Farewell to Betty Myers
Betty Myers, one of Patagonia’s most prolific volunteers, has sold her house and is moving to Ashland, Oregon. Her services to the charitable and non-profit organizations in the Patagonia area are innumerable and include her years of service for the Senior Citizens, PRCF, CHOP, PRT and The tennis Fundraiser. Kelly Fleming says, “Betty has been an important asset to the community and treasured friend, unfailingly good-natured and a terror on the tennis court.” She will be sorely missed by all those who had the good fortune to know her. Here at the PRT, we are sorry to see her go, but wish her well in her new and very fortunate community. There will be a going away party for Betty at the Community Center on October 19.
Making a Miracle
Tom Cummings, a lifelong member of the Santa Cruz ranching community, is waiting for a much needed liver transplant. Tom’s liver disease was discovered during a routine checkup and subsequent treatment, which was not successful, left Tom with the need for a medical miracle of a liver transplant.
On Sunday, October 27 at the county fairgrounds, you can help make this possible. Let’s Make a Miracle is an event that will include a barbeque dinner, a live auction, a boutique shop, a quilt raffle, a silent auction, music and fun. The activities will begin at noon and go into the evening.
Friends and family of Tom, who have formed a group which they call Miracle Workers, are putting on this October event. The family is also working with the non-profit organization HelpHOPELive, which is dedicated to helping raise funds for transplant and catastrophic injury patients. The funds raised will all go to the surgery costs and medication costs for Tom.
HelpHOPELive holds a four-star rating with Charity Navigator. Donations are tax deductible. For more information See HelpHOPELive.org, click on find a patient box and enter Tom Cummings. Being part of a miracle is rewarding and fun. Call Joyce Rosenbach at 520 642 8399 or Janice Johnson 520 287 7882 to be part of this miracle.
The Patagonia Museum
will meet on Saturday, October 12, in the Patagonia Library. Historian Mike Anderson will be the guest speaker. His topic will be “Posses and Politics: Law Enforcement of Southern Arizona in the 1800s.”
Prior to the meeting, a walking tour of historic Patagonia sites will commence at 9 AM in front of the railroad depot, 310 McKeown Ave. The tour will be completed before the start of the meeting. Another tour will be conducted on Sunday at the same time and location. The Patagonia Museum will host a workday at the Lochiel Schoolhouse on Saturday October 26 from 9AM to 1PM. Please bring water, lunch, gloves and tools if available. Up-to-date information is available on our web site: www.thepatagoniamuseum.org. For more information contact German Quiroga at 343-5641 or Ralph Schmitt at 394-2732.
Help With Senior Dental and Vision Costs
The Senior Citizens of Patagonia, through a grant from Patagonia Regional Foundation, is offering help with dental and vision costs.
Who is eligible? Anyone over 65, has an income of less then $21,576.00 (single) or $27,195 (married,) and has no vision or dental insurance. If you are 65 or older and on Arizona Health Care Containment System, you are automatically eligible.
See Erika at the senior center between the hours of 10 am to 2 pm Monday through Friday for more details and an application.
Each eligible applicant can receive up to $200.00 to use for vision costs, and up to $500.00 for dental. You can get both. The center will also provide a ride to your medical appointments.
They’re B-a-a-a-c-k!
Many of you have remarked on the resurgence of drones (correctly called Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or UAS) above us in recent weeks. For more information about these noisy machines, refer to our Nov. 2012 article, “About Those DRONES,” in the PRT online archives : patagoniaregionaltimes.com/2012/11/about-those-drones.html. Questions about the UAS flying out of Ft. Huachuca can be directed to the Ft. Huachuca Office of Public Affairs, Angie Moncur, at 520-533-1850, or angela.1.moncur2.civ@mail.mil
More information about aircraft noise can be found at http://www.noisequest.psu.edu/
— Elizabeth Zinn
Docents Needed
Journey Stories, a Museum on Main Street project of the Smithsonian Institution and the Arizona Humanities Council, is designed to connect us through stories with those who came before and whose curiosity and hunger for a better life have led us to where we are today—as individuals, as Americans.
When Patagonia hosts this traveling exhibit from January 4, through February 16, 2014, Cady Hall will be transformed into our own little branch of the Smithsonian and The Patagonia Library will need docents with an interest in history to enliven the experience for visitors. You are invited to come on board for what will surely be one of the year’s most excellent adventures!
For project information go to: www.museumonmainstreet.org/journeystories. For information on becoming a docent, email Paisley McGuire at paisleymcguire@yahoo.com, or call PK McMahon, at 394-0101.
There will be docent orientation on Monday, November 4, at 7pm at the library.
The Subject Is Jobs
Are you unemployed, under-employed, or looking for other employment opportunities? Come to a presentation by Santa Cruz County One Stop Career Center at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 10 at Cady Hall in Patagonia. You’ll receive information about programs and services available to Santa Cruz County residents that provide tools and resources to maximize earning potential. There is no charge to attend the presentation.
SCC One Stop is a single point of entry to services and programs that prepare individuals for employment, and these programs are funded by the US Department of Labor through the Workforce Investment Act.
For more information, contact Carolyn Shafer at 394-0252
Senior Scam Prevention
Tuesday, Oct. 29, 9 to 11AM at the Patagonia Community Center, 100 Quiroga Lane. Learn about resources to keep you and your assets safe from staff of the Attorney General’s Office. Presentations by representatives of AARP and the County Sheriff’s Office. RSVP to adalessandro@azleg.gov or 800 call 352-8404 X65342
Patagonia Lake Activities
The Visitor Center at Patagonia Lake State Park will open for the season on Friday, October 18. Hours are 8:30 until 4 PM. Come for information about hiking, birding, the lake and the area. Displays of animals, plants and geology. Children’s corner. Junior Rangers on weekends.
Sign up for Saturday and Sunday pontoon boat rides: Avian tours 8:45 and 10:00; Lake Discovery tours 11:15; Twilight tours (time varies). Reservations for boat tours required. Call 520-287-2791 after Oct 15th. Cost $5 per person per tour. Visitor Center closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Friday bird walks will begin Nov 1.
October Guided Hikes
Matt Killeen, manager of Nature Conservancy Patagonia-Sonoita Preserve will guide two hikes near Patagonia. No reservations required. Bring water, a snack and watch the weather for appropriate clothing. No dogs please. For more information call 520-455-5016.
Oct. 12, Sat., 9 AM – Geoffrey Platts Trail. Enjoy a wide variety of native grasses in the rolling foothills and drainages at the base of the Santa Rita Mountains north of Patagonia. Moderate difficulty consisting of up and downs for 3 miles. Go north on Fourth Avenue (Patagonia) to Blue Haven Road, turn left. Look for trail signs on right side (0.5 mile before Visitor Center). Parking is limited.
Oct. 19, Sat., 5:30PM – Nash Parcel Trail. Walk in moonlight to the Patagonia Cemetery through Nature Conservancy property. Trail starts near the of west/south end of Mckeown Street in Patagonia where it intersects Hwy 82. Park across the street at picnic table. Easy walk, about 1 mile round trip. Bring flashlight, water, and a sense of adventure.
Your Post Office Garden Needs You
For many years, the Pimeria Alta Garden Club spent one day a month on maintenance of the Post Office garden and grounds. In December of 2012, the Garden Club disbanded, and since then the number of members who have volunteered to continue the job of maintaining and watering has slowly dwindled, to the point that no one is taking on this task. If you are interested in helping to keep our post office grounds looking good by volunteering one day a month to water, weed and prune the surrounding area, please see Jackie in the post office.