RIM COUNTRY COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Saturday, June 12
Red Rose Day

Fourth Annual Payson Sprint Triathlon at Rumsey Park at 7 a.m. The adult division is for anyone over 15 years of age and will consist of a 500-yard swim, 15-mile bike ride and 5K run. The youth division is for youth 7 to 14 years of age and will consist of a 200-yard swim, 3-mile bike ride and 1 1/2 mile run. Enter as a team or an individual. Pre-register by May 29 and the cost for adults is $50 individual or $75 team; the cost for youth is $15 individual or $30 team. An additional $10 will be charged for all registrations received after the pre-registration deadline. Download a race registration form at www.PaysonParks.com or call the Payson Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department, 474-5242 x7.

Mogollon Garden Tours in Payson and Star Valley from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Brochures are available at the Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the Chamber, Payson Library, Pine Library, Ace Hardware, Plant Fair Nursery and Payson Jewelers. The tour is a fundraiser for community projects. Contact Diane Arnold, 474-4742 for more information.

Payson Farmers Market 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.

Explore Travel Writing and Photography workshop sponsored by Arizona Press Woman, Rim Country District. Learn how to support your wanderlust at the Community Presbyterian Church, 800 W. Main Street from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The one-day workshop features award-winning writers and editors experienced in writing for, and selling photographs to, regional and national publications. If you've dreamed of being paid to travel, allow our speakers and panelists to be your tour guides for the day. $35 per person or $30 early bird registration prior to June 8. Light lunch included. Register by phone, then send a check; at the door via check or cash; or by credit card. To register online, go to: http://www.az-rim-apw.org. Checks should be made payable to APW and sent to Gail Hearne, APW Treasurer 1420 N. Sunrise Court, Payson, AZ 85541. Mailed payments must include the names and phone numbers of participants. For further information, contact Carol Brown, 468-9269.

"Take A Walk In Pine" Shop Hop from 4 to 7 p.m., Highway 87 in Pine. Local merchants will offer shopping bargains, food and entertainment. Visit participating merchants with the "Pine" tree in front of their business.

Free concert at Green Valley Park. Concessions start at 6 p.m. and the “Gone Country” band will play from 7 to 9 p.m.

Sunday, June 13
Sewing Machine Day

Payson Center for Spiritual Awareness Sunday Celebration at 11 a.m., 107 W. Wade Lane, Suite 2.

Guitar Sensation Johnny Carrasco will perform with Sherry Petta, piano vocalist, Dave Grale, upright acoustic bass and Gerry Reynolds, drums at 2 p.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church, 800 West Main Street. Carrasco’s professional experience spans more than 30 years. He has worked with many artists, most notably Billy Davis, Marylyn McCoo, Rick James, Cindy Lauper, Tito Puente Jr., Tony Tillman and comedians Bill Cosby, David Brenner and Rip Taylor. Now in Phoenix, Carrasco performs with the Reeds (Margo, Francine and Michael), Freddy Duran, Mark Dolan and most recently, Sherry Petta, L.A. Music Awards Jazz Artist of the Year. Petta will sing a number of tunes from her latest CD, "Endlessly." The performance is open to the public and is sponsored by the Payson Friends of Jazz and the church. Donations accepted. To reserve advance seating, contact Gerry Reynolds at gerryr@cox.net or call, 602-619-3355.

Acoustic Jam every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at East West Exchange Books, Gifts & Practices, 100 N. Tonto Street, Suite 102. Join us for two hours of music-making! We gather in a circle and take turns sharing any song you'd like to do. Feel free to bring song sheets so others can follow along, or we'll just pick it up as we go. If you don't play an instrument but like to sing, come on down and we'll do our best to accompany you. The emphasis is socializing, connecting, making music, and having fun! No charge. Call for more information, 468-2435.

Jam Sessions with Junction 87 at the Buffalo Bar & Grill, 311 S. Beeline Highway, every Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m.

Monday, June 14
Flag Day

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, June 15
Smile Power Day

United Blood Services Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Payson Regional Medical Center. For more information about donating blood, including donor qualifications, visit the Web site

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, June 16
Donald Duck Day

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, June 17
Iced Tea Day

Summer Reading Program at the Payson Public Library every Thursday in June at 9:30 a.m. Bounces, ticklers, brain play, lullabies and stories for ages six months to three years.

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.

Healthy Lifestyles Seminar at East West Exchange Books, Gifts & Practices, 100 N. Tonto Street, Suite 102 from 6 to 8 p.m. Life should be an adventure and this seminar is one that you will want to embark on as you consider what you are going to do about your health habits today and how to go about changing them for the good. You will never be the same once you learn the nine simple principles taught during this one-day seminar and apply them to your life. $25 seminar fee. For more information, call 468-2435.

Payson Raconteurs writers group meets each Thursday at 6 p.m. at a local restaurant. The association of local writers makes it possible for writers to read their work for critique. For further information, contact Carole Mathewson, 474-0753.

