RIM COUNTRY COMMUNITY BRIEFS

(Compiled by the staff of the Mogollon Connection)

Friday, May 21

· “Fundamentals of Weight Loss & Good Health” presented by organic chemist Dee McCaffrey, all day at the East West Exchange Bookstore/Event Center at 100 N. Tonto Street, Suite 102. McCaffrey discovered a link between certain processed foods and obesity when she was in college. She has maintained a 100-pound weight loss for over 17 years and now teaches others how to cook, buy, and eat healthy foods through group classes and individual nutritional counseling. For more information, contact Lisa Semrau at 468-2435.

· “Famous Fish Fry” at the American Legion Tonto Rim Post #69 every Friday from noon to 8 p.m., 709 E. Highway 260. Karaoke from 6 to 10 p.m. Public welcome.

· Beginning Genealogy Class every third Friday of the month from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Genealogy Library, 302 E. Bonita Street. The class is packed full of concepts, techniques and ideas which will get you started on your way to fulfilling a lifetime of tracing your family tree. Pre-registration and payment of fee is required. $5 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Evening classes can be conducted by appointment. For more information, contact Peggy Gray, 474-5015.

Saturday, May 22

· Third Annual Waterwise seminar from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Gila Community College, 201 N. Mud Springs Road, Room 301. Guest speakers include Chris Jones from UA, Dr. Jim Riley from UA, and Marty deMasai from Payson. Xeriscape principles will be discussed at the free educational seminar. Charlie’s brats and Scoops ice cream will be served for a nominal fee. Raffle tickets for a wooden porch swing made by the Payson High School woodworking class under the direction of Richard Alvarez will be available.

· Plan-D Workshop is an all day event at the East West Exchange Bookstore/Event Center, 100 N. Tonto Street, Suite 102. Presenter Dee McCaffrey will provide a comprehensive plan that has helped countless people lose weight and gain health. Registration fee is $125 per person. For more information, contact Lisa Semrau, 468-2435.

· Northern Gila County Historical Society Annual Banquet will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Chaparral Pines Golf Club. The event will commemorate the Dude Fire firefighters. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased at the Northern Gila County Museum. There will be raffles and door prizes.

· Childbirth Class – Family Birthing Center will hold class from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $15 per couple (patient and couch) and lunch is included. To sign up, call the OB Department, 472-1226.

Sunday, May 23

Monday, May 24

· Grief Support Group every first and third Monday of the month from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Hospice House, 511 S. Mud Springs Road. The free drop-in group sessions are for those who have experienced the death of a loved one. For more information, contact Jean Ramsey, 472-6340.

Tuesday, May 25

· Wildlife Rescue seminar presented by Wonders of the Wild and the Humane Society of Central Arizona at 2 p.m. at the Payson Public Library. If you are interested in becoming a wildlife volunteer, attend this special seminar to: find out if you have what it takes to rehabilitate injured or orphaned animals; learn how to immediately care for something that’s been left on your doorstep and how to contact a local rehabilitator; hear about volunteer opportunities at the shelter and with an experienced wildlife rescue rehabilitator. Diane Reid, the shelter’s Capital Campaign Chairwoman will be sharing plans for the Humane Society’s new building project. Mitzi Brabb, a state licensed wildlife rehabber with more than fifteen years of experience will present a slide show about wildlife care and give hands-on pointers with live animals. For more information, call Mitzi, 478-4803.

· Rim Country Toastmasters meet every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Mogollon Health Alliance Auxiliary building next to the Almost New Shop at 304 E. Aero Drive. Networking at 5:30 p.m. The 60-minute meeting begins at 5:45 p.m. Find or refine your voice with us. Learn to persuade and inspire your audience, organize your speech, use vocal variety and overcome fear at the podium. For more information, contact, (928) 478-8820 or RimcountryTM@gmail.com.

Wednesday, May 26

· Pre-school Story Time, every Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. in the Pine Public Library.
· Puppet Story Time, every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Payson Public Library.

Thursday, May 27

· Tikes & Toddlers Story Time every Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Payson Public Library Meeting Room.

· “Dinner Specials” every Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Greater Payson Moose Lodge #258, 225903 E. Highway 260 in Star Valley. Specials include fried and baked fish, breaded shrimp or chicken along with vegetables, dinner salad, bread and choice of potato. $7 per person. Members and guests welcome.

Upcoming Events

· Hellsgate Fire Department Auxiliary “Fireflies” breakfast and rummage sale will be held from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 29 at Fire Station #22 in Tonto Village, 151 Mathew Lane, one mile down Control Road from Highway 260. Serving sausage, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee. Adults, $5 and children 10 years and under, $3. Chorizo burros, $2.

· Chamber Mixer on Thursday, May 27 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 904 N. Beeline Highway. Featuring ‘From Head to Toe Essentials.’ Adult refreshments, Kiwanis brats, art show, tours of new salon space, raffles and 50/50 drawing. Cost is $3 for chamber members; $5 for all others. Proceeds to benefit the Kiwanis Scholarship fund. RSVP to the chamber, 474-4515.

· Payson Farmer’s Market opens on Saturday, May 29 from 8 a.m. to noon in front of the Sawmill Theatre, 816 S. Beeline Highway. Arizona grown produce and artisan foods of all kinds. You can also meet an herbalist, get a back and shoulder massage or relax with friends and listen to live music while you enjoy a cup of coffee and fresh baked treats. For more information, contact Lorian Roethlein at (928) 468-0961 or www.PaysonFarmersMarket.info.

· Pine Strawberry Arts & Crafts Show will be held on Saturday, May 29 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 30 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pine Community Center in Pine. Free admission. For more information, contact Gail Jones, (928) 978-0469.

· Mountain High Days Arts & Crafts will be held on Saturday, May 29 and Sunday, May 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday, May 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gila County Court House on the corner of the Beeline Highway and Frontier Street. There will be arts, crafts, merchandise, music and food. Free admission. For more information, contact Dean W. Schlosser, (928) 595-4397.

· Fourth Annual Memorial Weekend Poker Run and Flag Service sponsored by the Vietnam/Legacy Vets Mountain Chapter will be held on Sunday, May 30 and Monday, May 31. The 14-stop Poker Run will have four sign-in locations from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday at Jake’s Corner, Creekside Restaurant in Christopher Creek, Chalet Bar in Strawberry and Buffalo Bar & Grill in Payson. The last stop will be at the Spur Bar in Star Valley by 6 p.m. There will be raffle items, a 50/50 drawing, food, vendors and music by the John Scott Band. The Flag Service will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday at the Mazatzal Hotel & Casino. There will be a ride at 10 a.m. to the War Memorial at Green Valley Park with a police escort. After flag services to honor and remember fallen soldiers, riders will meet at the Spur Bar in Star Valley for food, vendors and live music by Halos and Horns. For more information, contact Girth at (928) 600-5950 or girthlvmc@yahoo.com.