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“Four score and seven years ago...”November marks the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg

Address. Fireside Books will be celebrating Saturday, November 23 with trivial contests, civil war costume

contests, and recitation contests. Start memorizing now!

The Art of IceContributed by

Carmen Summerfield

Colony Christmas is an old fashioned three-day celebration of Christmaas past and present in Palmer that features horse-drawn sleigh rides, reindeer, gingerbread houses, and holiday carolers. As part of the celebration, on Saturday, December 14, 2013 the Valley Arts Alliance will be producing their 6th Annual Ice Castles on the Green!

Ice Castles on the Green consists of

unique winter ice sculptures created by some of the Valley’s best artists. Our sculptures will be constructed behind the Dahlia Street Market on the Palmer Green, the area in Palmer also known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market.

The Dahlia Street Market was built in the mid-1930’s as the colony’s Trading Post and Post Office. Palmer’s Mayor DeLena Johnson and her husband Steve purchased the abandoned building a few years ago and

> CONTINUES ON PAGE 24

Colony Christmas 2013

CHEF CAROLNew OfferiNgs with guest:

Back door breakfast 7am Tuesdays thru Friday. Speedy breakfast, pastries and

coffee to grab before work or play.

Quick new lunches ready and waiting

Tuesdays Wine Flights and small plates 3-6pm

Visiting Chefs Daily specials

Sunday Brunch with mimosas 9am-2pm November 17th and 24th, December

1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th.

tues-fri 7:00AM-5PM 320 e Dahlia Ave, Palmer

www.rustysatdahliastreet.com

Next Door to the Borough Building and Behind the

Palmer Library

saturday 7:00AM-8PM

Christmas Open House at Raven HallThe Fair plans to host a Christmas Open House at Raven Hall on Sunday, December 15 from 1 – 4 p.m.

This will be a family-friendly event open to everyone in the community. Hobo Jim and Ken Peltier will co-host the event, which will feature

Christmas-inspired music and special guests, including Santa Claus and his reindeer and elves!

We’ll also have refreshments, photo opportunities with our spectacular holiday lighting as a backdrop, buggy/sleigh rides around the fairgrounds (weather permitting), special children’s activities and more.

> Watch our website, alaskastatefair.org, for more information in early December.

Happy Holidays!

Lockhart & ErskineHoliday Garden

Fine Personal &Household Furnishings

Antique, Mid-Century,Vintage, One-of-a-Kind

Designer ClothingPurses, Scarves, JewelryPartyware & Partywear

Gifts, Furniture& Much, Much More!

Tuesday thru Sunday12-6907-240-8116

EASTLAKE MALLBIG LAKE www.indianvalleymeats.com

907-745-CAFE(745-2233)

LOCAL ARTWORK ON DISPLAY

642 S. Alaska StreetDowntown Palmer

Open Mon-Sat 6am-8pmSun 7am-6pm

Homemade SoupsQuiche l Wraps l Paninis

Fresh Green Salads l SandwichesBaked Goods l Gluten Free Option

Vegan Option l Espresso Smoothies l Free Wi-Fi Internet

Facepainting at Eagle Hotel brought to you by Church on The RockThe Palmer Church on the Rock is offering free face-painting and balloon animals on December 14, 2013 from noon to 4pm at the Eagle Hotel for the Palmer Colony Christmas.

We provided both of these booths at the Colony Days Event and it was great fun!

$100 Paintings for Under $100Valley Fine Arts Association Presents 100 Paintings for under $100 during Colony Christmas Dec. 13-14 at Madd Matters Gallery. All paintings areoriginal works done by local artists. Bring the kids for some artistic fun!

VFAA is a non-profit group in which members encourage fellow artists through workshops, demonstrations, paint-togethers, and art shows. Weencourage new members to join us whether seasoned or just beginning.

> Check out our website valleyfineartassociation.org for all pertinent information.

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Cookie Decorating Workshop at Cover UpsAre there visions of sugarplums dancing in your little one’s head?

If so, change the sugar plums to freshly baked sugar cookies with icing and join the crew at Cover Ups on Saturday, December 14th, from 11 am to 4 pm, for the annual Colony Christmas Cookie Decorating Activity.

Teresa Roy, owner , began the popular, free event for the younger crowd four years ago as a way to say “Thank You” to the community and to engage children in creating an instantly gratifying creation of their own to enjoy.

