Payson Roundup

More News from our neighbors

February adoption special — all pets just $25

Chandra Cushman

February 3, 2012

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and love is in the air. There are many kinds of love, but the greatest of all is unconditional — the type of love many say can only be experienced by owning a cat or dog. As a mother, I feel it’s also something you experience with your children. For many pet owners, their dog or cat is their child, so I think pet owners and parents can relate. In honor of Valentine’s Day, the Humane Society of Central Arizona is running an adoption special. For the month of February, all adoptions are just $25. This includes cats, kittens, puppies and dogs. We have an unconditional love for the animals in our care and would like for them to find their loving, forever homes so that you can experience unconditional love too. Stop by the shelter at 812 S. McLane Road, open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Back to the Future…

Tonto Basin ranch owners demonstrate that draft horses and traditional methods of farming can restore the environment

By Michele Nelson

February 3, 2012

If the land under the care of Bill and Lori Brown loses fertility, everything on their ranch in Tonto Basin suffers. So their draft horse clinic aims to resurrect the art of farming with horses, a sustainable method of farming. The Browns have a history of environmentalism. They were honored in 2008 by the Society for Range Management as a result of their work in redeveloping springs and maintaining 15,000 acres of land. The couple has worked on their family’s H-4 Ranch since the 1960s. Despite the many years of use, the ranch radiates vitality. Animals have a healthy coat and the land grows lush alfalfa for the stock. In 2006, they decided to purchase draft horses as a hobby, but now recognize how horses link to sustainable farming. “Connecting with the land is critical,” said Lori.

Surviving your worst nightmare

150-foot fall into canyon leads to months of surgeries, therapy

By Alexis Bechman

January 27, 2012

With his pelvis shattered, his body paralyzed, his pain nearly unbearable, Mike McEntire watched the helicopter make one final pass before flying off, leaving him alone in impending darkness. He knew somehow he must survive the night. But in his darkest hours, his fate rested on his will to live and the skill of rescuers, risking everything to reach him — for as he lay at the bottom of the canyon, he was not alone. Rescuers and friends would put their lives at risk, climbing down waterfalls, rappelling over shear cliffs and hiking through pitch darkness to reach him and offer some comfort until morning came. In the 18 hours McEntire waited for help, the comfort that someone was coming helped him hold on. While McEntire, a retired Payson dentist, never wanted to come so close to death for a little adventure, he still believes that a life lived to the fullest means risk, whatever the consequence.

Adopt or rescue your next pet, don’t buy or breed

Chandra Cushman

January 27, 2012

In last week’s article, I discussed the importance of spaying and neutering. We are all aware of the millions of animals euthanized each year due to pet overpopulation, and unfortunately there are not enough homes for the vast amount of animals in shelters across the country. So, I’ve found another way you can help reduce these euthanasia numbers…ADOPT OR RESCUE! Too many times I’ve heard people say they just want to breed their dog one time because “she’s just so cute,” or because “he’s the best dog I’ve ever had.” Though that may be the case, there are still millions of animals looking to find their forever home. You’d be surprised at the types of cats and dogs that make their way into shelters and rescues each year. So you want a purebred? Not a problem. There are purebreds that end up in shelters, including ours, as well as rescue groups who focus on primarily one breed.

Remembering a beloved supporter

Chandra Cushman

January 20, 2012

On Dec. 15, 2011 the Humane Society of Central Arizona lost a beloved friend and supporter — Mr. Thomas Tainsh. Tom served on the Payson Humane Society Board of Directors for many years as president and vice president. He and his wife, Velma, spearheaded the Spay and Neuter program and also the Save Our Shelter plan by calling for matching funds. The people of Payson responded generously and saved the shelter. The amount of love and support Tom had for the humane society and its lost, abandoned and unwanted pets is remarkable. We have been truly blessed to have such a strong, dedicated man and of course his wife, Velma, be a huge part of something we all believe in. He will be missed, but never forgotten. So here’s to you, Mr. and Mrs. Tainsh; thank you, from the bottom of our hearts for everything.

Fun: Gettin’ lost searching for the Dutchman

Driving the Apache Trail and hiking Lost Dutchman State Park

By Michele Nelson

January 20, 2012

The car sat empty in the parking lot of the Lost Dutchman State Park in the famed Superstitions. “Where are they?” I asked my daughter Brooke, with a twinge of panic at the thought of my parents wandering bewildered among the volcanic spires and violent legends of the Superstitions. “Maybe they got lost,” she shrugged. I sighed. Served us right, this played into the whole day’s theme. My parents, daughters and I had heard of the legend of the Lost Dutchman and his gold mine. We decided to go on a day trip from Payson down the Apache Trail, through Tortilla Flats, to end the day with a hike through the jagged, saguaro-dominated landscape. We wanted to learn about the Lost Dutchman since he is an Arizona legend. The area we traveled covered the old stomping grounds of Jacob Waltz, a German adventurer who sparked a century-long search for gold in the Superstitions.

