THE RIM WAY

I've lived in Rim Country long enough to know that our community is special. The way people show up for each other here — bringing meals to a sick neighbor, volunteering at the Senior Center, stopping to help someone with a flat tire on the Beeline — that's not something you find everywhere.

But I also know we face challenges. Our seniors are isolated. Our families are stretched thin. Information that could help people — scam alerts, fire safety updates, local resources — doesn't always reach the people who need it most.

That's why we created The Rim Way. Not to compete with anyone, but to fill a gap. To be the kind of publication that a volunteer can drop off at the Senior Center, that a neighbor can share over coffee, that actually connects people to the resources and stories they need.

Every article in this first issue was written with one question in mind: "Will this help someone in Rim Country?" If the answer was yes, it made the cut.

We're starting small, but we have big plans. Monthly print editions. A growing digital presence. Community events. And most importantly, more voices from our community telling their own stories.

This is just the beginning. And we're glad you're here.

For decades, Rim Country has been more than just a place to live — it's a place where neighbors still check on each other, where the pace of life allows room for conversation, and where the beauty of the Mogollon Rim reminds us daily of what matters most.

The Rim Way is a new kind of community newspaper — one built by and for the people of Payson, Star Valley, Pine, Strawberry, and the surrounding areas. Our mission is simple: connect our community with the stories, safety information, and practical resources that matter here.

Every month, we'll bring you stories about the people who make this community special. We'll share safety tips from local experts. We'll highlight ways to save money on everyday expenses. And we'll celebrate the moments — big and small — that define life in Rim Country.

This is your newspaper. We want to hear from you. Share your stories, your milestones, your events, and your questions. Because the best things about Rim Country have always come from its people.

Welcome to The Rim Way.

Mark your calendars: the annual Payson Volunteer Fair is back on Saturday, May 10, from 9 AM to 1 PM at Green Valley Park. More than a dozen local organizations will be on hand looking for helping hands.

Whether you have an hour a week or a full day a month, there's a fit for every schedule. Organizations attending include the Payson Senior Center, Payson Public Library, Rim Country Food Bank, Gila County Animal Rescue, Friends of Payson Parks & Recreation, and many more.

"Volunteers are the backbone of everything we do," said one organizer. "This fair is about making it easy for people to find the right match — something they care about and can commit to."

No registration required. Just show up, walk the tables, and talk to the people doing work you believe in. Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information or to reserve a table for your organization, email events@therimway.com.

The Rim Country Food Bank reports a 22% increase in families served this spring compared to the same period last year. Director volunteers attribute the surge to rising grocery costs and a growing senior population on fixed incomes.

The food bank, located on Main Street in Payson, distributes fresh produce, canned goods, bread, and dairy products to families and individuals in need. No proof of income is required — just a valid ID and proof of Gila County residence.

Distribution schedule: Tuesday and Thursday, 9 AM to noon. Additional distributions are held the third Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 AM.

The food bank is currently in need of canned proteins (tuna, chicken, beans), peanut butter, pasta, and cooking oil. Donations can be dropped off during distribution hours or at collection boxes inside Safeway and Bashas'.

Cash donations are also welcome and go further than you might expect — the food bank can purchase food at wholesale prices, turning every dollar into roughly three meals.

To volunteer or donate, call (928) 474-0595 or stop by during open hours.

Every month, we celebrate the milestones and moments that make Rim Country special. Send yours to editor@therimway.com — we'd love to include them.

Birthdays

Happy 90th birthday to Margaret Wilson of Payson, celebrated by her three children, seven grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren at a family gathering at the Payson Senior Center. Margaret has been a Rim Country resident for 42 years.

Anniversaries

Congratulations to Bill and Dorothy Harper on their 60th wedding anniversary. The Harpers met at a church social in Pine in 1963 and have been inseparable ever since. Their secret? "Never go to bed angry, and always share dessert."

New Arrivals

Welcome to Rim Country, Baby Olivia Rose Martinez, born March 22 to proud parents Carlos and Sarah Martinez of Star Valley. Olivia weighed 7 lbs 4 oz and already has her grandmother wrapped around her tiny finger.

Want to share a milestone? Email editor@therimway.com with "Special Moments" in the subject line. Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, new arrivals — we want to celebrate with you.

Every year, Rim Country faces the reality of wildfire season. The question isn't whether fires will threaten our area — it's whether we'll be ready when they do.

Local fire officials are urging residents to start preparing now, before temperatures climb and conditions dry out. Here's what every Rim Country household should do before June.

Defensible Space

Clear brush, dead leaves, and combustible materials at least 30 feet from your home. Trim tree branches that hang over your roof. Remove dead vegetation from gutters. Stack firewood at least 30 feet from structures.

