The Payson Roundup / Teresa McQuerrey

Recent stories

A Taste of Rim Country returns on March 3: By Teresa McQuerrey; January 27, 2012; The always popular Payson Public Library benefit, A Taste of Rim Country, is planned for 5 p.m., Saturday, March 3. Up to 12 stations arranged around the library in Rumsey Park will feature some of the area’s best chefs showing off great taste treats. Guests will also have an opportunity to enjoy wine or sparkling cider with the food samples.
Payson’s Masonic Lodge gets first ‘home-grown’ master: By Teresa McQuerrey; January 27, 2012; The Payson Masonic Lodge opened in 1973. The Town of Payson was incorporated that December, with Ted Pettet named as mayor of the interim council. That same year — May 31, if memory serves — this reporter graduated with about 45 or so other somewhat awkward 17- and 18-year-olds. One of them was Lon Thomas. This month Thomas was installed as the Master of the Payson Masonic Lodge. Pettet sponsored him into the organization about five years ago, and is his habit, had to say a few words (or more) about Thomas that evening and he then contacted the Roundup and told this reporter what he thought would be an interesting story. Since Pettet almost always has interesting stories (he has since he was this reporter’s business teacher in the dark ages at PHS), we agreed. Thomas said
Rim Country 4-H clubs to hold open house on Monday: By Teresa McQuerrey; January 24, 2012; Learn about 4-H opportunities at an open house from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 30 at the Payson Public Library. The 4-H program offers a wide variety of projects in which young people can participate, including 4-H Camp. According to Lani Hall, 4-H youth development agent with the University of Arizona Gila County Cooperative Extension Service, if enough young people are interested in a project, every effort will be made to make it available to them. The projects cover everything from aerospace to wildlife skull activity and yeast breads.
Gala for a good cause - Black & White Ball is Jan. 21: It’s all black and white, fabulous and fun; By Teresa McQuerrey; January 18, 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. Get ready to step out and step lively Saturday, Jan. 21 at the event center of the Mazatzal Hotel & Casino. The MHA Black & White Ball gets under way at 5 p.m. when the doors open. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. and features a choice of prime rib and Princess chicken (made with a mushroom and wine sauce) or upon request, a vegetarian entree. There will be delicious side dishes and a scrumptious dessert — a tuxedo cake, one of the specialties of the casino’s restaurant staff, plus a no-host bar and dinner music as well.
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.”
Area military invited to serve solemn duty: By Teresa McQuerrey; January 10, 2012; The Payson Military Honor Guard is asking members of the military in the Rim Country — active duty, reserves and retired — to volunteer for another solemn duty. The Honor Guard is in need of members. Most currently serving with the group, which was organized in 2006, are in their upper 70s, so there is a need for younger veterans and service members to learn the ropes in order to provide an important duty at the funerals of veterans.
A Thirst for Adventure: By Teresa McQuerrey; January 4, 2012; Martin Szekeresh has a thirst for adventure. It is a condition that has plagued him for many years and resulted in a treasure trove of memories and great stories. He quenches that thirst with frequent visits to the Grand Canyon. In fact, he is planning a camping trip there next week – yes, next week, the first week of January. Every year he hikes it from rim to rim on his birthday. Szekeresh is 73. That thirst for adventure has been satiated over the years through events for ultra runners too – such as the Zane Grey 50-Mile Run, numerous 100-mile runs and multiple marathons. A number of years ago Szekeresh and one of his brothers also ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.
Ways to help beat the holiday blues: By Teresa McQuerrey; December 30, 2011; Holiday blues — in fact, any blues — can have their root in any number of life-changing experiences such as the death of a spouse or loved one, a divorce, the loss of a job or reduced economic circumstances, a move to a new community, an illness or some other family issue. Terry Stevens, director of Cenpatico of Arizona, which oversees Southwest Behavioral Health, offered some helpful advice on how to cope with the difficulties some people may face during the holiday season. “Adults might give some thought of talking with others who might be experiencing what they are going through, or who have experienced it in the past,” Stevens said.
Love in Action: Expedition Church congregation ‘adopts’ a village in Rwanda; By Teresa McQuerrey; December 29, 2011; Payson’s Expedition Church members strive to love people — and act on that love. Locally that love in action can be found through its contributions to Time Out, Inc., the area food banks and more. That action went global about three years ago when the congregation agreed to adopt the village of Rwimbogo, Rwanda.
Expedition Church’s mission in Rwanda is love in action: By Teresa McQuerrey; December 27, 2011; Payson’s Expedition Church members strive to love people — and act on that love. Locally that love in action can be found through its contributions to Time Out, Inc., the area food banks and more. That action went global about three years ago when the congregation agreed to adopt the village of Rwimbogo, Rwanda. The church’s minister, Donovan Christian, explained the “adoption” was made through the Food for the Hungry (FH) organization. Food for the Hungry was founded in 1971 in California and is now headquartered in Arizona. It is at work in more than 26 countries worldwide. Initially the primary focus of the organization was on responses to disasters and emergencies, providing immediate and practical relief help such as food, water, clothing, medical care and temporary shelter. That early work evolved into long-term development work: helping poor communities improve their way of living through sustainable programs in areas such as education, agriculture, health, water, and leadership training. Christian said the organization’s “holistic” approach is one of the reasons it was selected by the congregation for support. “It was a good fit for us,” he said. The members of Expedition Church have made a 12-year commitment to Rwimbogo, he said. By the end of that time, it is expected the community and its residents will be self-sustaining.

Recent photos

The Rev. Glenn Zimbelman and his wife, Janice, joined Mount Cross Lutheran Church in May. They have implemented a number of new programs and in January will start a media driven contemporary service. The first will be at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 8.

More than 50 vendors are scheduled to participate in the Mazatzal Arts & Crafts Fair Thanksgiving Weekend, Saturday, Nov. 26 and Sunday, Nov. 27. The fair will feature pottery, woodworking, baskets, cards, children’s items, fabric totes, purses, wood sleighs filled with gifts, jewelry of all kinds, tole painting, fine art, fabric art, photography, silver smithing, candlesticks, fabulous gourd art, wearables and more.