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The PRT Newsletter for the Week of Dec. 20, 2023

THE PRT is proud to showcase the Circle Z Ranch, our Premier Sponsor of the PRT E-newsletter for 2024. The Circle Z Ranch in Patagonia, where “authentic tradition meets unspoiled adventure,” understands the importance of community driven news and the need to share vital, up-to-date information with our readers. Circle Z Ranch is proud to show their support of the PRT by sponsoring our weekly e-newsletter. We are grateful for their partnership. If your business would like to be featured as a newsletter section sponsorship partner of the PRT, please click here for more info.

Community News

Elgin School Play

Photo By Marion Vendituoli The Missoula Children’s Theater and the Elgin School students shine in their performance of “Blackbeard the Pirate” performed on Dec. 16.

New Incoming Superintendent for Sonoita School District

Photo by Marion Vendituoli Daniel Erickson, who has been hired as the new superintendent / principal for the Sonoita School district, answers questions from the community at a meeting held Dec. 5 at the Elgin School. The Sonoita School District board voted on Dec. 5 to hire Daniel Erickson as the new superintendent for the Sonoita District and as principal for the Elgin School. Currently, Erickson, a resident of Tucson, is serving as the superintendent / principal of the Bowie, AZ school district. He will be taking over for Mary Faley, who is retiring in June.

Santa Visits Small Town Christmas in Sonoita

Walter John Gavid, of Sonoita, gets ready to hand Santa the letter he wrote him asking for a bearded dragon for Christmas at The Sonoita Small Town Christmas event held at the Sonoita Fairgrounds on Dec.16. 

Winter Solstice

The winter solstice, or December solstice, will be Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, at 8:27pm MST, marking the first day of winter. As the days get shorter and colder, the winter solstice approaches. The winter solstice is an astronomical event that occurs annually when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun. The winter solstice is the shortest day and the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It also marks the official beginning of winter. The cultural and historical importance of this event is evident in traditions and festivals worldwide. Embracing the solstice offers an expression of the changing seasons.

Remember When???

The PRT has been hard at work placing online over 2,500 articles, photographs, artwork and poems from past years’ print editions. Take a walk down memory lane with this 2014 article…

Oz Comes to Elgin

By Beth Lorber

January 1, 2014

A very condensed version of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ came to the stage in the Elgin school gymnasium courtesy of traveling thespians from Missoula, Montana who worked with local student performers ranging in age from first to eighth graders.

Continue reading…

Join the Press Core!

Click here for our updated list of all the locations across eastern Santa Cruz County where you can find a free copy of the latest issue of the PRT print edition. The PRT is published on the first Friday of every month (except July and September) and is available at these distribution points while supplies last.

Submitting Community Events to the PRT

The PRT is committed to sharing details and information about upcoming community events with our readers at no cost in our weekly e-newsletter. Due to the large number of submissions, the PRT will no longer be able to post each and every poster in our newsletter. We will share a link to your event page or poster, or a brief description of each event. Each week we will post one or two event flyers. Please share your events via email at least one week prior to the event date. Poster submissions require a JPEG format along with a brief typed description about the event in your email to Nisa Talavera, Assistant Editor at prtasted@gmail.com. All submissions for the Wednesday e-newsletter must be submitted by Monday, 5pm.

Upcoming Community Events

Recycling Coming! Household recycling behind the Patagonia Post Office starting on Dec 21, 23 – (and ongoing Thursdays thereafter) 8:30-11:30am. Due to contamination in the past, the town of Patagonia is restarting recycling on a limited basis. Drive up, drop your stuff with a town employee or volunteer and be on your way. A flyer for acceptable items will be published next week. Donations appreciated.

Jan. 7: 12 – 3pm Edge Beading Class at the Patagonia Creative Arts Association. Click here to see flyer.

Holiday Services

Dec 24 – Christmas Eve Services – * 6 – 7pm – Vine Church – Candlelight Service ALL WELCOME – Cookie Reception following. The evening will feature the Community Christmas Choir! More info please text/call 602-292-1616

* 6pm Cowboy Church – Sonoita – Candlelight Service 520-455-5000

Live Music and Events

The Cafe In Sonoita Dec. 22: – Music by Clay Koweek.

AZ Hops and Vines Winery Dec. 23: 1 – 4pm Keila and Mike LIVE.

SCFPA – Benderly Series Concerts and Events Dec. 23: 3pm – Holiday Carol Sing – Benderly-Kendall Opera House. Carols, Cookies and Cider. Everyone is welcome.

Patagonia Lumber Co. Dec. 24: – 3:30 – 5:30pm (New Time)  Holiday Music by the Patagonia Minstrels.

Live at the Sage Stage –Autumn Sage Vineyards Jan. 6: 1 – 4pm Music By Warren Young.

Local Library Events

The Sonoita Library is closed for renovations. The re-open date will be announced sometime in the beginning of 2024.

For Monthly Events at the Patagonia Library, click here

Community Interest Items

Click here to complete the survey in English. Click here to complete this survey in Spanish.

Every Wednesday 12 – 3pm at the Patagonia Art Center – Crafting Circle. All welcome, bring your own supplies.

WINTER HOURS NEW TIME!! SCFPA Presents “Zoom Bachs”- Body Moves to Classics – designed to experience and enjoy classical music with movement. Sessions are offered in the courtyard at the center on Thursdays – 9 – 9:30 a.m. For questions – scfpa@scfpapresents.org

8:00a.m. – Every Sunday Community Family Bike Ride. Meet in front of the Patagonia Lumberyard.

Join the Santa Cruz County Democrats for enlightening talks every 3rd Friday of each month 12 – 1pm. Full details and the Nogales location will be provided. Click here to view more details. The Santa Cruz County Democratic Party LUNCH AND LEARN will be taking a holiday break in December but will resume in 2024 at noon on the 3rd Friday of each month. Special Event at the Tin Shed Theater – Jan. 7: 12pm and Feb 9: 3pm. “The Janes” an award-winning documentary. Joined by Heather Booth, one of the original “Janes”, following the screening for a Zoom question and answer period. Refreshments will be served. Suggested donation for the event is $10.

Community Employment Opportunities

SEFD is hiring a Captain/PM. Click here to see more details about the position.

Community Farmers Market Schedule

Patagonia Farmers and Crafts Market – Thursdays 10am-12pm by Red Mountain Foods. Sonoita Farmers Market – Saturday Mornings 9am-12pm at the Sonoita Post Office parking lot (NW corner of Hwy 82/83)   Sierra Vista Farmers Market – Thursday 10am-2pm at Veteran’s Memorial Park. Click here for more info. Nogales “Little” Mercado – Fridays 4-7pm 163 Morley Ave, Nogales. Click here for more info.

Local Church Events and Schedules

Canelo Cowboy Church

St. Therese Parish in Patagonia

Sonoita Hills Church

The Vine Church Sonoita

Patagonia United Methodist Church

Sonoita Bible Church

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