Emergency Kit

Every household needs a go-bag ready to grab in minutes. Include: medications (7-day supply minimum), copies of important documents in a waterproof bag, phone chargers and battery packs, water (one gallon per person per day for three days), non-perishable food, flashlights and batteries, a battery-powered radio, cash in small bills, pet supplies if applicable.

Communication Plan

Make sure every member of your household knows the plan. Identify two meeting places — one near home and one outside the neighborhood. Keep an updated contact list with out-of-area contacts. Sign up for Gila County emergency alerts at gilacountyaz.gov.

Know Your Routes

Identify at least two evacuation routes from your home. Drive them now so they're familiar under stress. Keep your vehicle fueled to at least half tank during fire season.

Don't wait until the smoke is visible. Preparation done today could save your life tomorrow.

The Gila County Sheriff's Office reports a surge in phone scams targeting seniors across the Payson area. The calls follow familiar patterns, but scammers are getting more sophisticated.

Current Scams Circulating

The Grandparent Scam: A caller claims to be your grandchild in trouble — arrested, in a car accident, stranded — and begs you to send money immediately. They'll say "please don't tell Mom and Dad." This is almost always a scam.

The Utility Shutoff: Someone claims to be from APS or another utility, saying your power will be disconnected within the hour unless you pay immediately by gift card or wire transfer. Real utilities never demand immediate payment by gift card.

The Medicare Scam: Callers claim to be from Medicare, asking for your Medicare number to "update your records" or send you a "new card." Medicare will never call you unsolicited asking for personal information.

How to Protect Yourself

Never give personal information to an incoming caller. If someone claims to be from a company or agency, hang up and call the number on your bill or card directly. Never pay by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency — these are untraceable. Talk to a trusted friend or family member before sending money to anyone.

If you've been targeted, report it to the Gila County Sheriff's Office at (928) 402-8911 and the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

As Rim Country residents know, chilly nights can linger well into spring at our elevation. That means furnaces, space heaters, and fireplaces stay in use — and with them comes the invisible risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is colorless and odorless. You can't see it, smell it, or taste it. But it can be deadly. According to the CDC, more than 400 Americans die from accidental CO poisoning every year, and thousands more are hospitalized.

Common Sources in the Home

Gas furnaces, propane heaters, wood-burning fireplaces and stoves, gas water heaters, generators, and vehicles running in attached garages can all produce carbon monoxide.

Warning Signs

Symptoms of CO exposure include headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and fatigue. Because these mimic the flu, many people don't realize the danger until it's severe. If multiple family members feel sick at the same time, especially pets, get out of the house immediately and call 911.

Protect Your Home

Install a carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home, especially near bedrooms. Test them monthly. Replace batteries twice a year (when you change your clocks). Have your furnace and fireplace inspected annually. Never use a generator, grill, or camp stove indoors.

CO detectors cost $20-40 at local hardware stores. That's a small price for peace of mind.

The Payson Senior Center's Meals on Wheels program delivers hot, nutritious meals to more than 140 homebound seniors every Monday through Thursday. Six dedicated delivery routes cover Payson, Star Valley, and surrounding areas.

But Meals on Wheels is about more than food. For many homebound seniors, the delivery driver is the only person they see all day. That brief conversation at the door — checking in, making sure they're okay — can be the difference between isolation and connection.

The program runs on a combination of federal funding, town support, and donations. Every dollar donated stays local and directly supports meal preparation and delivery.

By the Numbers:

140+ meals delivered daily. 6 delivery routes. 4 days per week, Monday through Thursday. More than 30,000 meals served annually. Zero seniors turned away.

If you know a homebound senior who could use a daily meal and a friendly face, call the Payson Senior Center at (928) 474-4874. And if you'd like to volunteer as a delivery driver, we'd love to hear from you too.

If you've been meaning to learn video calling but haven't gotten around to it, this is your sign. Whether your grandkids are in Phoenix, across the country, or just down the road, seeing their faces while you talk changes everything.

Here's the simplest way to get started, no matter what device you have.

If You Have a Smartphone or Tablet

iPhone or iPad: You already have FaceTime. Open the FaceTime app, tap the "+" button, type in your grandchild's phone number or email, and tap the video button. That's it.

Android phone or tablet: Download Google Meet from the Play Store (it's free). Open it, sign in with your Google account (or create one — we can help), and tap "New meeting" to create a link to share.

If You Have a Computer

Open your web browser and go to meet.google.com. You don't need to install anything. Click "New meeting" and share the link with your family.

