page

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Who Let the Girls Out v.4.0 April 21st, 2014

Categories: Events

It’s that time again! Spring is arriving quickly and we’re all ready to get out and enjoy it! Who Let the Girls Out (WLTGO) is this weekend! Loads of contests, special guests, activities and more for women of all ages. There will even be a “mobile mammography” truck!

Highlights of WLTGO include:
Friday:

  • Women’s 5k Fun Run/Walk on Friday, 6:30pm – late registration/bib pickup
    at the Eagle Hotel, 4-6pm
  • Cantora Arctica Spring Concert at St. John’s Lutheran Church after the 5k
  • Learn how to make delicious rolls and pizza at NonEssentials after the 5k
  • Saturday:

  • Flea Market on Wheels starting at 8am on S Alaska St.
  • Professional Women’s Clothing Exchange at the Palmer Moose Lodge, 11-5
  • Mobile Mammography by Providence Imaging – must call to schedule an appointment before April 25th. (907)212-3151
  • Purse Auction to benefit MyHouse at The Palmer Bar, 7pm.
  • Seed Exchange at Palmer Museum of History 11-1pm, plus a visiting agronomist to answer questions about gardening and invasive species
  • Personal Safety and the Well-Armed Woman – at Midnight Sun Yoga Center, 11am
  • Oula – Exciting and Easy dance exercise with Annie Prevost – at Midnight Sun Yoga Center, 1pm.
  • LIVE MUSIC! at Vagabond Blues, 2pm-8pm
  • And much, much more! Check out the insert in Make-a-Scene magazine at numerous downtown Palmer businesses. Or view the online version here. It might take a little while to load. The WLTGO Facebook page is also very active with daily updates about the fun events this weekend!

    Written by Tamara Van Diest

    Palmer Alaska’s Colony Christmas 2013 December 13th, 2013

    Categories: Events, Seasons

    Downtown Palmer Alaska

    Downtown Palmer Alaska

    It’s colony Christmas time again. Don’t miss all the events. Here is the schedule for this weekend.

    We will be handing out hot chocolate for the kiddies and coffee for the adults in front of our office on Alaska street so stop by and say hi!

    There is the smoosh race, parade of lights, cookie contest and lots more. Here is a previous post we have on Colony Christmas including a good photo of a smoosh race…Colony Christmas 2011

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    Amber Lanphier of Studio Ardent October 18th, 2013

    Categories: Businesses, Palmer People

    Amber Lanphier

    Amber Lanphier

    When I think of professional photographers I think stuffy and formal.

    I recently had my mind changed for me by an amazing photographer. Amber Lanphier of Studio Ardent has impressed me with her personal, easygoing style. She has an amazing ability to capture her clients in their natural environment.

    Much

    Much

    Better

    Better

    I was not pleased with my children’s school yearbook photos, so I hired Amber. I was hoping she could capture my kids at their best. She let them be themselves and only required that they be happy. The photo shoot was a success.
     
     
     

    As the owner of her own studio she runs things the way she wants. No cookie-cutter photos from this gal. She has many trade secrets that bring out the best in her clients. We won’t divulge them here, but if you want someone who thinks outside-the-box to immortalize the unique “you”, she is the one!

    Natural

    Natural

    At Your Best

    At Your Best

     
     
     

    What a great weekend to tell you about Amber Lanphier. She is having a grand opening at her new studio Saturday 7-9pm and a Christmas Card Mini Special Sunday, book your spot today! www.Studioardent.com www.facebook.com/StudioArdent or Call 907-315-5044

    Grand Opening

    Grand Opening

    Christmas Mini

    Christmas Mini

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

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