Payson Roundup

Photo courtesy of Gloria Alliger

Richard Pinkerton (left), board chairman for the Hellsgate Fire District, presents Battalion Chief Doug Blazer with an award for 10 years of service to the district.

The temperatures in the Rim Country have been extremely hot! The town of Payson has hit 100 degrees-plus just about all this past week. Tonto Village has almost reached that mark, but not quite. Unofficially, the temperatures have been around 95 degrees. That temperature is still pretty darn warm!

The rainstorms have been nice, but not enough of them.

If you venture out early in the morning, it is almost chilly. It feels wonderful!

The Village has been very busy with the campers along the Control Road and the part-time residents fill the Village with noise and traffic. Many of the visitors are walking around the Village, so be extra aware that there are adults and children in the streets.

Hellsgate Fire Department

The Hellsgate Fire Board held its monthly meeting July 8 at the Star Valley station. The board unanimously voted in Little Green Valley to be annexed into the Hellsgate Fire Department. The boundaries have now been changed for the fire district.

The Zane Grey Meadows subdivision near Mead Ranch did not receive enough votes to annex into the Hellsgate district.

Also at the July 8 meeting, Battalion Chief Doug Blazer was presented an award for 10 years of service to the district. Thank you, Doug, for your dedication to duty.

Bear Flat couple located

There was much excitement and concern when it was learned that there was a couple who went for a hike up Christopher Mountain and had not returned after it had gotten dark after 9 p.m. A resident of Bear Flat called the Sheriff’s Department, which contacted the Tonto Rim Search and Rescue team. A helicopter was also called in to look for the couple through a sensor that picks up warm bodies.

The rescue efforts were called off early on Sunday morning and had promised to return after some rest. In the meantime, a call was received from the R-Bar-C. Boy Scout Camp. The couple had hiked down to the creek area, and found the cabin of the manager.

The manager let the couple use the phone to let their hosts know that they were safe. The Bear Flat residents wish to thank the search and rescue team and all the volunteers for the hours they put in to help locate the lost couple.

This type of thing happens all too often to people thinking that this area is a big playground, and neglectfully do not prepare properly. The couple did not leave a note as to where they would be, and no walkie talkie.

Domino divas

The Tonto Village Divas will be hosting a domino challenge with the Christopher Creek Firebelles on Wednesday, July 29 at the Christopher Creek fire station. The fun begins at noon with a potluck. Please bring a door prize, plus your dish for the potluck. Do not wrap the prize.

They will be giving out the prizes at the end of our challenge to women who “shine” during our game. Remember last year how fun it was to be voted by your fellow domino friends for being the loudest, quietest, kind, mean, highest score, lowest score, cattiest, considerate, and the one who says, “Is it my turn?” too many times, good sport, smartest, etc.? They will need at least 12 prizes. If you have any questions, call Dara Sutton at (928) 478-0052.

There will be tables of Mexican Train and Chicken Foot so you will have a choice where you would like to play.

Hope to see you there, it promises to be a really fun afternoon.

Pool Results

Sunday afternoon at the “D,” the guys dominated the pool tables with a competitive game of eight-ball. The winners were Joe Ferriera, Cliff Landrum and Harvey Poyner.

The gals got together on Tuesday evening with their usual games of nine-ball. Keeping it in the family again, Payge Ferriera shot for first place. Shelby Galloway and Sherie Roebuck from Kohl’s Ranch shot for second and third places. Congratulations to all the winners.