Tips for a Great Call

Find good lighting — sit facing a window if possible. Prop your device up so you're not holding it the whole time. Speak normally — you don't need to shout. Ask your grandkids to show you what they're working on — kids love sharing.

The Payson Senior Center offers free tech help sessions. Stop by and we'll walk you through your first video call in person.

Your phone can save your life in an emergency — but only if first responders can find your critical information. Here's how to set up your emergency contacts and medical information so they're accessible even when your phone is locked.

On iPhone

Open the Health app (white icon with a red heart). Tap your photo in the top right, then tap "Medical ID." Tap "Edit" and fill in: emergency contacts, medical conditions, allergies, medications, blood type. Make sure "Show When Locked" is turned ON. This lets paramedics see your info from the lock screen.

On Android

Open Settings, search for "Emergency information" or "Safety." Add your emergency contacts and medical information. On most Android phones, this is accessible from the lock screen by tapping "Emergency" then "Emergency information."

What to Include

At minimum, add two emergency contacts with their phone numbers and relationship to you. Add any critical medical conditions (diabetes, heart conditions, pacemaker). List current medications and known allergies. Include your doctor's name and phone number if possible.

Take five minutes to set this up today. Then remind a friend or family member to do the same.

If your phone battery seems to die faster than it used to, you're not imagining things. Apps running in the background, screen brightness, and notifications all drain power. Here are five simple changes that make a real difference.

1. Turn Down Screen Brightness

Your screen is the biggest battery drain. Go to Settings → Display → Brightness and slide it down to about 40-50%. Even better, turn on "Auto-Brightness" so your phone adjusts based on the light around you.

2. Close Apps You're Not Using

On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom and swipe away apps you're done with. On Android, tap the square button (or swipe up and hold) to see open apps, then swipe them away.

3. Turn Off Location Services for Most Apps

Many apps track your location constantly, even when you're not using them. Go to Settings → Privacy → Location Services (iPhone) or Settings → Location (Android) and set most apps to "While Using" instead of "Always."

4. Reduce Notifications

Every notification lights up your screen and uses battery. Go to Settings → Notifications and turn off alerts for apps that aren't important. You probably don't need notifications from shopping apps or games.

5. Use Wi-Fi When Available

Wi-Fi uses less battery than cellular data. When you're home, make sure your phone is connected to your Wi-Fi network. If you don't have Wi-Fi at home, ask your internet provider — it may already be included in your plan.

You'd be surprised how many Payson businesses offer senior discounts — and how few people ask about them. We've put together a starter guide to help you save on everything from groceries to dining out.

Groceries

Safeway: Club card members 55+ save 10% on select days (check your local store for current schedule). Bashas': Thank You card provides ongoing savings; ask about senior-specific promotions.

Dining

Many Payson restaurants offer 10-15% senior discounts — but you usually have to ask. Don't be shy. Some national chains with locations in the area offer senior menus or discounts: Denny's (55+), IHOP (55+), and Arby's (55+).

Prescriptions

If you're on Medicare, review your Part D plan during open enrollment every fall. GoodRx (goodrx.com) is a free tool that compares pharmacy prices — you might find the same medication is significantly cheaper at a different pharmacy in town.

Utilities

APS: Offers a limited-income discount program. Call 602-371-7171 to see if you qualify. Phone/Internet: Ask your provider about low-income or senior plans. Many offer discounted rates that aren't advertised.

Know of a senior discount we missed? Email us at editor@therimway.com and we'll add it to next month's list.

Summer electricity bills in Rim Country can be a shock — even at our cooler elevation, air conditioning adds up fast. But a few simple steps now can save you real money when the heat arrives.

Check Your APS Plan

APS offers multiple rate plans, and the one you're on might not be the best fit. Log into your APS account at aps.com or call 602-371-7171 to compare plans based on your actual usage. Switching plans is free.

The Biggest Quick Win: Your Thermostat

Every degree you raise your thermostat above 72°F saves about 3% on your cooling bill. Setting it to 78°F when you're home and 85°F when you're away can cut your cooling costs by 15-20%.

Seal the Leaks

Check the weatherstripping around doors and windows. If you can see daylight or feel a draft, you're paying to cool the outside. A $5 roll of weatherstripping can save $50+ over a summer.

Use Fans First

Ceiling fans cost about 1 cent per hour to run. Air conditioning costs 10-30 cents per hour. Use fans to circulate air and you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher without noticing the difference.

APS Assistance Programs

If you're on a limited income, APS offers discount programs that can reduce your bill by up to 25%. Call 602-371-7171 to see if you qualify. There's no shame in asking — these programs exist to help.

