Arizona Trail is a treasure in our own back yard
While hikers were brushing off llamas Abigail, Amber and Sierra from Fossil Creek Creamery in preparation for a llama hike at the Pine Trailhead, a bearded and seasoned long-distance hiker arrived at the location and approached the group.
Western sale at thrift store; May Day fun next weekend
The P/S Thrift Store is celebrating Western heritage in honor of Payson’s upcoming Spring Rodeo. The store will have Western clothing, cowboy boots, and western home decor for sale. There will also be a special feature: a Knapp Sewing Machine.
Celebrate spring at Arizona Trails Day
It’s been quite a whirlwind lately; these last few months have been anything but calm. It’s good to be back in the serenity of nature enjoying a magical Pine day.
Casino Day to raise money for McNeeley Foundation
Stop by Sidewinders Saloon at the corner of Highway 87 and Hardscrabble Mesa Road from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, April 21 for the Second Annual Casino Day for the Justice McNeeley Foundation.
Students win state awards in science
The superstars of P/S School are bringing accolades to our small town again.
Get out and look for those eggs this Saturday
Greetings and wishes for a happy spring and Easter to you all.
Support appreciated
To all my friends and neighbors in Pine, Strawberry, Payson, surrounding area and readers of the P/S Happenings column — Thank you.
Calling all quilters and others too
Join the annual Quilt Angels Quilt-a-Thon from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 13, 14 and 15 at the First Baptist Church in Pine, 4039 N. Highway 87.
Celebrating all around the community
On Saturday, March 2, the staff of Isabelle Hunt Memorial Library in Pine will join millions of librarians, teachers, administrators and students across the country in a celebration of Read Across America Day.
Beautiful in winter, but ice can be deadly
Pine and Strawberry, in the Arizona Rim Country, are a winter playground of outstanding natural beauty.
Business owners planning year’s events
The festival season may not be on the minds of too many people in January, except for the members of the Pine Strawberry Business Community (PSBC), who know that it’s never too early to think about festivals.
Amazing school food service workers
When we think of members of the school staff that play a significant role in the lives of our children — teachers, coaches, counselors, administrators and office personnel come to mind.
Rim Country snow survival
This week, I’d like to share a tip for any refugees from the desert who could use a refresher course in Snow Survival 101 (For Dummies)!
A new year brings new hope
On Tuesday we crossed the threshold into a new year knowing that nothing has really changed except the date on the calendar.
Ring in the New Year in P/S
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and indulged in a lot of goodies. One Pine resident will be enjoying her holiday treats for some time to come. That’s because Kay Foster, of Pine, was the lucky winner of the See’s Candy Basket giveaway sponsored by the Isabelle Hunt Memorial Library. Kay is a local resident who shares her heart and time volunteering in the community and is on the board of the Pine Public Library. She carried away over $180 worth of See’s Candy!
Group donates $2,800 to food bank
I’m inspired by all of you who have reached out however you can and in so many ways to the disadvantaged and struggling families this holiday season.
Let’s get moving to re-open FR 708
ATV club members, business owners and concerned residents gathered with Forest Service officials at the P/S Community Center Tuesday, Dec. 4, to discuss the re-opening of Forest Road 708 for access to Fossil Creek.
Residents exemplify spirit of season
Every day I’m reminded of what makes this a special place. From the awe-inspiring scenery to the fantastic outdoor recreation to the community filled with great people.
P/S looking a lot like Christmas
Santa Claus is making appearances around Pine and Strawberry. People are decorating their homes and their businesses and enjoying seasonal activities.
Festival of Lights this weekend
The 4th annual Festival of Lights and Tree Lighting is this weekend at the P/S Community Center.
Holiday Open House tomorrow
Why wait for Black Friday? Kick off the holiday tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 17 at the 14th Annual P/S Merchants Holiday Open House.
Ceremony honors P/S firefighters
The Pine/Strawberry Fire Department held a ceremony on Oct. 17 at Station 41 in Pine recognizing the retirement of Captain Harris Scott.
Local quilter inducted in hall of fame
Each year, Pine and Strawberry attract thousands of visitors who want to experience beauty and enjoy the great outdoors.
SCAF says ‘thank you’ to volunteers
As an event columnist for P/S, I have had a busy and rewarding year.
