The December 2023 issue of the PRT is now live!
Click on the cover below to read the entire issue in PDF format.
You can also read every story from the new issue of the PRT at our website. Here are direct links to a few of the stories…
Developer’s Plans Worry Locals in Patagonia
By Dave Lumia
Resident Lonnie Goff is in a legal dispute with town government over a stalled real estate development in his neighborhood. It’s part of a larger argument about the nature of future growth in the town.
‘Everything Is Free’ at New Wellness Center
By Dottie Farrar
A team of volunteers will work to improve physical and mental well-being in the community at the newly opened Frank Adams Wellness Center in Sonoita.
Bicyclist, County Grader in Collision on Harshaw Road
By Martin Levowitz
It was Loren Mason-Gere’s good luck that a woman in one of the trucks just behind the machine had medical training and first-aid supplies which she quickly deployed.
Panel Hears From South32 on Manganese
By Jay Babcock
The mining company said it is looking to site two processing plants, probably in different locations. A new program to limit exposure of manganese to local communities and the environment is also underway.
International Teachers Join Local Schools
By Dottie Farrar
Unable to find suitable candidates locally, public schools in Elgin and Patagonia are filling teacher vacancies through international recruiting. Here’s in-depth profiles of our schools’ new teachers, hailing from India, Cuba/Mexico and the Philippines.
State Auditor Finds Faults in County Operations
By Kat Crockett
The Arizona Auditor’s report revealed a number of deficiencies in Santa Cruz County administration. “This year we got beat up a little more than normal,” said Supervisor Bruce Bracker.
Christmas Eve at the Kolbes
By Carrie White
Fondly known as the ‘eggnog party,’ the Christmas Eve celebration at the Rail X Ranch was more than a tradition, it was a ‘must do’ annual event.
Patagonia Recycling Set to Return
By Bob Brandt
Thanks to the Town of Patagonia, the community will soon see the return of a drop-off recycling service that actually works.
Postcard Bridges Elgin’s Past and Present
By Carrie White
Terri Basinger Powers got a surprise when she flipped over the 66-year-old postcard of the old Elgin Store she’d purchased for sale on eBay.
150 Served at Community Thanksgiving Dinner
By Dottie Farrar
About 20 volunteers from the Corner Scoop, the Wellness Center and the Vine Church put the free dinner together at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. All the food was donated.
Patagonia Girls Hope to Clear State Tournament Hurdle
By Dave Lumia
“There’s no reason we can’t make it to state,” coach Ralph Padilla said. “If we don’t it’s because something went wrong, someone got injured.”
Busy Schedule Provides Early Lessons for Lobos
By Dave Lumia
With six games in seven days, spread out from Nogales to Bagdad to Tucson, the Lobos were in for some rapid-fire early season lessons.
Migration Quilts on Display in Tucson
By Maggie Urgo
Quilts created from migrant children’s artwork—and response ‘welcome’ quilts from Patagonia school children—are on display now at the Arizona History Museum.
A Rodent’s Revenge
By Dave Lumia
Making the transition from suburban to country living hasn’t exactly been a comedy of errors. More like a series of educational misadventures.
Give
By Cassina Farley
I miss when it was easier to ask a stranger to dinner. Or to trust that lonely couple who live in their Buick to spend the night at your mother’s house on Christmas. I miss when it was okay to leave food and water out for migrants.
A Bloody Pendulum
By Martin Levowitz
Bear with me, just once more. I promise not to mention Jews again for one full year.
Levowitz’s Criticism of Israel Unfair, Indefensible
By Stuart Brody
What Mr. Levowitz is really saying is that Israel bears blame for the monstrous massacre committed against it.
The Magic of the Geminid Meteor Shower
By Harold Meckler
For two days in December, the Geminids may deliver a wonderful counterbalance of amazement against all the things that weigh us down.
A Trip to the Silver Leaf Mine
By Keith Krizan
An exploration of an old digging in the Santa Rita Mountains includes a visit to the old headquarters for a curious hydraulic mining operation.
Mercurial Nature
By Vince Pinto
What do various species of wildlife do to keep their body temperatures at optimal levels when the mercury plummets?
The Elgin Cemetery
By Alison Bunting
A census of those likely buried at the Elgin Cemetery, which was probably established in 1912. Approximately 19 graves are evident at the cemetery, but only four have headstones.