Entertainment doesn't have to break the bank. Rim Country offers more free and low-cost activities than most people realize. Here's what's happening this spring.

Free

Payson Public Library — Free Wi-Fi, book clubs, and regular community events. The library hosts free movie screenings on the second Friday of each month. Check paysonlibrary.com for the current schedule.

Green Valley Park — Walking trails, fishing (Arizona license required), picnic areas, and playground. Open dawn to dusk, every day.

Tonto National Forest trails — Dozens of trails within 30 minutes of Payson. No fee required for most trailheads (some developed sites charge a small fee).

Payson Senior Center — Open to adults 60+. Social activities, games, exercise classes, and congregate lunch daily at noon. Call (928) 474-4874 for the monthly activity calendar.

Under $10

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park — $7 per adult, $4 ages 7-13, free for under 7. Worth every penny.

Payson Farmers Market — Free to browse. Fresh local produce, baked goods, and crafts. Saturday mornings at the Payson Event Center (seasonal — check dates).

Rim Country Museum — Small admission fee, big local history. Located on Main Street in the historic forest ranger's residence.

Know of a free activity we missed? Email editor@therimway.com.

April is the perfect time to start your summer garden in Rim Country, and you don't need to spend a fortune to do it right.

Seeds vs. Starts: A packet of seeds costs $2-4 and produces dozens of plants. Starter plants cost $3-5 each. For tomatoes and peppers, starts make sense (they need a head start at our elevation). For beans, squash, and herbs, seeds are the way to go.

Free Compost: Check with the Town of Payson about mulch and compost availability. Many communities offer free or low-cost compost from municipal yard waste programs.

Water Smart: Mulch around your plants to reduce water needs by up to 50%. Use drip irrigation instead of sprinklers — your plants get more water and your bill stays lower.

The $20 Garden Challenge: With $20, you can buy two tomato starts, one pepper start, a packet of bean seeds, a packet of herb seeds, and a bag of mulch. That's a summer's worth of fresh food for the cost of two fast food meals.

April in Rim Country is hiking perfection — wildflowers are starting, temperatures are ideal, and the trails aren't yet crowded with summer visitors. Here are five hikes worth your time this month, ranging from easy strolls to moderate adventures.

1. Rim Lakes Vista Trail

An easy 1-mile loop near Woods Canyon Lake with stunning views of the Rim. Perfect for a morning walk or bringing visitors. Mostly flat with interpretive signs about local ecology.

2. Horton Creek Trail

A moderate 4-mile out-and-back through Horton Creek canyon. The creek should have good water flow this time of year. Watch for wildflowers along the banks. Bring a picnic for the pools at the turnaround point.

3. Highline Trail (Pine Trailhead)

The classic Rim Country trail. Take the first 2-3 miles from the Pine trailhead for a moderate hike with canyon views. The full trail is 51 miles, but you absolutely don't need to do the whole thing.

4. Tonto Natural Bridge

The world's largest natural travertine bridge is just north of Payson. Several short trails lead to different viewpoints. The Waterfall Trail is steep but rewarding. State park fee applies.

5. Green Valley Park Loop

Right in Payson, this easy 1.5-mile loop around the lake is flat, paved, and perfect for anyone who wants a gentle walk in nature without driving out of town.

Always carry water, tell someone where you're going, and check trail conditions at fs.usda.gov before heading out.

You don't need expensive binoculars or a degree in ornithology to enjoy birdwatching in Rim Country. You just need a quiet spot and a little patience. Our forests, meadows, and waterways host more than 200 species throughout the year.

Where to Start

Green Valley Park: The easiest spot in Payson. Great blue herons, ducks, and red-winged blackbirds are regulars at the lake. Benches make it comfortable for extended watching.

Tonto Creek: Walk along the creek in any accessible area and watch for belted kingfishers diving for fish, canyon wrens calling from the rocks, and the occasional bald eagle overhead.

Mogollon Rim overlooks: Stellar's jays (the loud blue ones) are everywhere. Watch for red-tailed hawks soaring on thermals along the Rim edge. In summer, broad-tailed hummingbirds are common.

What You Need

Honestly? Just your eyes and ears. If you want to take it further, a pair of basic binoculars ($30-50) and the free Merlin Bird ID app from the Cornell Lab will identify birds by their song — just hold up your phone and it tells you what you're hearing.

Spring Highlights

April through June is peak time. Migrating warblers and tanagers pass through. Western bluebirds are nesting. And if you're lucky, you might spot a wild turkey leading a line of poults along a forest road.

Birding is free, quiet, and available every single day. Give it ten minutes on your next walk and see what you notice.

