Payson Roundup

Today starts the big 4th of July weekend. There will be many activities for everyone’s taste throughout the Rim Country, including the fireworks at Green Valley Park in Payson.

There will be many people who just want to get out of the heat and camp along the creeks and in the many campgrounds in the area.

A word of caution: no campfires are allowed and no littering.

Remember to pack it in and pack it out. The rule also includes no target practicing. The forest is very dry and can ignite with the smallest spark. What a shame that most people from the Valley do not realize how serious a problem this is.

The Snyder household will be a bit bigger this holiday weekend, our son Bill Jr. and his wife Shari and their three children will be here from Yuma, enjoying the cooler weather, at least for a few days. It is always a pleasure to have our kids and grandchildren here for a visit.

Hellsgate Fire Department

The giant water bladder that is on the back lot of station #22 in Tonto Village is one of three that will be placed by the fire department.

There is also one set up at Diamond Point Summer Homes. Plans are to also place one at Mead Ranch station #23 and eventually one in Bear Flat.

The bladders are in preparation of the ISO rating that will be reviewed in late August, but also for further fire protection to the most vulnerable places within the Tonto National Forest where there are a concentration of homes.

Fire Chief Gary Hatch said through a telephone conversation with me on Monday morning, that there will be continual training every other weekend for the firefighters throughout the fire season.

The last training took place this past Saturday at the Mead Ranch station with 20 firefighters and 11 pieces of apparatus participating. Not only station #21 in Star Valley, but Tonto Village, Mead Ranch and Christopher/Kohl’s volunteers took part in the exercises.

An observation on my part: I have been so proud of the volunteer firefighters that we now have within the Hellsgate Fire Department.

I feel so much safer during our fire season, since all of them have qualified for wildland firefighting. But also they are so well trained to handle any emergency, in fact, almost all have at least EMT certification and some have paramedic certification. How lucky we are. Keep up the good work, guys. We are all behind you 100 percent.

The Tonto Village station will be losing firefighter Jeffrey Younkins to the Star Valley station beginning July 11, on a temporary basis. Jeff has been such a great help to the Fireflies and to the dominoes group on Wednesdays. He has gladly helped set up tables and lifted heavy boxes, and he has been a great supporter to both groups. He will be missed. Jeff has been at the Tonto Village station since October 2008.

Jeff’s replacement will be firefighter Bill Mennen of the Star Valley station. A big welcome to Bill.

Hellsgate Fireflies Auxiliary

The Fireflies recently held a meeting to discuss and plan for the biggest event that is held by the auxiliary. Help is really needed since there will be the barbecue pork dinner, live music by DJ Larry Ellis Smith, a rummage sale and fun activities for the kids.

The Fireflies would also like to offer free face painting, but we need a volunteer! Is there someone out there who would like to donate a few hours of their time for a good cause? If so, call President Nancy Yoakum at (928) 478-4370. The next planning meeting will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 15 at the Tonto Village station.

New resident in the village

Chad and Casey Stluka of Tonto Village II are now the proud parents of a baby boy, Clayton Blaze. Clayton came into the world on June 16 weighing 8 pounds, 10 ounces and measuring 21 inches long. Both mother and baby are doing well, and Clayton’s big sister, Presley, is very happy to have a little brother. Congratulations to the Stluka family.

Double D happenings

The nine-ball pool players got together at the D on Tuesday evening. The lucky winners were Patty Boeschling from Christopher Creek, Kara Shaw and Sue Prach.

Sunday afternoon the guys dominated the pool tables with the eight-ball tournament. Cliff Landrum, Harvey Poyner and Joe Ferriera dominated the tables. The gals didn’t stand a chance against the winners. Congratulations to the winners, but come on gals, chalk up those pool sticks and get a win over these guys.

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