Community Event a Success Despite Cancellations

Dear Patagonians, 

By now, most everyone’s well aware that the recent ‘Leaving Home: Migrations Through the Eyes of Children’ project was curtailed by the COVID-19 crisis, but not before significant gains were made. 

Along with Voices from the Border, “Leaving Home” was co-sponsored by Borderlands Restoration Network, Casa Alitas, Gathering Grounds, Global Arts, No More Deaths, Patagonia Creative Arts Association, Patagonia Library, Patagonia Youth Enrichment Center, and Velvet Elvis and supported by dozens of volunteers. 

What started with an exhibit of art work created by children of asylum staying at Casa Alitas Welcome Center in Tucson, and displaying the plight of migrant children shapeshifted into a ten-day series of events. 

First and foremost, I want to acknowledge my teammates: Carole Broadfoot, Deb Goff, Robin Kulibert, Ruth Ann LeFebvre and Maggie Urgo.

Ninety-plus people, businesses and organizations mobilized to make this exposition possible. 

One hundred local students and teachers participated in special pre-opening classes at the Art of Asylum exhibit, experiencing lessons in empathy and belonging facilitated by co-curator and early childhood educator, Gale Hall. Huge thanks to Cassina Farley and Jessie Beebe for being instrumental in making this possible. 

Journee Hayes brought poetry students through the exhibit and challenged them to write original poetry in response to what they saw, and what they felt in reaction to it. Their poetry was shared in a moving tribute at the Celebration of the Human Family Gathering on Sunday, March 15. Very special thanks to Hayes and students, Arriana Ochoa, Reyna Ochoa, Lauren Fletcher, Nicholas Botz, and Russell B. Sherman and deep gratitude to the String Benders, Zach Farley, Pastor Tom Jelinek, Robin Kulibert, Gary Nahban, Alxe Noden, Anesa Miller, Carolyn Shafer and Father Alex Tigga for their thoughtful and original contributions.

It’s worth noting here that the curators of the Art of Asylum project intend to continue to travel with this exhibit after the stop-gap of COVID-19. Patagonia helped create the template for what the future may hold for this exhibit.

I look forward to a celebratory night of music and dancing at La Mision de San Miguel when we are able to reschedule the benefit concert.

Gratefully,

India Aubry

Kudos to the PRT

The COVID-19 crisis has turned our world upside down. As it didn’t come with a “how-to” manual, we are dependent on up-to date information to navigate its perils. Kudos to the staff and management of the Patagonia Regional Times for making this life-altering journey bearable. 

In times like these, knowledge is power and our only defense against the invisible, and your timely county health information and operational hours of restaurants, stores, schools and churches is critical to keeping our society functioning.

Please know that our community is grateful for the tireless work you are doing to keep us connected, strong and safe.

Donna Federici

Sonoita

PYEC Thanks Donors for Support

On behalf of the Patagonia Youth Enrichment Center board and youth, I say THANK YOU! Thank you for the acts of kindness in support, encouragement and donations that the youth center has been receiving during the COVID19 closure. 

Our community meal distribution program would not be possible without the generous support of the Sonoita/Elgin/Patagonia community, our friends and family, and grants from the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona and Arizona Community Foundation. 

I am humbled. 

Respectfully, 

Anna Coleman

PYEC Director

Wear Your Masks

I have taken note that many people who venture out to shop, get their mail or run other errands still do not wear masks or practice social distancing. Men especially seem loathe to follow these two simple recommendations of our top public health officials. GUYS, GET OVER IT!!! 

Whatever your reason– you believe it’s sissy, it’s inconvenient, you think you’re not at risk, or you don’t want to offend others by insisting they keep their distance– consider this: You may not fear the coronavirus yourself but this is not just about you. 

This is about the welfare of the community. This much is true: If the majority adopts the recommended social precautions, it will be much easier for everyone to adopt them. Then we could all get through this sooner and lessen the risk of a devastating second wave. Everybody in, nobody out.

As this letter is written, this virus has already taken the lives of over 50,000 Americans, many of them, in my opinion, victims of a culture of apathy, ignorance or downright obstinance. Let us not be the cause of needless death and suffering because we have failed to recognize that “no man is an island.”

Bob Brandt

Patagonia

Errors & Omissions

In the April issue of the PRT, the photo credit on page 16 of musicians performing in the gazebo on March 15 was incorrectly listed. The photo was taken by Tomas Jonsson.

In the oped submitted by Bob Jacobson in that same issue, it was incorrectly stated that the library was not a ‘hot spot’ for internet. The Library, though closed, is providing free WiFi outside the building for conventional access to the internet.

Our apologies for these errors