Shelter has many pets in need of homes

January 13, 2012

There are dozens of wonderful dogs and cats in need of homes at the Humane Society of Central Arizona animal shelter, located at 812 S. McLane Road, just south of Main Street. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — 7 days a week. For more information, call (928) 474-5590 or visit www.humanesocietycentralaz.org.

Gala for a good cause - Black & White Ball is Jan. 21

It’s all black and white, fabulous and fun

By Teresa McQuerrey

January 13, 2012

Love the costumes on Masterpiece’s Downton Abbey? Have a zoot suit or flapper dress in your dream wardrobe that you are just dying to wear? Need to pull out that fabulous formal wear for some air? Or do you still have some styling garb from the height of the counter culture era of Haight-Ashbury. If it’s black and white, then you have the perfect place to wear it for a night on the town — the Annual Black & White Ball sponsored by the Mogollon Health Alliance (MHA). The theme this year is “San Francisco 1906 to 2012.”

Woe and beauty on an ancient edge

By Pete Aleshire

January 6, 2012

I took a step — a long step — a million years step. Then I stopped, turned and faced north. Perched on the jagged edge of my life, I looked down deep into the shadowed layers of lost worlds — terrible deaths, fractured continents, vanished seas, mass extinctions. Taking a breath, I took another step — a long step — another million years. Curiously, I felt better — my troubles for the moment shrunk to no more than a ledge of Tapeats Sandstone in the wall of the Grand Canyon opposite. A layer of fossilized beach sand laid down 570 million years ago, the Tapeats Sandstone lies atop a mystery of missing stone — dubbed the “Great Unconformity.”

Cat fanciers have plenty of adoption options at HSCAZ

Kat Knauff

January 6, 2012

Many people have a household full of furry friends. Whether it is a group of canine companions or an entourage of feline friends, animals are known to make a household more entertaining. Some people are “dog people” while others are “cat fanciers,” but our society does have a population that enjoys the companionship of both.

Fantasy of lights

December 30, 2011

A million Christmas lights have joined the rugged red rocks in Sedona to keep people in the holiday spirit for one more week. For the 21st year, people from around Arizona have created holiday light displays to benefit charities, and light up the Red Rock sky. But hurry, the show ends New Year’s Eve. This year’s Red Rock Fantasy light display features a million lights twinkling on 28 displays at Los Abrigados Resort. Visitors to the event can cast a vote for their favorite display. Last year’s winner is also on display, but eligible for the grand prize this year.

2011 a successful year at HSCAZ

Chandra Cushman

December 30, 2011

As 2011 comes to an end, I believe my premonition about how this year would be came true. 2011 was a successful year for the Humane Society of Central Arizona. This year we welcomed Kat Knauff as our new Animal Services Manager. Kat has proven to be a huge asset to HSCAZ. This year she helped place 175 animals into rescue; versus last year’s number of 40. Kat also helped set up and successfully complete the first mobile Spay and Neuter Clinic to take place in the last 2-1/2 years. I think it’s safe to say we are glad to welcome Kat aboard.

Creating winter habitats for winged visitors

December 30, 2011

The bird populations present in your area this winter could use your assistance. Attract and welcome these feathered friends to your backyard with a bird-friendly habitat. Birds enjoy finding new supplies of food and eat constantly in the winter to retain their body heat and energy. In fact, birds may come to rely on feeders, especially in severe weather, because feeders offer an easy-access meal close to their home. Remember to continually refill feeders to encourage return visitors and always keep bird feeders clean to prevent diseases.

Student hopes to use pragmatic art to transform a community

First she got her face on a billboard, now Jessalyn Carpino hopes to create a park that’s a work of art

By Michele Nelson

December 23, 2011

Imagine the back lot of a town; derelict, full of weeds; scruffy … its very existence attracts ruffians, drug dealers and crime. Most folks avoid going anywhere near the place. Then one day, someone with a vision steps in and transforms that wasted piece of land into a paradise with pieces of art, tree bowers with benches tucked away offering a moment of peace, broad expanses of grass, and paths meandering through gardens awash with the color of flowers. In essence, they create an outdoor museum. The transformation not only beautifies the space, it adds value to the community.

Pet owners should be mindful of holiday hazards

Chandra Cushman

December 23, 2011

Beautiful lights and decorations are up now and you can hear some of your favorite carols on the radio. It’s getting colder in Payson, and Christmas is just around the corner. This is personally my favorite time of year. It’s time to bake cookies and wrap gifts and spend time with the family. The season can be a little hectic at times, but the warm feeling in your heart and the wonderful memories you create sure pays off. As Kat said in last week’s article, having a companion sure does make life more enjoyable. For those of you who do own pets or are planning on adopting this year, there are some holiday hazards we want you to be aware of. Treats, decorations and the weather can be harmful to your pets, so here are a few things to watch out for this time of year: Chocolate, especially dark and other human food is bad for your pet. If they get into these things, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea or even more severe problems.

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