Community connection through holiday bazaars

The only reason I attended the 2024 Colony High Christmas Bazaar was to purchase the most recent Tundra comic book. I had tried in August at the Alaska State Fair, but at the Tundra booth, Chad Carpenter told me they weren't back from the printers yet. So, when I learned that Tundra would be one of the vendors at that bazaar, I circled the date on my calendar.

As I drove to the school shortly before the 10 o'clock opening time, the sun was peeking out to the left of Pioneer Peak in all its majestic glory. Disappointed to learn from the young parking attendants that the parking lot was already full, I was directed to park at the Mormon church across Bogard Road. Which was fine, except for the longer walk at 7º and bitter cold winds.

Once inside, I took a minute to let my glasses and my whole self defrost before deciding to start my search for the Tundra booth in the cafeteria. Immediately I ran into my first of many friends, a woman I know from Valley Garden Club. She told me she arrived early especially for good parking. She also said she'd seen the Tundra booth in the gym.

I had only attended the Christmas Bazaar once since my husband and I moved back to Palmer in 2011. I don't do a lot of Christmas shopping, and I don't like crowded spaces. I planned for this to be a quick grab and exit errand, but then I noticed "handwriting" near the ceiling on a nearby wall. It was signed by the class of 2022. Wondering if there was a quote for every year, I wandered back the way I'd come and found "First Class" as the quote for my son's class of 1994 and "Reach for the Stars" for my daughter's class of 1997. Colony High opened in 1992 with freshmen and sophomores, so 1994 was the first year they had a graduating class. Just being in the school brought back so many memories.

I left the cafeteria and decided to check out the hallways before entering the gym. Soon, I found myself looking at the contents of each booth-so many lovely, quality crafts. I ran into more friends, but we didn't visit long, as we were all "on a mission." At one booth, a music booster mom called out, "Pioneer Pizza $5 a slice. Help send our marching band to Ireland for the St. Paddy's Day Parade!" The sign said that Pioneer Pizza was established in 1990, and my mind went back to their grand opening celebration.

A vendor lady complimented my hat...which I forgot I was wearing. I'd grabbed my green felt bowler hat on the way out the door to keep my hair in place in the wind. Years ago, I'd attached a salmon pin made of ivory that used to belong to my mother, and I enjoy compliments every time I wear it.

There were so many hallways...I turned one corner expecting to be back at the main hallway, only to realize that I was lost and had to ask directions to the gym.

There were so many interesting things for sale, including Christmas stockings made from old quilts. Ideas that I would like to pursue...if I had another lifetime. And food goods, too. I saw a crowd around one table and learned the husband-and-wife couple were offering samples of salsa: mild, medium, hot, and melt your face off. I tried the medium and it was delicious. I then tried the hot and it was wonderful, too. $16 a pint, or $15 if you purchase two. The two of them could hardly keep up with the sales. I went back to talk to them later and learned they flew over from Kodiak and this was their first craft fair on the mainland. And yes, they grew their own peppers, but couldn't grow enough to keep up with demand.

Finally, I entered the gym and there was the Tundra booth first space on the left. However, I was disappointed to learn that Chad was not present. He had autographed all the books, but there would be no custom autograph for my granddaughter. Our family has been buying and following his career success since he first began in the early 1990s. It became a tradition and my daughter's family now has the whole collection of his comic books.

Since I'd checked out all the other booths, I needed to browse all the booths in the gym. This is when memories really hit me. I was a Mary Kay consultant when the first Colony High Christmas Bazaar took place and rented table space for my Mary Kay display products. The next year, I shared my rental space with my daughter's cloth creations. I recalled the placement of our booth in the gym 30 years prior.

There were baked goods, macaroons, fudge, pickled items, jams and jellies. During our bed and breakfast years in Slana, I made and sold jam, including a gift set in a handmade wooden crate for $15. Now, I saw a similar item for $25! And the same size jars I sold were now twice my price. What a difference 20 years makes. Another vendor complimented my hat and pin. I was keeping track now, and that was number four.

I'd already spent way more time at the bazaar than planned but found I was enjoying the experience. I even decided to support the marching band and buy a slice of pizza. But I had to wait for that, as they had run out and were expecting another delivery in 8 minutes...so I wandered some more. Once I got the pizza, I sat on a chair in the gym near the Tundra booth and people watched while I savored each bite. A young couple went by with twins in their stroller, and the father held a wooden rocking horse in each hand. The nearby quilting machine lady laughingly made a comment and the father said with a smile, "Yes, we have to buy two of everything these days."

Upon leaving, I stopped at the entrance doors to zip my coat before braving the bitter wind. This time a man said he liked the fish on my hat. What had been an errand to buy one Christmas gift, turned into an enjoyable couple of hours in a festive atmosphere...with good memories mixed in as well.

Maraley McMichael is a lifelong Alaskan now residing in Palmer. Email her at maraleymcmichael@gmail.com.