Payson Roundup LOCAL Friday, August 28, 2015
2B
aroundthe rim Great community events coming up quickly As a Payson Roundup reporter, I was with doors opening at 8 a.m. and regisasked in 2004 to cover a Pine-Strawberry tration beginning one hour later. Ride grassroots movement to raise money to departure is 10 a.m. and the fee is $15, buy Justice McNeeley, then a 5-year-old which includes a drink ticket courtesy of kindergartner, a specialized wheelchair Sidewinders. Those who arrive hungry may woof called a Go-Bot. It was a duty I looked forward to — it down $5 breakfast burritos while they was far more genial than the auto acci- await the run start. dents, shootings and forest fires I had Upward of 80 riders are expected been writing about. to turnout aboard a variety of I learned from the onset that ATVs, motorcycles, OHVs and ’ the fundraising effort was start- rattlin side-by-sides. the rim ed by Justice’s friends, family Some are customized, and some who didn’t know him high-dollar 800-1000 cc rigs and but sympathized with his plight side-by-sides loaded with every The boy suffers from spinal accessory available. Some are muscular atrophy — a form of older, smaller, less powerful muscular dystrophy — and the models suitable only for a single innovative Go-Bot was designed rider. to greatly improve Justice’s In the early years, the ride mobility over the standard was held in the summer months, Max Foster wheelchair he then had. but because the trips often After much brainstorming, turned hot and dusty, organizers — including Justice’s mothvolunteers decided the most lucrative and popular event would be a er Katie Parks — changed the date to quad/ATV poker run. When plans came the fall when high country temperatures to fruition, headquarters for the inau- are much cooler. gural run was the Sidewinders Saloon, During the ride — which takes parwhich also hosted a silent auction, bar- ticipants west along Hardscrabble Mesa becue dinner, horseshoe tournament, Road to the Twin Buttes area and north pool tournament and raffles. of Strawberry before wrapping up at the The day was indeed special and fes- original starting line — there will be five tive. stops where participants will receive a The much-anticipated highlight of the single playing card. afternoon occurred only an hour after At the conclusion of the event, the the poker run wrapped up and was one entrants with the best and worst poker of the most emotional moments ever hands will be awarded prizes. witnessed in the tiny mountain hamlets. A single-elimination horseshoe tourJustice’s father, Trent, lifted his son nament, which begins at 1 p.m., is expecton the Go-Bot — which was specially ed to be among the day’s highlight as are delivered to Pine from North Dakota — the Texas Hold ’em poker games. Sign allowing the boy to take his first-ever up is 12:30 p.m. and the games begin at 1 ride on a device that was sure to bring p.m. The buy-in donation is $15. The entry fee for horseshoes is $10 him newfound freedom. “You people better watch out, here I each. High country big game hunters will be come,” Justice said as he spun around paying attention to a special raffle that the parking lot. Onlookers clapped and cheered — has as a prize a Savage Axis XP 7mm08 rifle and scope. Tickets are $10 each. some shed a few tears. The overwhelming success of the first There will also be several other raffles, a benefit prompted organizers to found the 50/50 drawing and an auction. The day will be one of great fun and Justice McNeeley Foundation, which has a goal to help others, especially boys and all for a good cause, so join in. For more information, call Katie girls with medical needs. The McNeeley Foundation benefit Parks at 602-540-4991. poker run has since grown to become Legos at the library a smash hit a highlight on the Rim Country sports, In mid-July, the Isabelle Hunt recreation and social scene. Over the years, the benefits have Memorial Library staff opted to host a earned thousands of dollars which have first-ever “Library Lego Day” from 3 p.m. been used to pay medical expenses for to 7 p.m. each Thursday for those 5 to 18 needy Rim Country children and fami- years of age. Library manager Becky Waer admitlies. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprof- ted early on she didn’t know how the it organization and all employees are event would be received, but was pleasantly surprised when 15 youngsters non-paid volunteers. showed up opening day. For 2015 “I can’t believe the turnout” Waer said Since the inception of the poker run, as she pleaded with the community to it has been a vagabond of sorts moving donate more Legos. Each Thursday, participation in 2005 from Sidewinders to the Rimside Grill and then returning to the mid-town increased until last week when Waer put on display in the library 12 completed Sidewinders site. This year’s event will be held Sept. 19 projects that offer up a glimpse of the
