This roadside cross in Elgin is one of more than 600 crosses that Alvaro Enciso has erected in Southern AZ. Photo by Pat McNamara Five crosses that have recently appeared on both sides of Hwy 82 two miles east of Sonoita and one cross on the east side of Upper Elgin Rd have a story to tell. […]
Pat McNamara
Posted inLocal News
Something New Brewing in Sonoita
Sonoita Heritage Coffee displays their products at a recent Empire Ranch Event. From left: Stephanie Drefs, Kelsey Perez, Mike Wright. Photo by Pat McNamara “Good coffee and a good story just go together,” said Sonoita Bible Church Pastor Mike Wright. His goal for his newest venture, Sonoita Heritage Coffee, located next to the Sonoita Bible Church, […]
Posted inLocal News
Sonoita Resident Running for County Office
Sonoita Resident Throws Her Hat in the Ring for County Office “If you aren’t going to do something about it, don’t complain!” is the mantra of Donna Federici, Independent candidate for Santa Cruz County Supervisor for District 3. A resident of the Sonoita/Elgin area, Federici has decided to indeed “do something about it” and with […]
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Family Tradition Continues at Elgin Club
Brett and Rebecca Smith stand in front of the ECC fireplace that Rebecca’s grandfather Stone Collie and her father Austin Moss built in 1932. Photo by Pat McNamara When Brett Smith, 23, was elected president of the Elgin Community Club (ECC) last June, she became the fifth generation and seventh member of her family to hold […]
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Cowboy Festival Rounds Up Record Crowd
The blacksmithing demonstration was one of many attractions at the Empire Ranch Cowboy Festival. Photo by Pat McNamara A perfect cool, sunny, day welcomed over 1,900 guests to the annual Empire Ranch Cowboy Festival held at the ranch north of Sonoita on Nov 2. Guests were treated to a total of 450 presenters, demonstrators, authors […]
Posted inLocal News
Local Vineyard Branching Out
Olives ripen on the tree in the newly planted olive grove at Lightning Ridge Cellars in Elgin. Photo by Pat McNamara A little four-acre plot of land at Lightning Ridge Cellars in Elgin sat quietly growing weeds as the rest of the acreage was busily producing grapes for the fine Italian wines the vineyard is […]
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Field Station Director Landed ‘Dream Job’
Christina Francois shares her passion for the natural world with visitors to the Research Ranch in Elgin. Photo by Pat McNamara Bugs. Lots of bugs. Who knew such a lowly and frequently squished creature could lead Christina Francois to her dream career as a field station director? Francois doesn’t remember particularly ‘loving’ bugs but her […]
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Clover Buds
Clover Buds ‘Dinosaurs’ invade the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Photo by Pat McNamara These children, aged 5 to 8 years, are members of the Clover Buds, who their leader Julie Gutierrez refers to as ‘Pre 4-H’. The Clover Buds are learning about prehistoric Arizona with visits to the Bisbee mine, dinosaur study and the creation […]
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Ranch Rodeo, A Family Event
A competitor ropes a steer at the Sonoita Ranch Rodeo. Photo by Robert Dorney Back in 2000, thanks to the efforts of Deb and Fred Fellows and Diane Collins, the Sonoita Ranch Rodeo was born. It started small with just a few local teams. At the 19th Sonoita Ranch Rodeo, held Sept. 7, 16 teams […]
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Local Distiller Wins International Award
Gary Ellam holds up a bottle of his award winning rum in the tasting room at his Elgin distillery. Photo by Pat McNamara Elgin, Arizona has, according to local census data, a population of 161. Those unfamiliar with the area might miss downtown Elgin, which is marked by an abandoned, dilapidated gas station, and a […]