Next Up for the Pool
Dear Editor,
With respect to the article “Aquatic Center Receives Legacy Foundation Grant,” in the PRT’s March issue, I would like to give everyone an update and a heartfelt thank you to our community for your generosity and funding support for the innovative idea to purchase a heater to possibly extend the Patagonia Pool season. In addition to the $43,000 Legacy Foundation Grant, the Patagonia Regional Aquatic Center (501 C3) had to raise $57,000 as the match prior to the advancing of the grant funds. This seemed an impossible feat, but we did it!!
This is how: You and all of the pool supporters remembered the first time you jumped in cold water on a hot summers’ day. You believe the Patagonia Pool is an important community asset and you are willing to save the pool and contribute time, money, and personal strength to get the job done. Private donors contributed every amount from $10.00 to $10,000 in cash donations. Many people deposited coins in donation jars (totaling $3,000), or volunteered to contribute baked goods, excellent yard sale items, and countless hours working at events. We are forever grateful! We are also working on additional grants that we will be telling you about in another month.
So where are we now? We began the first stage of the Heater Project with Todd Norton Plumbing on March 13-18. We would like to thank Kenny Hays, School Superintendent, Starr and Todd Norton, Kelsey Norton, Quinton Gough, John Wallace, Chelsea Gay, Dakota Norton, Kyle Norton, Everado Gonzales, Pancho Gonzales, and Ezekial Gonzales. We would also like to thank the Ovens of Patagonia for the delicious lunches.
PRAC is completing our fundraising efforts for the 2023 operating budget; $70,000 with $40,000 left to raise! Yet another impossible feat? We are accepting donations and yes, we can do this!
Contact info:
PRAC, P.O. Box 1052 Patagonia, AZ 85624
Terri Schindel
Patagonia
Meeting Caputo
Walking into The Gathering Grounds I look at the tables to the left. Is that Philip Caputo, the part-time Patagonia resident? What season is this? I know he spends half the year in Connecticut or Rhode Island or one of those northeast states I’ve never been to. I check out the Little Free Library in back. I think this is where I found that book of his where he trailered an Airstream from Key West to Alaska. Reaffirmed my conviction to never get into the RV life.
Riding my gravel bike up along Harshaw Creek, doing one of my favorite bicycling app time trials, I sometimes wonder if this or that property belongs to the author. This is because he not so long ago wrote in the Patagonia Regional Times about a literary friend who lived at Rocking Chair Ranch. And does Phil have an issue with all the gravel bicyclers swarming up to San Rafael Valley?
This mild obsession originated in my graduate school days back in the late 1970s. I was working full-time at Raiford State Prison (rotating evening and midnight shifts, always weekends) while taking a full course load at the University of Florida. It seemed like I barely had enough time to sleep and, actually, one time I overslept and missed an entire shift at the prison. Caputo’s memoir, “A Rumor of War,” had just come out. If my memory is correct, it is the only book I read during those years that wasn’t a textbook or required reading. It was one of the first books to take a critical view of the Vietnam War. To me, it was “required” reading. I always wanted to thank him for helping me gain an appreciation of our veterans.
So, when Caputo spoke March 25 at the Patagonia Library about his upcoming novel, to be published later this year, I thanked him.
Robert D. Dorney
Sonoita
Film Asks Big Questions
“Biodiversity in the Sky Islands” left a deep impression on me. After viewing this amazing portrayal of the incredible, abundant, bio-diversity of this region, I felt such gratitude, having gained a broader understanding and an even deeper connection to this Land of Life that surrounds us here in Patagonia.
The day before I had driven up Harshaw Road to the South32 mining area to see for myself what was happening above ground. Reaching the hub of mining activity, after viewing eight miles of wild natural beauty, forests, budding plant life, wild turkeys and deer, I experienced a great sadness. Destruction, construction, mountain tops leveled, drill rigs reaching into the sky where once natural contours and hillsides resided. Mammoth machinery including backhoes, excavators, bulldozers lining the road or dotting the hillsides. Visible to the eye was what is no more. Considering current and proposed action below ground brought a heaviness to my heart.
The film asks us to consider what truly enhances and sustains life. For me, it is an essential question we all need to consider. As stewards of the land and all its inhabitants, it is essential to Life itself.
Jacqui Treinan
Patagonia
Bravo to Human Society
A week ago I adopted Chemina, a loving, affectionate senior cat. She came to me from the Humane Society in Nogales where she was well cared for but desperate for a quiet home to spend the remainder of her life.
The Nogales no-kill shelter is such a wonderful, sorely needed facility, staffed by dedicated employees as well as a number of volunteers.
They offer a two-week foster program that allows potential adopters to be certain their dog or cat, puppy or kitten, is a good fit for both of them.
A busy thrift store is maintained, always accepting donations. The dogs and cats welcome gifts of food as well as cash to help maintain the invaluable shelter.
Santa Cruz County’s homeless cats and dogs, while they await adoption, are lucky for the Humane Society and its hard-working employees and volunteers.
Chris Gore
Patagonia
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Errors and Omissions
In the March 2023 issue of the PRT, it was erroneously stated in “Glimpses From the Past” that John and Emily McIntyre had six daughters. The couple had three daughters. Thanks to Sharøn Looper Polomé, granddaughter of John McIntyre, for this correction.
In that same issue, in the article about the Ukrainian fundraiser, the PRT reported that the Santa Cruz County Fair and Rodeo Association donated the use of Pioneer Hall for the event. An anonymous donor paid for the use of the Hall.
We apologize for these errors.