Forest fires in White Mountains are really pretty scary
The forest fires are pretty darn scary. Do you know what to do in case of evacuation, or how to make your property firewise this season? There is a pamphlet out called “Living With Wildfire” published by The U.S. Forest Service. The pamphlet can be picked up at the Payson Ranger Station. There are Web sites with more information on how to enhance the protection of your community from wildfires. They are: www.AZStateFire.org, www.Firewise .org, cals.Arizona.edu/fire wise/ There are 10 firefighters from Hellsgate Fire Department on the fires: Jeffery Yunkans, Captain Wisner, Raymond Rodriguez and Dale Hayes are on the Horseshoe II Fire. Chief Hatch, Bobby Mollere, Bob Evanson, Bobbie Doss and JR Szabo are fighting the Wallow Fire. Chad Stluka and Trey Shill from the Christopher/Kohl’s Fire Department have also gone to the Wallow Fire. Engineer Bill Dupke of Diamond Point is manning station #22 in Tonto Village while Engineer Yunkans is on the Horseshoe forest fire. Thank you Bill for filling in.
Tonto Village holiday events were very successful
Tonto Village was almost filled to the brim with part-time residents, their families and many newcomers to our village, thanks in part to the Memorial Weekend breakfast sponsored by the Hellsgate Fire Department Auxiliary, the Fireflies.
Hellsgate Firefly Auxiliary plans holiday weekend fund-raiser
The big holiday weekend is finally here. Tonto Village is gearing up for a big weekend with many of our summer residents opening up their cabins for the season.
Hellsgate awards potluck honored many
The weather is still kind of upside down. Since this column is written on Tuesday, I don’t know if the promised rain has arrived.
Visitors need to know of fire restrictions
What is going on with this crazy weather? Tuesday morning the temperature was 29 degrees in the Village!
Watch out for cattle on Control Road
Tonto Village is being taken over by free range cattle. No matter where you look in the Village there is evidence of them everywhere with huge piles of cow patties!
Fireflies to discuss cookbook
Today is a historic day for the United Kingdom.
Village residents encouraged to join water board
What a whirlwind weekend I had this past weekend. Our grandson, Marine private Brian Snyder is leaving for Afghanistan on May 7.
Fire chief in Washington to preserve fire code
Did I say last week that it was almost spring planting time? Well, I did plant some herbs and wouldn’t you know, the temperature Tuesday morning was 29 degrees.
2nd Saturday Shop Hop kicks off
Tax day is rapidly approaching. I have been married to my computer munching numbers and swearing yet again that I will keep my records up-to-date so I don’t need to do all 12 months at one time. Right. Even I know that is a pipe dream. But hope springs eternal.
Snyder household increases by one
Happy April Fools’ Day! I hope you don’t get any pranks pulled on you today.
First art class starts April 4
This past Monday, Tonto Village was again covered with snow. But first there was rain, about a half inch, which was sorely needed.
Activities picking up in the Village
Spring is busting out all over! I was in town on Monday and the mock pear trees in the Safeway Plaza and in the Bashas’ parking lot are in full bloom. What a beautiful sight!
Hummingbird, robin harbingers of spring
The weather in Tonto Village is giving out mixed signals. One day, it looks as if winter is behind us and the next, the weather has turned cold with the threat of snow.
Hellsgate Fireflies to raffle off a ‘Husky’
The month of February left Tonto Village with one of the coldest mornings we have had this winter.
Hellsgate Fire Department in the news
There have been many events this month and that may be part of the reason; Valentine’s Day, Statehood Day, President’s Day and last but not least, Pacemaker Day for my hubby.
Fire hazard removed from community
If you read my column last week, you know that my husband Bill had a pacemaker inserted last week at Payson Regional Medical Center by Arizona Heart Institute heart specialist, Dr Claudio Zamorano.
Chimney sweep went above and beyond to help
The Snyder household has been busy getting ready for the new tax season. Thankfully, we have a few extra days this year.
Brush piles to be burned in next two weeks
February is a very diversified month as far as holidays and celebrations go. This week alone there is Groundhog Day on Feb. 2.
Fireflies receive generous donation
January is just about gone for 2011. Where did the time go? It seems that the older a person becomes, the faster the time goes.
Warm weather allows residents to get out more
The weather in the Rim Country has been textbook perfect after a rough start in December. The temperatures have been hovering around 60 degrees and a bit higher in Payson.
Utilities crews do great job restoring services
Happy New Year from Tonto Village. Here’s wishing you all a sleigh full of wishes and dreams for the New Year to come true. I do mean sleigh full. December 2010 has left with a roar.
Fireflies still collecting items for food drive
Happy New Year from Yuma, Ariz. My hubby and I came to Yuma to spend Christmas with our children.
Village getting gentle, but steady rainfall
The Rim Country has been very fortunate in the weather department this past week. California is getting hammered by rain, snow and landslides.