George Strait tribute performance at the Mazatzal Casino. That was tough, but at least it was cheaper than traveling to Vegas’ MGM Grand, which I am required to do most every time “The King of Country” appears there. Following the “Troubadour Experience” I asked Kay about her affinity for George, deadpanning, “I think you like him more than me.” Her reply, “But I like you more than Toby Keith.” Pre-ride the trails
Max Foster photo
The Isabelle Hunt Memorial Library’s “Library Lego Day” event for youngsters was a big hit. See the results on display. creativity and ingenuity of the children. “These kids have put a lot of time into completing these,” Waer said. The projects remain on public display so drop in and check out the ability and skill of our most precious resource — our children. Census workers needed
The U.S. Census Bureau has openings for part-time interviewers in Pine and Strawberry. The pay is $12.19 per hour plus .56 cents per mile in mileage reimbursement. The hours are flexible and include day, weekend and evening work. Workers must be a U.S. citizen at least 18 years of age, have a valid driver’s license, car, telephone and speak English/Spanish. Call 1-877-474-5226 by Aug. 31 to apply. Labor Day festival
Normally quiet and tranquil PineStrawberry will morph into a beehive of activity on Sept. 5 and 6 when the 33rd Annual Labor Day Arts and Crafts Guild Festival, takes over the Community Center and ramada, hosted by the Pine Strawberry Arts & Crafts Guild. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on opening day, Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. the following day, Sunday. Organizers are anticipating more than 85 vendors will participate. “Come and sign our guest registry in the arts and crafts center and meet some of our local artists and crafters,” invites guild member Debra Price. Visitors can expect to find booths
offering stained glass, original art, wood and copper items, pottery, hand woven blankets, jewelry, candles, greeting cards, handmade clothing, crocheted items and more. The popular Trouble in Paradise duo of Chuck and Barbara Casey will entertain. There will also be food booths, including pancake breakfasts and Navajo tacos both days. The Pine Strawberry Arts & Crafts Guild is a nonprofit community organization that donates proceeds from the event to groups such as the Pine-Strawberry School, the fire department, Tonto Rim Search and Rescue, the local food bank and the Isabelle Hunt Memorial Library. DPS seeks help
Department of Public Safety officers in Payson are seeking information regarding a hit and run injury accident involving a cyclist that occurred at 8:26 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 16 at mile marker 269 on southbound Highway 87 between Strawberry and Pine. The vehicle involved is believed to be a full-sized pickup truck with a topper, possibly maroon in color. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver involved. Those with information should call 928-474-2606. Report is #2015-037318. Going Strait
Last week, I missed the Arizona State football Sun Devils Pep Rally at Green Valley Park to accompany my wife, Kay, to the “Troubadour Experience”
Expect to see a bevy of cyclists pedaling through town and over trails this weekend as they pre-ride the trails that will make up the racecourse for the Fire on the Rim Mountain Bike Race on Sept. 11 and 12. For the pre-rides, all trail sections including those on private land will be open to riders. Fire on the Rim volunteers have worked since last spring improving and upgrading the trails for both racers and the public. The traditional “Italian Feast” prepared by Chef Gerardo Moceri of Gerardo’s Firewood Café in Payson will precede the races at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11. Dinner tickets may be purchased weekends at the Ponderosa Market and at Al’s Barber Shop on Parkinson Drive in Strawberry. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 years and under. The Fire on the Rim events also feature raffles to be held beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. Prizes are three very nice bikes — a New Belgium Fat Tire Bike valued at $600 and two BMX bikes valued at about $1,000 each. Raffle tickets are being sold and the bikes are on display weekends at the Ponderosa Market. All proceeds from the race, dinner and raffle fund wildfire prevention projects around and in Pine and Strawberry. Wildcat retirement party