Apples, antiques on deck in Pine
The Pine Strawberry Business Community (PSBC), a non-profit group of local business owners and residents, will host the Fall Apple Festival and Antique Show on Saturday and Sunday.
Wow your visitors in Rim Country
My cousin and her husband drove all the way from Toronto to see the good old U.S.A. and visit us in Pine.
Good times roll in Pine-Strawberry
Since the early days on the frontier, adventure seekers have journeyed to the remote villages of Pine and Strawberry, nestled beneath the Rim in the heart of Arizona.
Occupy Pine and Strawberry — for fun
Daring and professional mountain bikers will overtake our mountain this weekend in a bike race that is taking Arizona by storm.
P/S packed with events in September
Blood, sweat and gears will occupy Pine and Strawberry next weekend when one of the most challenging up-and-coming mountain bike races on the planet.
Get the dirt on in Pine and Strawberry
On a recent trip to the Valley, I decided to throw caution to the wind.
Don’t miss a chance at great prizes
Summer is coming to an end, and so is your chance to win some great prizes.
Ahhh ... summer on the Rim
Wasn’t it beautiful at the Mountain Daze Festival last weekend? I find beauty in the coldest or rainiest day, but there’s something about browsing artwork or hiking the Arizona Trail or fishing the Verde River in sandals on a warm summer day that is unbeatable.
Mountain Daze are here again
This weekend, Saturday, Aug. 11 and Sunday, Aug. 12, come enjoy crafts, an antique car and tractor show, food booths and kids’ activities at the third annual Mountain Daze festival in Pine.
Pine-Strawberry people inspire awe
The landscapes of Pine and Strawberry take your breath away, but it is the people who are awe-inspiring — people like Roger and Carol Fornoff, who work with the Senior Citizens Affairs Foundation in the Meals-On-Wheels program and volunteer at the Pine Thrift Store.
Author speaks to Library Friends group
I can’t think of a better way to start the day than with a friend, and that’s what happened Monday as the Friends of the Isabelle Hunt Memorial Library gathered for their monthly meeting.
Plenty to keep area residents connected
No matter your interests, in Pine and Strawberry there is a non-profit community group providing opportunities to participate in things you love. It’s a win-win proposition: doing what you enjoy while helping the community.
Visitors come for same reason we did
Do you ever wonder why so many people flock to our area in the summertime? Probably for much the same reasons most of us have chosen to call Pine and Strawberry home. Many come to escape the heat or the noise of the city and bask in the beauty and solitude of the Rim Country. Visitors feel they have stepped back in time and are in a Norman Rockwell print.
Kick off the holiday early in Pine
Guests looking to start the Fourth of July festivities early can kick things off in Pine this weekend at the Arts and Crafts Guild 32nd annual 4th of July Arts and Crafts Festival. If the Rim Country is on your holiday agenda, you don’t want to miss this event in Arizona’s historic mountain paradise. To alleviate any concerns — I assure you, we have drinking water.
Local churches offer encouragement
We’ve all seen the dismal statistics for unemployment and child poverty in our county. Most of us know someone who is unable to find work or is underemployed. Even someone with a positive outlook can find themselves experiencing loneliness, stress, worry, depression and even despair. You don’t have to look very far to find a supportive friend. Churches, like all of us, come in all shapes, sizes and varieties. While no two are exactly alike, all share a common purpose: to help the people in the communities they serve.
Strawberries, quilts and more
Strawberries, quilts, crafts, fiddlers, and pony rides are a few of the reasons Pine is the place to be this weekend. On June 8 the doors of Pine’s Cultural Hall open at 9 a.m. for the 16th Annual Strawberry Patchers Quilt Show. For admission of $2 you can see beautiful and colorful quilts and quilted wearable items submitted by the extraordinary quilters of Pine, Strawberry and the Rim Country. The show continues June 9 and 10 with raffles to win beautiful quilts, a Berry Patch Boutique with unique handmade items by members of the group, a Vendor Mall, a quilt appraiser and Viewer’s Choice Voting. The show runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Friday and Saturday, and until 3 p.m. Sunday. Bring a non-perishable food item and receive a ticket to win a quilt.
