Payson Roundup | Payson, AZ

Taxpayers have saved $250,000 since the Payson Police Department implemented its Police Volunteers program in October 2001. Even in today's inflated economy, that's a nice piece of change.

According to Lt. Don Engler, the current staff of 59 volunteers puts in about 22,150 hours per year in a variety of positions.

Volunteers come from all walks of life. Ages range from as young as 16 to over 80 years. Many have been with the program since its inception. Candidates must be interviewed, pass background checks, and then enroll in training classes to prepare for volunteer duties. Uniforms are provided. Office personnel receive golf-style shirts to wear on duty.

Anyone interested in learning more about the program may contact the Payson Police Department at (928) 474-5177, or pick up an application at police headquarters.

We tip our hat to all the hard-working and dedicated volunteers who help make Payson a better place to live.

Senior Circle

Dr. Clinton Street, retired psychologist, will present Doc Talk on Monday, Nov. 8, at 11:30 a.m. in the Senior Circle meeting room, 215 N. Beeline Highway. There is no charge for members; the fee for non-members is $1.50. Attendees may bring a bag lunch or snack. For reservations, call (928) 472-9290.

The Senior Circle members' breakfast is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Nov. 15 in the Payson Regional Medical Center cafeteria. Cost for members is $3.50; $4 for non-members. Call the above number or stop in the Senior Circle office to make reservations. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.

Friday, Nov. 19 is the date for the annual volunteer banquet at the Mazatzal Casino. All Senior Circle volunteers may bring a friend or spouse. The banquet will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations are required.

Senior Circle members now receive a 20 percent discount at La Quinta Inns nationwide. For reservations, call (800) 531-5900 and ask for the Rim country rate.

Payson Senior Center

The Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens will have help available for seniors with legal questions Nov. 16 at the Senior Center, 514 W. Main Street. Their representative will be at the Center beginning at 10 a.m. Persons interested in using the service must sign uprior to Nov. 16,t the Senior Center greeting desk. The service is offered on a donation basis.

Paul Andrews instructs a computer class at 10 a.m. Mondays upstairs in the Senior Center. There is no charge for the class.

The monthly birthday celebration will be Wednesday, Nov. 17, at the noon meal. Members whose birthdays are in November should put their names in the birthday barrel to be eligible for a prize. The birthday dinner menu is oven baked chicken, broccoli with rice, dinner roll, cake with fruit, and a beverage. Cost is $3 for members, $4.50 for non-members.

The Senior Thrift Store at 512 W. Main St., has an extensive inventory of Christmas cards. Prices are very reasonable, starting at 10 cents for individual cards, and 50 cents for packs. Come early for the best selection. Therealso is a variety of Thanksgiving and other greeting cards.

Thought for the day:Things turn out the best for those who make the best of the way things turn out.

Payson Senior Center Menus

The Payson Senior Center serves a hot lunch every weekday at noon in the dining room at 514 W. Main St. No membership is required. Cost of the meal is $3 for members, $4.50 for non-members and those younger than 60.

Meals also can be delivered to homebound individuals.

Reservations must be made one day in advance. For reservations, or to make arrangements for Meals on Wheels, call (928) 474-4876.

The menu for November is as follows:

Nov. 1: Sausage steak, mac and cheese, fruit salad, roll, Japanese vegetable

Nov. 2: Stew bread bowl, salad, lima beans, fruit jello

Nov. 3: Chicken fried steak, baked potato, spinach, roll, lemon pie

Nov. 4: Taco salad, rice, chips, green beans, citrus fruit

Nov. 5: Fish strips, cole slaw, bean soup, pudding, corn bread

Nov. 8: Quiche with ham, salad, orange, banana, roll

Nov. 9: Marzetti herb potatoes, oriental vegs, fresh fruit, roll

Nov. 10: Chicken Parmesan spaghetti, salad, brussel sprouts, pie, garlic roll

Nov. 11: Closed for Veterans Day

Nov. 12: Roast pork, yams, roll, asparagus, pudding

Nov. 15: Meat, potato casserole, roll, salad, fruit jello, succotash

Nov. 16: Pork stir fry, stir fry vegs, egg roll, fruit, roll

Nov. 17: Oven chicken, broccoli, rice, cake with fruit, roll

Nov. 18: Barbecued chicken sandwich, green beans, corn, pickled beets, pudding

Nov. 19: Swiss steak, baked potato, mixed veggies, cobbler, roll

Nov. 22: Beef noodles, peas, carrots, pears, V8 juice, fresh biscuits

Nov. 23: Pot roast, boiled veggies, apricots, biscuits

Nov. 24: Sliced turkey, mashed potatoes, asparagus, roll, cobbler

Nov. 25: Closed for Thanksgiving

Nov. 26: Closed for Thanksgiving

Nov. 29: Spaghetti and meatballs, salad, garlic bread, Japanese mix, pudding

Nov. 30: Lasagna, salad, spinach, fruit jello, roll

Thanksgiving is here. We at the Payson Senior Center would like to take the time to let you know how thankful we are for all of the Payson Seniors and the opportunity to serve you. May you and your families be blessed.

Senior Citizens Affairs Foundation Menus

The Senior Citizens Affairs Foundation of Pine-Strawberry serves a hot meal Monday through Friday at noon, in the Senior Dining Room, Highway 87 in downtown Pine.

Meals on Wheels is also available for those who are homebound.

Members of SCAF pay $3.50 for lunch; nonmembers, $5.

Reservations must be made between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. 24 hours in advance. Call (928) 476-2151 for reservations.

The menu for November is as follows:

Nov. 2: Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, veggie

Nov. 3: BBQ pork ribs, baked potato, veggie

Nov. 4: Beef burrito, Spanish rice, refried beans

Nov. 5: Salmon filet, parslied potatoes, veggie

Nov. 8: Sausage 'n' peppers, Rice

Nov. 9: Chicken fajitas, Spanish rice, refried beans

Nov. 10: Pork chops, mashed potatoes, veggie

Nov. 11: Corned Beef, cabbage, carrots, potatoes

Nov. 12: Baked or fried cod, scalloped potatoes, veggie

Nov. 15: Chicken cordon bleu, au gratin potatoes, veggie

Nov. 16: Pork loin, mashed potatoes, veggie

Nov. 17: Oven fried chicken, yams, veggie

Nov. 18: Meatloaf, baked potato, veggie

Nov. 19: Chef's choice

Nov. 22: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, veggie

Nov. 23: Teriyaki chicken wings, stir fried rice, Oriental veggie

Nov. 24: Turkey with all the trimmings

Nov. 25: Kitchen closed.

Nov. 26: Kitchen closed.

Nov. 29: Sweet 'n' sour chicken, rice, Oriental veggie

Nov. 30: Ham 'n' limas, corn bread

All lunches are served with a salad bar. A 24-hour advance reservation is necessary to assure enough for all. On Friday, Cod days, please ask for baked or fried. Call Cheryl at 476-2151. If cancellation is necessary, please call 24 hours in advance.