The location at 840 S Colony Way is also an excellent warm up station and visual treat. It should smell authentically wonderful as well. Approximately 300 sugar cookies, one per participant, were colorfully and artistically created last year.

> With all the fun in the nearby area, it is with hope that this year will exceed all our wishes.

restored it to glory. Now it hosts Palmer’s famous restaurant “Rusty’s” (where everyone is invited in for a “warm up” on Saturday afternoon during the Ice Castles on the Green).

Our centerpiece this year will be an ice sculpture based on the glass pyramids at the Louvre in Paris. We have other remarkable ice sculptures lined up, but we’re always looking for other talented artists to help us create unique ice sculptures at Ice Castles on the Green! So bring your own ice, in any shape or form, and help us build!

Most of the ice sculpting will occur from 2 to 4pm, but visit us any time and watch the ice sculptures take shape! At 4pm we’ll have a drawing for an “artsy” prize. Tickets are FREE, and will be distributed throughout the day. And at 4:30, the Mat-Su Community Chorus will be caroling in the midst of our ice sculptures.

> So join us (and join in) on December 14 as we create another wonderful Ice Castles on the Green!

> ART OF ICE CONTINUED

Colony Christmas 2013Visit CoverUps

Friday 12/6, from 6-8 pm:

Mixer: Meet and Greet & Client Appreciation, hors d’oeuvres and in- shop sales with new up-cycled

design pieces for preview. Meet Charity of Alaska Chicks Co,

Faith of The Vintage Poppy, Laura of Love Nugget Designs,

Dale from The Upholstery Gallery, and our newest addition, Ginger of Ginger’s Junk.

Saturday 12/14, 11-4 pm: All children are invited to partake

in the 4th annual Sugar Cookie Decorating Workshop, a free activity in conjunction with

Colony Christmas.

907-746-4739 M-SAT 10:30-6PM

FOR TWO UPCOMING EVENTSDecember 6th & 14th

United Way of Mat-Su brings you the

2013 Holiday Ball

LIVE MUSIC BY:THE CONNECTION

Come join us for a night filled with dancing,

hors d’oeuvres, desserts, “It’s In the Bag” Silent

Auction & fun!

December 13th, 20138:00 pm - Midnight

Raven Hall (State Fairgrounds)

Palmer, AK

Tickets are $50 per person$350 for a table of 8.

Get Your Ticket TODAY at:unitedwaymatsu.org

Cookie Decorating Workshop at Cover UpsAre there visions of sugarplums dancing in your little one’s head?

If so, change the sugar plums to freshly baked sugar cookies with icing and join the crew at Cover Ups on Saturday, December 14th, from 11 am to 4 pm, for the annual Colony Christmas Cookie Decorating Activity.

Teresa Roy, owner , began the popular, free event for the younger crowd four years ago as a way to say “Thank You” to the community and to engage children in creating an instantly gratifying creation of their own to enjoy.

The location at 840 S Colony Way is also an excellent warm up station and visual treat. It should smell authentically wonderful as well. Approximately 300 sugar cookies, one per participant, were colorfully and artistically created last year.

> With all the fun in the nearby area, it is with hope that this year will exceed all our wishes.

ENJOY FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE TO MANY EVENTS

ON SATURDAY FROM 11 AM – 4 PM COURTESY OF MAT-SU SENIOR

SERVICES AND PIONEER EQUIPMENT

> Thursday, Dec. 12 <10 am-6 pm “Light Up A Life”

Hospice Tree Koslosky’s Center - 642 S Alaska Street

> Friday, Dec. 13 <All Day View the Community

Christmas Tree Sponsored by Matanuska Valley Federal

Credit Union East end of Evergreen Ave at the Library

10 am – 6 pm Gingerbread Houses

Sponsored by Alaska USA FCUPioneer Home, 250 E Fireweed Various Downtown Businesses

Look for a list at the Pioneer home

10 am – 6 pm “Light Up A Life” Hospice Tree

Koslosky’s Center - 642 S Alaska Street

11 am – 7 pm Christmas Bazaar Downtown Palmer Plaza

Noon – 7 pm Arts & Craft Fair Sponsored by The Greatlander

Palmer Depot

6 pm – 8 pm “Twas the Night Before Colony Christmas”

Reception & Wine Tasting Palmer Museum of History & Art, 723 S

Valley Way

7 pm Annual Service of Remembrance Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Chapel

209 S. Alaska St

7 pm The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Lazy Mountain Bible Church 16005 E. Shawn Dr.

