A mobile home burst in to flames shortly after arriving at Patagonia RV Park on November 25.
The vehicle’s owners, Sally and Eddie Mineo, were hooking their RV up to the park’s utilities when the fire started.
They had driven from Los Angeles for a family reunion and several family members were gathered in the RV when they began to see smoke.
The vehicle was quickly consumed by flames and was completely destroyed, but no one was injured in the incident.
Errors and Omissions
In a November article, PRT referred to Fabian Espinoza as the Valedictorian of PUHS class of 1997. In fact, Megan Yourgules was class Valedictorian that year. We apologize to Megan for our error.
PARA Receives Non-Profit Status
The Patagonia Area Resource Alliance (PARA) has recently been granted 501(c)(3) status by the IRS, which allows PARA to directly receive tax deductible donations. This is another step in PARA’s ongoing mission to protect the natural resources of the Patagonia area.
In 2011, Wildcat Silver hosted meetings in town discussing their long term plans for an open pit silver mine in the Patagonia Mountains. Primarily concerned about the safety of our community’s drinking water, a group of Patagonia area residents formed PARA in the summer of 2011. Save the Scenic Santa Ritas provided initial guidance and became the fiscal sponsor which allowed PARA to receive tax deductible donations.
PARA’s mission to protect and preserve our drinking water is now more important than ever with the emergence of five foreign mining companies with plans to start mineral explorations on public land in the Patagonia Mountains.
We are fortunate to have a group of amazingly committed community members and generous donors supporting our mission. Please visit our booth at the Creative Spirit Artists Gallery for additional information or our website at www.PatagoniaAlliance.org
It Was a Very Good Year
It’s been a busy couple of months for Brandon and Audrey Doles. Their first home purchase closed at the end of October, and less than a week later, their first child, Logan, was born. Logan arrived at Holy Cross Hospital, on November 2 at 11:36 p.m., weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces. Audrey, who together with Brandon owns and operates the Gathering Grounds, says she will probably take six months away from work to be with her newborn son. As a young couple, the Doles had to overcome a few hurdles to secure a loan and become homeowners. But they managed, and will end the year with a new baby and a new home. Congratulations to you both!
Where to Park Your Horse
A new hitching rail was installed in front of the Patagonia Town Council office on November 13. The project was a joint effort by several of Patagonia’s horse riders, who got approval from the town in June, and combined resources to come up with the materials and equipment needed. Cindy and Kim Holt, and Kim’s husband Tony Purifie, dug the postholes and put together the railing logs—which were donated by the town.
Joint Effort Saves Paton’s Property
Paton’s landmark birding property gates will remain open for birders. American Bird Conservancy, Tucson Audubon and Victor Emanuel Nature Tours joined forces in an effort to purchase the Paton property and together contributed about a third of the purchase amount. The remainder of the purchase price was the goal of a fundraising effort that was successfully concluded on October 15. Much of that was provided by many hundreds of generous birders. Fundraising included the auction of an original painting of a Violet-crowned hummingbird [shown at right] by noted author and artist, David Sibley. The painting sold for $1,660. The sale of the property is scheduled to close in February of 2014. Once the sale is complete, Tucson Audubon will assume ownership and management responsibilities of the Paton property and will maintain an office there. The organization is currently raising funds for some necessary maintenance to the property–to include plumbing and work on the roof. To find out more go to www.tucsonaudubon.org.
2014 PRCF Grant Applications
The Patagonia Regional Community Foundation will begin accepting grant proposals from nonprofit organizations beginning January 2. The proposals for project funding of up to $5,000 must be submitted by January 30 at 5:00 p.m.
Grants will be awarded through a competitive process with input from the PRCF Advisory Board, comprised of community leaders with a wide range of expertise. To be considered for grant funding, nonprofit organizations must have an active organizational profile on www.azfoundation.org. Information about the application process and assistance with creating an organizational profile will be presented during a free Nonprofit Grant Workshop to be held on Tuesday, January 7, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Patagonia Senior Center, 100 Quiroga Lane, Patagonia.