Drop by the Pine Community Cultural Center from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. today, Friday Aug. 28, to congratulate retiring Jim Sprinkle for his years of service as the University of Arizona Area Extension agent and Gila County Cooperative Extension director. Renowned outdoor chef and camp cook Albert Hunt will be offering up another of his scrumptious barbecue dinners. The event will also feature a good-natured roast open to all friends, relatives and co-workers. Although time is growing short, those attending should RSVP to 928-474-4160. Thought for the week
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, I used everything you gave me.” — Erma Bombeck
Some signs can put a smile on your face – Part 2 Over the course of a long, our admin officer had a head of happy life I have seen many signs solid stone. Otherwise how could that put a smile on my face. They these three signs have existed were hanging on restauabove the doors of three rant walls, stuck on the restrooms in our air terminal? back bumpers of cars, your turn MEN printed on tiny tags sewn LADIES to household items, or OFFICERS even splashed across If you’re not laughing huge highway billboards. right now, you’re not Some were located on human. military bases, and those However, no matter were some of the best what those three signs I’ve seen. Tom Garrett may say about the thinkAs any ex-GI will tell ing of some of the junior you, Johnny, there are times when those who are run- officers I have known, there are ning the show in some area of some genuinely creative minds military life are not the best of at work whose owners wear a the best, and that’s what hap- uniform. The trouble is, to underpened in the Terminal Squadron stand military humor you have to at Tachikawa Air Base in Japan understand the military mind, so while I was there. As evidenced let’s peer into that unorthodox by some of the things he did, corner of the human mind for a
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minute. Is there anyone who doesn’t know that donning a uniform is a big step? Is there anyone who isn’t aware that taking that step may be the first of many steps that lead rapidly and inevitably to the grave? I doubt it. So what? The knowledge of that fact is not something that men and women in uniform care to dwell on day after day. In fact, they tend to do just the opposite, refusing to take life as seriously as do some of their fuzzy-chinned young leaders, preferring a good laugh. That attitude, Johnny, is often expressed on the walls of a latrine. As in these … STAND CLOSE; THE NEXT MAN MAY BE BAREFOOT. WE AIM TO PLEASE; WON’T
PLEASE DO NOT THROW YOUR CIGARETTE BUTTS IN THE URINAL; IT MAKES THEM SOGGY AND HARD TO LIGHT. I’ve seen a few civilian signs that came close to those though. One was a bumper sticker I saw up in Maine that said: BUMPAH STICKAH. And one that I saw on the back of a car whose rear end was so badly beaten up that it looked like the backstop in a bowling ball heaving contest. In very fine print it said: IF YOU CAN READ THIS YOU’RE TOO D--N CLOSE! Oddly enough, in the chemistry lab of an elderly male teacher who struck me as being about
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as reserved as anyone I had ever met in my life hung three unlikely signs: IF YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR SOMEONE WITH A LITTLE AUTHORITY, SEARCH NO FARTHER; I HAVE AS LITTLE AUTHORITY AS ANYONE YOU’LL EVER MEET. IF YOU DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO, DON’T DO IT HERE. IF YOUR FEET SMELL AND YOUR NOSE RUNS YOU’RE BUILT UPSIDE DOWN. One of the most truthful signs I ever saw was pasted on the flat back of my brother Frank’s very large delivery truck. I didn’t get to see it until a couple of New York drivers decided to try pass-
ing Frank on the right on a very narrow Connecticut street just as Frank decided to turn right. He pointed at the sign on the back of his truck as they stood looking at their highly wiped out new car. <—PASSING SIDE — SUICIDE—> They got the point — and a ticket to go with it; passing on the right on a two-lane city street is illegal in Connecticut. I remember a sign that got my attention the first time I drove over the mountains into California on my way across the country. We were on a narrow two-lane road at night when my headlights picked out a sign that said: SOFT SHOULDERS AND DANGEROUS CURVES. TSK! TSK! Californians! Always bragging about their women.
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