When Arizonans try to escape the heat, they change climates and altitudes by heading up north to Rim Country. Barely two hours from Phoenix, Arizona are some towns terraced into the mountains. Payson, up the circuitous State Route 87, is the largest town with other towns clustered a few miles away.
Strawberry
Strawberry, charmingly named, has a much smaller population (in 2007 – only 1,000-plus!) and has a few amenities. According to http://www.city-data.com/city/Strawberry-Arizona.html, Strawberry residents are older, richer and have more expensive homes than the median Arizona population.
One tourist magnet with some charm is the Strawberry School, the “oldest standing school in Arizona.” According to a representative of the Pine/Strawberry Archeological and Historical Society, the school was almost razed when a developer bought a large tract in the area. A local informed the crew that was about to raze the school as they were removing the roof, that the building was the old school house. The developer decided to spare the school and the roof was rebuilt.
Strawberry School - the "Oldest Standing School in Arizona "
The original building’s walls were constructed in 1885 with logs that surround a one-room area dominated with a wood-burning stove. The historical society rep commented that the old wooden desks were not the original furnishings. Instead, tables were used.
Closed in 1916, the school is a reminder of what schools were like a century ago. However, the furnishings were considered more opulent than was normal with wainscoting, wallpaper, slate on the wall as a blackboard, a world globe, an organ, a dictionary and a clock. The school was also a meeting location and social center.
Interior of the one-room Strawberry School
For many in the area, the school was part of their heritage, so residents were integral in having it declared a Historical Monument in 1981.
There is no charge to view the school, but a donation is requested.
Pine
Another small town with a lot of activity the weekend we visited is Pine. Again, as in Strawberry, the median age and income levels are higher than the median for Arizona. The population tallies just under 2,000. Can we say, “retirement community”?
An arts and crafts fair was sprawled out along the road as well as in a community hall. The variety seemed to be strongly focused on food. However, we enjoyed the crafts and most especially our chat with Bob Gleason, a basket weaver, who was weaving as we spoke.
Bob Gleason weaves baskets right in front of your eyes.
Bob is from Phoenix, but enjoys demonstrating his craft, which he finds relaxing and has recently begun more elaborate baskets. The colors and craftsmanship are top notch. The materials are rattan and can be extremely light, but sturdy. Bob’s business, with the URL of bobsbasketcase.intuitwebsites.com, (602-317-0644), shows he has a sense of humor. He has to with some of the dumb questions that people ask – “Who makes the baskets? –He does – “I’m making one now!” (I’m sure he’d like to tell people to pay attention.)
Another crafter, Ron Lepore with Melted Bottles (928-443-8865), uses recycled bottles to make very attractive serving pieces with knives attached. Great for serving cheese, crackers, fruit and other edibles, the pieces show the whimsy of the bottles he recovers from peoples’ discards.
Ron Lepore exhibited his recycled "Melted Bottles" - great for serving and gifts
Other items sold included emu meat, quilts, and other attractive art.
When we finished, we stopped at the Gingerbread House for some ice cream. At the old-fashioned style soda fountain, the flavors were great (I had black cherry cordial and my husband had cookies and cream).
Gingerbread House - ice cream treats and collectibles
After we ate every bite of the ice cream and waffle cone, we headed to Payson.
Next week… We’ll give you a short tour of Payson, home of rodeos and other pastimes.
Coming soon! We will be launching a new site for all of you Couch Potatoes out there – who want to get up and get going! More soon…