One of the great privileges of living at elevation, away from big-city light pollution, is the night sky. Rim Country offers some of the darkest skies in Arizona, and April has some treats worth stepping outside for.

The Lyrid Meteor Shower (April 21-22)

The Lyrids are one of the oldest known meteor showers, observed for more than 2,700 years. This year's peak falls on the night of April 21 into the morning of April 22. Expect 15-20 meteors per hour under good conditions. Best viewing: after midnight, looking northeast.

Planets This Month

Jupiter is visible in the western sky just after sunset, but it's getting lower each night as it moves toward the sun. Mars is high in the evening sky in the constellation Gemini — look for its reddish tint. Saturn rises in the pre-dawn hours in the east.

How to Watch

Give your eyes at least 15-20 minutes to adjust to the dark. Avoid looking at your phone (or use the red light setting). A reclining lawn chair is ideal for meteor watching — lying back is much more comfortable than craning your neck.

You don't need a telescope. You don't need an app. Just a clear night, a dark spot away from porch lights, and a willingness to look up.

If you want to learn more, the free Stellarium app turns your phone into a star map — point it at any part of the sky and it labels what you're seeing.

If you were driving down Main Street last Tuesday around 7 AM, you know exactly what happened. A bull elk — a big one — decided that the crosswalk in front of the library was the perfect place to stop and consider his life choices.

Traffic backed up in both directions. A few horns honked (from newcomers, obviously). The rest of us rolled down our windows, pulled out our phones, and waited. Because in Rim Country, you don't honk at elk. You wait.

The elk stood there for a solid four minutes, occasionally turning his head to make eye contact with drivers as if to say, "I was here first." He then casually strolled across the street, hopped the curb, and disappeared behind the post office.

"That's the same one that was eating my roses last week," said one nearby shop owner, who asked not to be named because she didn't want the elk to take it personally.

Just another Tuesday in Rim Country.

Got an "Only in Rim Country" moment? We want to hear it. Email editor@therimway.com.

Each month, we ask Rim Country residents a question and share their answers. This month: "What's the best thing about living in Rim Country?"

Linda K., Payson: "The stars. I moved here from Phoenix twelve years ago and I still walk outside every clear night just to look up. You forget what the sky really looks like until you live somewhere like this."

Robert M., Star Valley: "The people. When my wife was sick last year, neighbors we barely knew brought food every day for three weeks. You don't get that in a big city."

Donna S., Pine: "Four real seasons. I love watching the aspens turn in October, the first snow in December, and then spring coming back around. Every month looks different."

James T., Payson: "Honestly? The quiet. I can sit on my porch with coffee and hear absolutely nothing but birds. That's worth more than anything money can buy."

Next month's question: "What's one thing you wish newcomers knew about Rim Country?" Email your answer to editor@therimway.com with "Ask a Neighbor" in the subject line.

A look back at some notable April events in Rim Country history.

April 1882: The first permanent settlers arrived in what would become Payson, drawn by the promise of good grazing land and abundant timber. The settlement was originally called "Green Valley" before being renamed for Senator Louis Edwin Payson of Illinois, who never actually visited.

April 1918: The Payson Ranger Station was established as part of the Tonto National Forest, marking the federal government's first permanent presence in the area. The original station building still stands.

April 1959: Arizona Highway 87 (the Beeline Highway) was completed in its modern alignment, dramatically reducing travel time between Payson and Phoenix. Before the highway, the trip took most of a day over rough mountain roads.

April 1990: The Dude Fire, which would become one of Arizona's most significant wildfires, was still months away but the conditions that fed it — years of drought and dense forest undergrowth — were already being noted by forest service officials that spring.

Know a piece of Rim Country history? Share it with us at editor@therimway.com.

The Payson Senior Center has been serving Rim Country's older adults since 1985, but many residents don't know the full scope of what happens inside those doors every day.

Beyond the well-known Meals on Wheels program (140+ meals delivered daily), the Senior Center offers congregate lunches where seniors gather for a hot meal and social time. Health and wellness programs including exercise classes and health screenings. Social activities and educational programs. Resource referrals for transportation, housing, and healthcare. Volunteer opportunities for community members of all ages.

"People think of us as a place for lunch," says the Center's team. "But we're really a community hub. We're connecting seniors with resources, keeping them engaged, and often we're the safety net that keeps someone living independently."

The Senior Center is located at 514 W. Main Street in Payson and is open Monday through Friday. Congregate lunch is served daily at noon — all adults 60+ are welcome. No reservation needed, no income requirements. Just show up.

To learn more about programs, volunteer opportunities, or to refer a senior who might need services, call (928) 474-4874.