Richard Haddad/Roundup

Michael Stern
Forty-five-year-old Michael Stern is a familiar face in Rim Country. Like many area residents, Stern often juggles several jobs to provide for his family. He has worked at numerous local businesses including two grocery stores, taught in the Payson schools, and served up countless cups of coffee at Starbucks and Circle K. "When you make commitments to your family, you stand by those commitments. That basically means I do what I have to do no matter what - responsibility comes first," he said. "The bills have to be paid." To sum up how he feels about living in Payson, Stern said, "Stranded in paradise has never been so fun."