Rim Country Community Briefs

Compiled by the Mogollon Connection Staff

Special Events

Time Out 2 Shop's July 4th Celebration - Dollar Days Sale is on Thursday, July 1 through Saturday, July 3. The thrift shop is located at 500 S. Beeline Highway (across from Wendy's). Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The shop will be closed on Monday, July 5 in observance of the July 4th holiday. Donations accepted on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in July between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pickups available for gently used furniture and larger donations. To schedule a pickup call, 474-3989.

Moto X Madness event on Friday, July 2 and Saturday, July 3 at the Payson Event Center, 1400 S. Beeline Highway at 7 p.m. Features Freestyle Motocross, Step-Up Competition and Arena Cross. Come see high flying stunts and exciting race action. $15 admission price. Tickets can be purchased by phone, (888) 840-0457.

Upcoming Events

First Annual Gala Benefit for Payson Community Kids featuring 1920s Passport to Paris will be held at the Mazatzal Hotel and Event Center on Saturday, July 10 at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. A live and silent auction will be held. 1920s costume optional. Featuring hypnotist and entertainer Don Rice and master of ceremonies Carl Anthony. $75 per individual ticket; $140 per couple. Purchase tickets at the Rim Country
Regional Chamber of Commerce.

K-9 Officer Survival Seminar will be held on Tuesday, July 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Payson Event Center, 1400 S. Beeline Highway. Police dogs, handlers and trainers from all over the U.S. and Canada have come to Payson for the past 18 years for this annual event. There will be a public demonstration to show the talent of these incredible dogs. The Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Association will accept donations at the event.

"Shoot for the Rim!" 3-D Family Archery Shoot at the Jim Jones Shooting Range on Saturday, July 17. Payson participants of all ages can compete in a two-course, 3-D archery tournament hosted by the Tonto Rim Sports Club in partnership with the Payson Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department. Many different divisions for children and adults.

Special Bingo Charity Session at the Payson Elks Lodge, 1206 N. Beeline Highway, in conjunction with the Social Welfare Charity Golf Tournament on Saturday, July 31. Ticket sales at 8 a.m.; bingo session at 9 a.m. All proceeds to benefit the Arizona Elks Association Social Welfare Committee for the Clothe-a-Child and community grant programs.

Saturday, July 3

Free concert at Green Valley Park. Concessions start at 6 p.m. and the band The Higher Power Band performs a variety of music from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s and will play from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, go to the Web site: www.paysonrimcountry.com.

Sunday, July 4

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

Pine Strawberry Arts & Crafts Show will be held on Saturday, July 3 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 4 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.


Gigantic Fireworks Show and Fourth of July festivities at Green Valley Park. A flag raising at 8 a.m. at the Green Valley Park Veterans Memorial will start off the celebration followed by a recital of the Declaration of Independence and an open discussion. Sponsored by the Payson Patriotic Events Committee in concert with the Town of Payson. Kids games from 1 to 3 p.m.—everything from sack races to egg toss to tug of war. Finally we will conduct the Second Annual Payson Arizona Foot Races. Live entertainment from 4 to 6 p.m. by John Carpino and the Hot Cappuccinos Band. Live entertainment from 7 to 9 p.m. by the band Johnny Anonymous.

Pine Library Friends Annual July Fourth Weekend Book Sale on Friday, July 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, July 3 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, July 4 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pine Library Activity Room located off Highway 87 and Randall Drive behind the Community Center in Pine. Call for more information, 476-3678.

Second Annual Payson Hometown Patriotic Parade will be held at 5 p.m. on Historic Main Street, complete with floats, walking and performing groups. The parade is free and open to everyone—all you have to do is decorate a float, bike, quad or car and enter the parade. No animals allowed. Sponsored by the Main Street Merchants Guild.

Fourth of July Celebration Fireworks on Sunday, July 4 at 9 p.m. at Green Valley Park. Free admission. Park at the Payson High School north parking lot and take the shuttle the Green Valley Park. Free shuttle bus service begins at 5:30 p.m. For more information contact Parks & Recreation, 474-5240 x7 or visit www.paysonrimcountry.com.

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, July 5

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, July 6

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, July 7

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, July 8

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.

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).

Friday, July 9

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.