Better ways to spend $92 million than on Trump's birthday military parade

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE: If ever a picture was worth 92 million words, this is the one. 

Payson, AZ joins gun violence protests

We may not be as young as most of the hundreds of thousands of participants, but Payson demonstrated its support for sensible gun control Saturday morning.  Among the marchers, your friendly blog editor and his beloved Consort.  Scroll down to meet some of the more than 100 participants who gathered at the intersection of AZ87 and AZ260.  Despite an occasional flipped bird by a passerby, a good time was had by all.

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It's not the Northeast, but...

To our readers outside Arizona - we're not all about 100 degree-plus weather, as this photo taken Monday (Feb. 11) by Pine resident Maxine Piper attests.  Wonder if the Pipers cancelled their plans to dine on the deck?

Jesus makes surprise Rim Country visit

Christ has not only risen but has returned to earth (specifically Mesa del Caballo), making a surprise appearance at the Norman's Halloween party Saturday night.  Stay tuned for more photos of your favorite characters between now and Halloween eve.

Bill Huddleston's Rim Country Fourth of July photos

Saturday morning at Payson Farmers Market

Photos by Bill Huddleston

Cowboys usually win rodeos, but not always

Photo by Bill Huddleston
As regular Blog readers know, we are blessed to present Bill Huddleston's photography from time to time. In picking out some of Bill's past rodeo shots for our upcoming promotion of August Doin's, we came across this one. It's not what the Town of Payson or the Chamber want you to see at rodeo time, so we thought we'd take this opportunity to share it with you now. The moral of the story - the animals don't have much of a chance, but every once in a while those cowboys better watch out.

Local hikers survive trek into Grand Canyon

We promised you photos of Gazette Blog Photographer Bill Huddleston's hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.  Here they are.  Photos by Bill Huddleston (of course).

Photo by Bill Huddleston

Gazette Blog photographer Bill Huddleston has been on the road lately.  He captured this dramatic photo of a turkey vulture last week in Mexico.  This week he's at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, so look forward to something equally spectacular from there.

Five breathtaking Rim Country winter scenes

Photos by Guy Lewis
Local photographer Guy Lewis captured these shots of the recent snowfall in the Rim Country and was kind enough to share them with the Gazette Blog.

Winter wonderland from a canine perspective

Photo by Jim Keyworth
Our new guy Radar, a shelter rescue of course, loves his new-found freedom, and he especially loves exercising that freedom in the snow.  He runs around with his nose a couple inches into the snow and then plops down in it for a refreshing rest.  We can hardly get him to come in at night.  To meet Radar, stop by the Humane Society of Central Arizona Thrift Store on a Tuesday morning.  That's when he serves as store greeter.

Great viewpoint to start the first week of 2011

Photo by Bill Huddleston
In case you live in a part of the Rim Country where you can't see this view out a window, here's what we're looking at in Mesa del Caballo.  Good friend and great photographer Bill Huddleston took this photo from his deck.

Local photographer Gerri Levine wins again

Photo by Gerri Levine
This photo of  hummingbirds competing for a spot on the feeder took first place in the 2010 National Wildlife Federation competition.

Gerri Levine of Payson has won first place in the 2010 National Wildlife Federation photography contest. Her photo of feeding hummingbirds competing for a spot on the feeder took the prize in the Backyard Habitat category.

There were 50,000 entries in this year’s contest and her photo survived three rounds of judging. The photo is published in the Dec/Jan 2011 issue of the National Wildlife magazine and is on their website. A generous award was given as well.

You can see all the winners here: http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/PhotoZone/Archives/2010/Photo-Contest.aspx

Levine's latest award followed closely her third place overall finish (first place in the People category) in the 2010 Arizona Highways photo contest. Her image of a Powwow dancer was published in the Sept 2010 issue of Arizona Highways.

Gerri was invited to join the Artists of the Rim Fine Art Gallery at 408 W. Main S and has become their newest member. You can see her work displayed there and you are invited to their Holiday Show and Sale on Friday, Dec. 3, 5 p.m.-8 p.m. and Sat, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Visit Gerri Levine's website at http://www.galevinephotos.wordpress.com/

Big turnout, lots of wine at Wine Eagles tasting

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Photos by Bill Huddleston

Above: Beverage Place Wine Director (and Gazette columnist) Noble Collins with Payson Town Councilor Su Connell.

Below: Seven wine distributors brought about 30 wines for Wine Eagle club members to taste last Thursday evening at the Majestic Mountain Inn.  Local Chef Gary Bedsworth (in the hat) provided food pairings.

Happy Halloween from your favorite Consortium...

THE CONSORT...

Photo by Bill Huddleston

AND THE SCARY DUDES SHE HANGS OUT WITH

Photo by The Consort



Rim Country mourns loss of local artist Joy Layson

"Every time an artist dies,

part of the vision of

mankind passes with him."

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Photo by Jim Keyworth
Longtime local artist Joy Layson is dead at the age of 83.  Layson was born in 1927 in Waukegan, Ill.  She attended the American Academy of Fine Arts and the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts.  She taught art in Illinois and Colorado and co-owned an art gallery in Estes Park, Colo.  She also taught art at Gila Community College and at her home studio in Payson.  A special memorial service, "A One Woman Art Show," will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 27 at Church of the Nazarene on Tyler Parkway at the Beeline Highway roundabout.  Rim Country residents who own pieces of Layson's work are asked to bring them to the service to contribute to a display.  Lunch will follow for her closest friends.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Payson Art League to be used for art education in Joy's honor, or to the Humane Society of Central Arizona (812 S. McLane Road, Payson 85541) to care for the Rim Country's homeless animals.

Tornadoes pummel Flagstaff area Wednesday

At least four tornadoes ripped through the Flagstaff area in the predawn hours Wednesday.  Bellemont (shown above), where some 15 homes were destroyed, was hit especially hard. Here are some on-the-scene photos shot by ADOT employee Susie Haught and sent to us by Jerry Foster.  While destruction was widespread, there were no serious injuries.

Just to add a little color to your world...

Photo of August Doin's parade clowns by Mitzi Brabb

Hashknife Pony Express live at Down the Street

Courtesy photo
As part of August Doin's festivities, the Hashknife Pony Express will make an appearance at Down the Street Art Gallery on Saturday, Aug. 21 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. In addition to live music, a film about the history of the pony express will be featured. Log rounds with the original Hashknife brand from 1886 will be given on a first come basis. Gallery owner Minette invites the public to come and meet "the guys who are keeping part of our history alive." Bring your camera.

Christopher Creek neighbor stops by for a visit

Photo by Sam Conklin
Taken in Christopher Creek, and posted as a reminder to all of us how fortunate we are to live in the Rim Country.