Payson Roundup | Payson, AZ

May 15 Saturday

• Spring Fling: starts at 7 a.m., Star Valley Moose Lodge and Hellsgate Fire Department

• Aero Fair: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Payson Airport

• Plant sale: 8 a.m. to noon, hosted by High Country Garden Club, in front of Walmart

• Pine Library: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Payson Public Library: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Rim Country Museum: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 700 Green Valley Pkwy.

• Pine/Strawberry Museum: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pine Community Center

• Free program on allergies: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., East West Exchange, 100 N. Tonto St.

• Spring Rodeo: 5 p.m. gates open, 7 p.m. performance, Payson Event Center

• Rodeo Dance: Historic Oxbow Saloon, music starts at 9 p.m.

Star Valley Spring Fling

The Hellsgate Fire Department and the Moose Lodge in Star Valley will co-host a Spring Fling Saturday, May 15. The event kicks off with a hearty breakfast prepared by the Moose staff from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. Lunch will also be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be on the menu.

There will be vendor booths, games for the kids, and the Fireflies will be selling raffle tickets for a chainsaw, handmade quilt and a diamond necklace and earring set, and the auxiliary will also be selling Hellsgate t-shirts.

A rummage sale will also be held on the Hellsgate fire station property.

Brush pit schedule

This coming weekend, the Regional Payson Area Project… for a Fire Wise Rim Country (RPAP) will be staffing free brush drop-off points at the following locations, weather permitting:

The Blattner Pit is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 15.  The Blattner Pit is located at Milepost 259.7 on Highway 260, east of Payson.

The Pine Pit is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 16.  The Pine Pit is located .7 of a mile east of Highway 87 on Control Road, south of Pine.

All RPAP free drop-off locations are for brush, leaves, pine needles, trimmings, and other vegetative materials only. Properly bagged Yellow Starthistle, or other listed noxious weed species will also be accepted and will be burned. No household garbage, construction debris, or other items will be accepted.

RPAP brush pits are intended for the use of private citizens who are working to clear their properties for wildfire risk reduction and to create defensible space around their homes. They are not intended for commercial use, and use by commercial haulers is prohibited.

Aero Fair

Celebrate flying on International Learn to Fly Day from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 15 at the Payson Airport, 802 Airport Road.

Start the day with a pancake breakfast by the Payson Pilots Association from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children under 10. At 11 a.m. there will be a Learn to Fly seminar by Alliance Aviation and all-day EAA #810 airplane rides for $25 per person. There will be food and craft vendors, activities and a raffle for a Magellan RoadMate 1440 GPS device.

For more information, call Dick Garmon at (928) 468-0147 or visit the Web site www.paysonairport .com.

Plant sale

The High Country Garden Club will hold a plant sale from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 15 in front of Walmart near Highway 87. Expect a big variety of indoor plants, vegetable plants, cacti shrubs, flowering plants and exotics. Garden items and baked goods will also be available.

For information, call Dorothy at (928) 472-7396.

Free program on allergies

Attend a free allergy lecture from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 15 at East West Exchange Books, Gifts & Practices, 100 N. Tonto Street, Suite 102.

This 2-hour workshop will cover allergies and allergy treatments and is presented by Andrew Dickens of the Healing Pathways Medical Clinic.

For more information, call (928) 468-2435.

Concert Saturday

There will be a Celebrating Movement Concert from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday, May 15, 2010 at East West Exchange Books, Gifts & Practices, 100 N. Tonto Street, Suite 102. A donation of $5 for admission is suggested.

The concert is a musical celebration of new beginnings for East West Exchange, featuring Mary Godfrey, Gail Phoenix and The Lotus Band.

Register for Summer Reading

It is time to register children for the Summer Reading Program at the Payson Public Library. The theme is “Catch the Reading Wave” this summer. The program includes puppet shows, crafts, games, and more.

Registration begins May 15 and continues through June 5. Baby Summer Reading for those 6 months to 3 years is at 9:30 a.m. Thursdays. The Summer Program for ages 3 to 12 will be held in several different sessions: 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Wednesdays; 11 a.m. or 2 p.m., Thursdays. The “Make Waves” Summer Program for those ages 10 to 18 is at 4 p.m., Wednesdays.

Class space is limited, so sign your children up today. Contact Harryette at (928) 474-9260 for more information.

May 16 Sunday

• Rim Country Museum: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., 700 Green Valley Pkwy.

• Pine/Strawberry Museum: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Pine Community Center

• Bingo: 1 p.m., Elks Lodge, open to the public

• Ecumenical reunion: 5:30 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1000 N.Easy St., Payson

• Casino Night: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Fargo’s Steak House, benefits scholarship funds

Casino Night planned

Rim Country Rotary partners with Gila Foundation for Higher Education for the scholarship fund-raising event, “Casino Night” from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, May 16 at Fargo’s Steak House.

“Bet on a sure thing — the future of Rim Country Kids” is the theme for the evening.

Tickets are $100 each or two for $150; the cost includes hors d’oeurves and $100 in playing chips. Tickets are available by contacting the following: Bill Lawson, (928) 474-2784; Rich Stockwell, (928) 978-2840; or at the Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce office at the northwest corner of the Beeline and West Main, Payson.

Both organizations award scholarships to area students to provide financial assistance to help further their education.

The Rim Country Rotary has awarded scholarships for the past 13 years for the benefit of Rim Country students who want to attend college or trade school.

The Gila Foundation for Higher Education, is in its ninth year of awarding scholarships and gives preference to students who attend Gila Community College. There is no restriction as to the area of study, although a preference is given to those careers that may be pursued in the Payson area.

All applicants are required to complete an application and submit it to the respective organization. Scholarships are awarded based on the completeness of the application and the need for scholarship assistance.

For further information, contact Bill Lawson, (928) 474-2784.

Ecumenical reunion planned

All Payson area Cursillistas and “Walk to Emmaus” graduates are invited to attend an ecumenical Ultrea (reunion) for the community at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1000 N. Easy Street. The event is at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, May 16. Food and drink will be served.