Hellsgate Christmas party was great fun
Last Thursday, Hellsgate Fire Department Chief Gary Hatch hosted a Christmas party for all of the firefighters and their spouses. Teddy Tomerlin generously deep-pitted the turkey and the pork shoulder which was absolutely falling off the bone.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
The Village is getting to look very festive. Many of the homes are sporting colorful Christmas lights and blow up Santas. Some of the homeowners are decorating their whole yard for the enjoyment of the Villagers.
Christmas party plans still ongoing
Tonto Village was covered with snow on Sunday. According to some of my neighbors, the snowfall amount was about 2 inches.
Fireflies Auxiliary hosts canned food drive
Brrr! It was pretty chilly in the Village this week. This past Tuesday was the coldest so far, at 12 degrees in the morning. There was definitely a hard frost, the ground looked as if it had snowed. Keep warm, everybody, winter is on the way.
Elk are back foraging in Tonto Village
The elk are back in the Village foraging for anything still green. My husband heard a noise on our back porch Sunday evening so he checked it out and the bull elk had just jumped the fence and headed for the “island.”
Wonderful fall colors this week in Tonto Village
Tonto Village is showing off its best colors this week. There are gold, brown and brilliant red leaves falling.
Zane Grey precinct had respectable turnout
The election is over and the people have spoken with a large voice. The Republican Party has taken control of most of the country, so now let’s hope that this decision made by you voters has been the right one and the legislators can turn this country around.
Village has frost on the pumpkin
There has been a bit of controversy over when the kids should go out to trick or treat, whether on Saturday, Oct. 30 or Sunday, Oct. 31. The question has been brought up on television and in the newspapers. The consensus has been to trick or treat on Sunday.
Last of 3 fire board candidates profiled
The leaves have begun to change into fall colors and some of the trees are already losing their leaves, along with the ponderosa pines shedding their needles. Get your rakes out, folks, it’s that time of year again. I don’t mind the work, I love all the wonderful colors that nature shares with us.
Looking forward to Halloween decorations
The days are rushing by so quickly that it is hard to believe that October is half gone already. Halloween is just around the corner, and the Village is looking forward to the amazing decorations that Bobette Davis puts up every year.
Barbecue makes new generator possible
Let it rain, let it rain! As I look out my office window, it looks as if the cloud has fallen to the ground with all the mist.
Bids being accepted to ‘firewise’ Diamond Point Summer Homes area
What? Oct. 1 already? Where did September go? Granted, it was a bit busy in the Village this past month, but wait, I am not ready for winter. I do love the colors of October though.
Firefighters unite to stand up to cancer
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to show that the Hellsgate Fire Department is in total support of the event, the firefighters will be wearing pink awareness duty shirts.
Bugling signals fall is approaching
The days are getting a bit shorter and the mornings are just a tad cooler. In Tonto Village, the temperature early in the morning is hovering around 40 to 45 degrees. Can the fall season be very far away?
Big barbecue, bake sale, auction tomorrow
The Labor Day weekend is here! The Hellsgate Fire Department Auxiliary is busy preparing all the great-tasting pulled pork sandwiches, the bake sale, and silent auction details to get ready for a successful fund-raiser for our dedicated and loyal firefighters this Saturday.
Annual duel, buffet lunch was a huge success
This past week has been a trying one for my family with the loss of our grandson-in-law Christopher John Walk, also known as CJ.
Chapel hosts hot dog/hamburger picnic
Have you been thinking of a juicy barbecue sandwich with all the fixings? The day is fast approaching for just that dinner.
Now is best time to treat trees for webworms
THE VILLAGE
Have you noticed any webworms on your apple trees this summer? Or any other tree for that matter, these caterpillars are not too picky. The forest health information alert is telling us that the webworm is a native insect that is active in the Payson area.
Great time visiting with family this week
This week one of our daughters in our family is visiting us from Yuma, where it is extremely hot! Our daughter Vicki Nelson and her husband Bill are staying with us for the week and we will be celebrating Vicki’s birthday a bit early.
Garden flourishing after recent rainfall
This past Monday morning, a loud clap of thunder just about landed me on the floor.
Nuisance bear in the Mead/Collins area
The monsoon season is finally here. Tonto Village has not received a whole lot of rain (about 1-1/4 inches for the past few days), but it has been delightful.
Weather was perfect for a great weekend
I hope that it was a great weekend for everyone. The weather was perfect for outdoor activities and enjoying a barbecue with family and friends.
Quad and Kids ’n’ Kritters Parade Sunday
This week I am having a great time with our son, Bill Jr., his wife Shari and our granddaughter Gatlyn and our grandson Christian.
Control Road paving welcome news for those bothered by dust
I am sure that you have seen the heavy equipment along the Control Road this week. Roy George Haught has won the bid to pave one mile of the road and he started that work on Monday, June 21.
Extra care needed now that fire season is here
June is already halfway over and according to the morning newspaper, the monsoon season has started as of June 15.