8 pm – Midnight Holiday Ball Benefiting United Way of Mat-Su

Raven Hall - Alaska State Fairgrounds, Glenn Highway

> Saturday, Dec. 14 <All Day View the Community

Christmas Tree Sponsored by MVFCU

At the Library

9 am – 11 am Lions Club Pancake Breakfast

Salvation Army, 209 W Evergreen Avenue

10 am – 3 pm Festival of Trees Drawings held at 2 pm

Benefits the Special Santa Program Sponsored by Ohana Media Group

Palmer Depot

10 am – 4 pm Craft Bazaar Mat-Su Seniors Services (Palmer Sr. Ctr),

1132 S Chugach St

10 am – 4 pm Palmer Museum of History and Art Open

723 S Valley Way

10 am – 4 pm Kids Activity Events & Warm-Up Station

Frost a Christmas Cookie Cover-Ups, 840 S Colony Way

10 am – 4:45 pm Information Booth Palmer Depot

10 am – 5 pm Cookies, Cider, Movies & Cartoons

Palmer Museum of History & Art

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Colony Christmas 2013

> Saturday, Dec. 14 <10 am – 6 pm Gingerbread Houses

Sponsored by Alaska USA FCUPioneer Home, 250 E Fireweed Avenue

10 am – 6 pm Colony House Museum Open House

Presented by the Palmer Historical Society

10 am – 6 pm Snow Bike Demo – Free Half-Hour Test Rides All-Day Store Sale

Backcountry Bike & Ski, 132 W Arctic Ave

10 am – 7 pm Arts & Craft Fair Sponsored by The Greatlander

Palmer Depot 10 am – 7 pm Arts & Crafts Fair

Borough Gym, 350 E Dahlia Avenue

10 am – 7 pm Information Booth Borough Gym Foyer, 350 E Dahlia Ave

10 am – 7 pm “Light Up A Life” Hospice Tree Koslosky’s Center - 642 S Alaska Street

11 am – 2 pm Cookie Contest Sponsored by MEA

Eagle Hotel, 918 S. Colony Way

11 am – 2 pm Warming Station Free Hot Chocolate & Kids Movies

Presented by Greg & Sherri Shepard – Jack White Real Estate

Palmer Library, 655 S Valley Way

11 am – 3 pm Kids Puck Shoot with Prizes Hot Chocolate, Popcorn, Extra Parking

NAPA, 217 E Arctic Ave

11 am – 3 pm Denali Destroyer Dolls Holiday Hair

Downtown Palmer Plaza – 550 S Alaska St

11 am – 3 pm Photos with Santa Sponsored by IBEW Local 1547

Downtown Palmer Plaza Deli – 550 S Alaska St

11 am – 3 pm FREE kids T-Shirt Coloring Silvertip Design, 421 S. Alaska St.

11 am – 4 pm Alaska Sound Celebration Christmas Caroling around Palmer

\11 am – 4 pm Learn About Mushing & Meet the Dogs

Presented by Northern Lights Adventures Palmer Museum of History & Art

723 S Valley Way

11 am – 4 pm Make a FREE Fused Glass Ornament or Suncatcher

Presented by Half Moon Creek 439 W. Elmwood Ave

11 am – 4 pm Free Pony Wheel Rides Sponsored by Capstone Family Medicine, Eye

Clinic and Urgent Care Friday Fling parking lot across

from the Palmer Museum

11 am – 4 pm Bike-Themed Sleigh Photo Station

Backcountry Bike & Ski, 132 W Arctic Ave

11 am – 7 pm Nativity Displays LDS Church - 560 W Arctic Ave

11 am – 7 pm Christmas Bazaar Downtown Palmer Plaza

Noon – 3 pm Build Your Own Marshmallow Snowman & Free Hot Chocolate

Sponsored by Mat-Su Regional Medical Center Eagle Hotel, 918 S. Colony Way

Noon – 3 pm Free Kids Games Presented by CCS Early Learning

Palmer Depot – Outside

Noon – 4 pm Free Kids Face Painting & Balloon Animals

Presented by Church on the Rock Eagle Hotel, 918 S. Colony Way

Noon – 4 pm Snow Machine Sled Rides Presented by Alaska Backcountry

Adventure Tours Open area next to Colony Inn

Noon – 4 pm Free Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides Sponsored by Usibelli Coal Mine

Pavilion across from Palmer Museum

12:30 pm – 1 pm Alaska Sound Celebration Concert

Pioneer Home, 250 E Fireweed Avenue

1 pm – 4 pm Reindeer Farm, petting, feeding and photos

Sponsored by Wells Fargo Wells Fargo Parking Lot, S Alaska St

1 pm – 4 pm Chain Saw Artistry Demonstration Chickadees, 175 W Arctic Ave

2 pm – 4 pm Color & Take Home a FREE Alaskan Ornament

NuKreationz, 735 S. Bailey St.