ATV club promotes fun and safety
If you love the Rim Country, and you love riding ATVs, the Rim Country Riders ATV Club is for you. The group welcomes residents, weekend visitors and out-of-towners to join them for riding, fun, friendship and promoting safety awareness and respect for our forest. The members are ATV enthusiasts from all walks of life who enjoy the great outdoors. Many of the founding members have been riding together for years, including acting club president Cindy Mack and her husband, Bob, owners of the Ponderosa Market. Other riders include a former warden and other retired law enforcement professionals, a former mayor, a senior librarian, teachers, business owners and even a dog named Jack.
Festivals give community a boost
The spring blossoms peaking in Pine and Strawberry, spectacular scenery, perfect weather and oldies music in the air (courtesy of Payson’s own DJ Craig) made last weekend’s May Day Festival a joyful experience. Parked cars lined the highway through Pine most of the day on Saturday and Sunday as locals and visitors – some just passing through – stopped to partake in the festival spirit and join in the merriment. In Pine, the restaurants and cafes like the Randall House, the new Pine Creek Smokehouse, HB’s, as well as Sidewinders, the Pine Deli and the Early Bird were buzzing with activity. Even the Rimside Grill was open for business even though it is under remodeling construction for transformation into THAT Brewery & Pub. Owner, Tamara, along with husband, Steve, are using local contractor Blue Moon Construction and other area contractors and merchants for all of the work and materials.
Student council, adviser honored
The Pine Strawberry School Student Council received top honors at the Arizona Association of Junior High Student Council State Convention May 3. It was designated Master Council, the highest designation a council may achieve. There were six other councils, out of 239, that also received that designation. Jan Clark, council adviser, was also recognized with the 2012 Distinguished Service Award, the first one ever presented by the Student Council State Board. Congratulations to all of you for your hard work and dedication and for representing our school and community in such a positive way.
School, community — a winning combination
Last Saturday, I attended “Disney’s Cinderella Kids” presented by the Pine Strawberry School Drama Club. I just want to say the cast and crew did a great job. The kids were fabulous. Hailey Hamblen was cast perfectly as Cinderella, with a perfect voice to match. Prince Charming and his court, the cruel stepmother and sisters, fairy godmother and the mouse chorus were well rehearsed and spectacular. Family members and classmates came out in support of the young stars of the show as well as the volunteers who put so much time and effort into making a positive impact on these kids in our community. Although I did not have a child participating, I enjoyed it immensely. Like many of you, I now look back fondly on those days of school plays, sports events, piano recitals, band and choir performances.
Pine’s inaugural Trail Day a top-notch event
Pine and Strawberry residents share their peaceful community with visitors throughout the year by hosting some pretty fun and amazing festivals. Pine’s inaugural Trail Day event Saturday, April 21 was no exception. This was truly a family affair, with activities for everyone. With free parking, free admission and free entertainment, it proved to be a great event for anyone on a budget.
Celebrate the Arizona Trail Saturday in Pine
A few years ago the movie “The Bucket List” inspired some people to create a list of things they wanted to do before they “kicked the bucket.” Mostly these lists consisted of travel and adventure — see the Grand Canyon, skydive, ride in a hot air balloon or even ride an elephant. I didn’t jump on that bandwagon, but if I had, mine would definitely include hiking the Arizona Trail through the rugged and beautiful Arizona backcountry.
Easter Egg Fun Day a golden opportunity for local youth
More than 1,000 eggs were up for grabs last Saturday at the Easter Egg Fun Day at the Pine Trailhead, including six prize-packed golden eggs. Two of these special eggs were hidden inside each of the age group areas. The youngest two winners each received a stuffed bear for their lucky find, winning toddlers received a basket of play supplies, and the oldest kids won $10.
Arizona Trail brings visitors, recognition to community
Greetings on this beautiful Easter weekend. Do you have any fond childhood Easter memories? I remember coloring eggs, baskets with chocolate bunnies and jelly beans, a church service with beautiful music and corsages for the girls (that looked nice on my pretty new Easter dress), and then a traditional big family dinner with ham, potato salad and deviled eggs. It is a special weekend here in Pine and Strawberry as the churches hold inspirational services this Sunday to celebrate the resurrection and the hope that this occasion signifies.
Spring is time to enjoy great outdoors
The welcome was not so warm, but spring is finally here! The flowers are blooming with vibrant colors and people are out in their gardens enjoying the great weather, sunshine and clean, mountain air. I hear the call of the streams, lakes, forests and mountains. It’s time to enjoy the great outdoors and celebrate a new season here in Pine and Strawberry — where there’s always something happening.
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