To access the compete set of grant guidelines and eligibility requirements and to submit a funding proposal. Visit www.azfoundation.org. Grants & Operations Coordinator Rebecca Pickett is available at 520-505-3678 or by email at rpickett@azfoundation.org to answer grant-related questions and provide additional information.
Women’s Club Raffle Winner
Gisela M. Halley of Sierra Vista, Arizona won this beautiful quilt in a drawing held at Cady Hall in Patagonia on November 7. The raffle was sponsored by the Patagonia Women’s Club, who sincerely thank everyone who bought tickets and helped make this fund raiser so very successful.
Patagonia’s Annual Holiday Art Walk
…is always held on the two days following Thanksgiving. This year that’s November 29 and 30. Now in its ninth year, the two-day event draws people from as far away as Phoenix.
The tradition began with a venture by Linda Chase, owner of Painted House Studio. Just before the holidays one year, she rounded up some of the town’s artists and hosted a three-day art sale in her studio. It was so successful that it became an annual event. Regina Medley, owner of Mesquite Grove Gallery, took on the job of organizing it for most of the years that followed, and it became known as “Mostly Mainstreet.” Local businesses got involved, hosting artists in their storefronts, and several artists held open studios.
This year, Artwalk is being put on by Creative Spirit Artists Gallery. Twenty-one local businesses are participating, and six artists will be set up in the large yard to the side of Mesquite Grove Gallery. Some of the locations will offer complimentary beverages or snacks.
You’ll see a lot of local residents enjoying along with the visitors, walking off Thanksgiving dinner, and doing some holiday gift shopping.
Artwalk serves as a reminder of how many talented artists and craftsmen and women make their home in this small, high-mountain town. It will be open both days from 11a.m. to 4 p.m.
We moved here some time ago
and here, we know we’ll stay,
with friendly friends and neighbors
we would be fools to stray.
We came from the big city
with macrocosm strain
to this microcosm village
with far less “fast lane” pain.
We hardly lock our doors now
and hope we’ll never have to
though “no man is an island”,
this newfound peace will do.
Make no mistake about it
this is not paradise
but even with its problems
Patagonia’s more than nice.
Perhaps that’s why old friends
from states so far away
come awhile to visit
and always want to stay!
— Lynne Anderson
DVD Watch
PRT has asked some local film buffs to share a few of their favorite DVDs. Below, a review by Ann Gosline and Jerry Rodman, of one of their favorite films from 2007.
Looking for a light, uplifting well-acted movie you may have never heard of? Try “Lars and the Real Girl.”
The short description goes something like this: in need of companionship, Lars discovers Bianca, a clear-skinned beauty, a dazzling brunette with a knockout figure made of life-like material. She is quiet, an apparent good listener, but reluctant to speak.
Do not jump to the conclusion that this signals a plot of delusional man buys a life-size sex doll and falls in love. This is a tender movie about family members and the community coming together to support a young man who has chosen a unique way to break through his isolation.
Ryan Gosling plays Lars, a wounded and vulnerable young man who finds human touch physically painful. The cast includes the wonderful Emily Mortimer (you’ll recognize her) as his loving sister-in-law who is determined to bring him into the family.
The equally wonderful Patricia Clarkson (“The Station Agent,” “Pieces of April,” “Good Night and Good Luck”) plays a doctor who sets the family and community straight on how to support Lars and Bianca. Clarkson is brilliant, her understated performance mesmerizing.
The community’s role in helping Lars heal is humorous and heartfelt. Could this have happened in Patagonia?
‘Lars and the Real Girl,” quirky and wonderful.
Alan Woods Dies
Former Patagonia resident Alan Woods died on November 3 at age 44. He was found in his home in Vail, and the Medical Examiner’s Office in Tucson has stated that his death was due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Woods lived in Patagonia for nearly ten years before moving to Vail earlier this year. In 2010, he was arrested and sentenced following an incident in Patagonia, but was released after nine months in jail, when the judge ruled that the Patagonia Marshal’s office had concealed information about the credentials of one of the arresting officers. Woods later sued he town, and the former Town Marshal, Ed Dobbertin. He was awarded an undisclosed sum.