2 pm – 4 pm “Ice Castles on the Green” Ice Sculpture Carving

Free Prize Drawing at 4 pm Presented by Valley Arts Alliance

Right behind Rusty’s, 320 E Dahlia Street in the Historic District

2 pm – 6 pm Meet & Greet Renowned Artist Gail Niebrugge

The Gallery, 1150 S Colony Way (in the Key Bank Plaza)

2:30 pm Youth Mitten Money Scramble Presented by CCS Early Learning

Palmer Depot – Outside

2:30 pm – 4 pm Smoosh Race Sponsored by Mat-Su Regional Medical Center

742 S Alaska St. (in front of the Depot)

4 pm – 8 pm Free Parking, Chili Feed, Hot Beverages, Cookies

Children’s Crafts &Student Art Show Alaska Bible College, 248 E Elmwood Ave

4:30 pm and 6 pm Mat-Su Community Chorus will perform near the Ice Sculptures

Right behind Rusty’s, 320 E Dahlia Street in the Historic District

5 pm Parade of Lights, Sponsored by MTA Downtown Palmer

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Local Entertainer Diana Z plus Belly Dance Showcase at 6 pm

FREE treats, Midnight Sun Yoga Center 832 S. Colony Way

6:30 pm FIREWORKS Extravaganza Sponsored by BP

Library Parking Lot

> Sunday, December 15 < All Day View the Community Christmas Tree

Sponsored by MVFCUEast end of Evergreen Ave at the Library

9 am – 10:30 am Triathlon Registration Sponsored by Mat-Su Health Foundation

Presented by The Alaska Club 12051 E Palmer Wasilla Highway

10 am – 2 pm Palmer Museum of History and Art 723 S Valley Way

10 am – 6 pm “Light Up A Life” Hospice Tree Koslosky’s Center, 642 S Alaska Street

11 am Triathlon Race Starts Sponsored by Mat-Su Health Foundation

Presented by The Alaska Club 12051 E Palmer Wasilla Highway

Noon – 8 pm Palmer Pioneer Hockey Steak Feed

Moose Lodge, 1136 S Cobb Street, Tickets $15 available at door.

1 pm – 4 pm Christmas Open House At Raven Hall

Presented by The Alaska State Fair Alaska State Fairgrounds

2 pm – 7 pm Nativity Display LDS Church - 560 W Arctic Ave

Schedule of Events Every thing you need is available at...

Fabulous Oils

Mountains of CheeseDowntown Palmer 745-2258

OPEN Mon-Sat 10:00am-6:00pm

GREAT ADD-ONS FOR

GATHERINGS, CELEBRATIONS AND FESTIVITIES

CZAR of GUITARS' Annual Food DriveCZAR of GUITARS, 105 E Arctic Avenue in downtown Palmer, is hosting its annual food drive for the Mat-Su Food Bank. The event is from November 15 to December 14. Donations should be dropped off at CZAR of GUITARS on Wednesdays or Thursdays from 12 - 7 pm and Fridays or Saturdays from 12 - 5 pm. Donate three or more nonperishable food items and receive a free set of DR Guitar Strings. *Limited quantities. > All food donated will be distributed in the Mat-Su Valley. "Because no one should go hungry." Call CZAR of GUITARS at 907-745-5550 907-745-5550

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Inside the Downtown Palmer Plaza 550 S. Alaska St., Palmer, STE 110

CZAR of GUITARS 105 E Arctic Ave

Palmer, AK 99645

907-745-5550

Hours Wed. & Thu. 12-7pm

Fri. & Sat. 12-5pm

CZAR of GUITARS’ Food Drive

“Because no one should go hungry”

November 15 - December 14

Enjoy the season!

WITH TWO LOCATIONS!

WASILLA 357-2300 | PALMER 746-32662300 E. PARKS HWY PALMER-WASILLA HWY

DINE IN

TAKE OUT

DELIVERY

DINE IN

TAKE OUT

DELIVERY