The Payson Tea Party—Sons and Daughters of Liberty meets every Thursday night from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Famous Sam’s Restaurant (east wing of the shopping center on the northeast corner of the Beeline Highway and Bonita Street). Guest speaker Mike Armstead, one of the founders of American Stewards, will discuss forming a local committee for our own land use plan.

Friday, June 18
Hug Holiday

“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.

The Starlighters at Rye Creek Bar & Grille on Highway 87 in Rye, five miles south of Payson from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Friday night. Music from the era of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole.

Weekend Community Briefs

Rim Country Mountain Bike Festival from Friday, June 11 through Sunday, June 13. Join us for a weekend of mountain biking, music and good times! If you want to escape the summer heat, spend a weekend camping in the cool pines under the Mogollon Rim while enjoying good music, good food, good beer and some of the sweetest single track you probably never knew existed, then don't miss out. Rides will occur on trails near Cabin Loop Trail and Rim Lakes Trails off Forest Road 300. Festival is held in conjunction with the Strawberry Valley Blues Festival and the Strawberry Festival. Call Mick Wolf at Hike, Bike, & Run, 478-6918 or e-mail: shop@hikebikeandrun.com to RSVP and for more details and itinerary of weekend events.

East Verde Park Annual Rummage Sale will be held on Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, June 12 from 7 a.m. to noon at the Community Club House, five miles north of Payson.

Fourteenth Annual Strawberry Patchers Quilt Show will be held on Friday, June 11 through Sunday, June 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pine Cultural Hall, Highway 87 in Pine. Admission is $2. Berry Patch Boutique and quilt supply vendors. Appraisals by Karen Housner. For information, contact Leslie Peacock, 468-1866. For entry forms, contact Susan Garrett, 474-6085. Or visit www.strawberrypatchers.com for more information.

Second Annual Strawberry Valley Blues Festival will be held on Friday, June 11 from 2 to 7 p.m., Saturday, June 12 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 13 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Strawberry Valley, off Highway 87, 2.4 miles west on Fossil Creek Road in Strawberry. Admission is $15 for one day or $25 for the weekend. Contact Chuck Casey, 476-5337 for more information or visit the Web site at www.strawberryvalleyblues.com.

Twentieth Annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Highway 87 in Pine at the Pine Strawberry Community Center and Ramada across from the post office. Held in conjunction with the Strawberry Patchers’ Quilt Show and the Strawberry Blues Festival in Strawberry, three miles north of Pine. Free admission to all events. There will be activities for the kids, a great selection of food from fry bread, kettle corn, hamburgers and hot dogs to strawberry delicacies such as pies, sundaes, floats, shortcake, jam, strawberry sparkle drink, chocolate dipped strawberries, flats of strawberries and on and on. Vendors and artisans will be selling a great diversity of wares.

Upcoming Events

Fourth Annual Rim Country Open - Arizona Disc Golf Tournament will be at Rumsey Park, Ramada #3 on Saturday, June 19 at 8:30 a.m. The tournament will consist of two rounds of competition and multiple divisions for all ages. For more information and to obtain registration forms, contact Payson Parks & Recreation, 474-5242.

Run For The Bridge Poker Run Invitational will be held on Saturday, June 19. Registration is between 10 and 11 a.m. Win $300 for "Best Hand" and $150 for "Low Hand." Open to bikes and cage cars. A total of $7,000 must be raised to keep the Tonto Natural Bridge open through September. All proceeds benefit The Friends of the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. $25 per couple or $15 per person. Register at the Rim Country Chamber of Commerce or Sidewinders Saloon (on the corner of Highway 87 & Hardscrabble Road in Pine). Stops include Buffalo Bar & Grill, Long Valley Cafe, Sportsmen's Chalet, and Happy Jack Lodge. Run ends at Sidewinder’s Saloon. There will be a 50/50 drawing, raffles, and silent auction. The John Scott Band will begin playing at 12:30 p.m. at Sidewinders. Barbecue pork sandwiches and sides will be served for $6. Other menu items will be available.

Payson Area Habitat for Humanity Charity Golf Outing will be held on Sunday, June 27 at Chaparral Pines. Enjoy a day with friends and help PAHH develop more homes for low-income families. Shotgun start at noon with a Hole-In-One grand prize of $50,000. Participants will compete for various prizes, contests and silent auction items. Registrations are now being accepted at the Business Office located at 103 East State Highway 260 (next to Urgent Care). The Charity Golf Registration form is available at www.paysonhabitat.com or in person at the ReStore. Space is limited so register early by mailing in the form and payment to Payson Area Habitat for Humanity, Inc., P.O. Box 1131, Payson, AZ 85547-1131 before June 21. For more information, call 474-0330 or e-mail: paysonhabitat@qwestoffice.net. Check, cash and credit card accepted. PAHH is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization; IRS 86-0818407.

Community Announcements

Summer hours for the Rim Country Literacy Program, 809 W. Longhorn Road, are 9 a.m. to noon every Monday through Wednesday. The office number is 468-7257.