New Street Piano a ‘No Excuses’ Gift to Town
Anyone can sit and pound the keys on Patagonia’s first street piano, located inside a whimsically decorated waterproof hut just off the sidewalk in front of the Benderly-Kendall Opera House. The piano is ‘a gift for the community’ from Christina and Fred Wilhelm on behalf of the Santa Cruz Foundation for the Performing Arts.
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WHAT’S NEW?
County, Patagonia Frustrated by Hermosa NEPA Timetable
Ignoring objections from Santa Cruz County and Patagonia, the Forest Service—the federal agency charged with leading the NEPA permitting process for South32’s controversial Hermosa project—is opening a 30-day scoping period on May 10.
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When Baseball Was the Only Game in Town
A look back at the Patagonia Miners, the amateur baseball team whose late-’60s lineup featured future New York Yankees star Bobby Murcer.
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LOCAL NEWS
AZ Attorney General Postpones Patagonia Town Hall to May 30
A statement from AG Kris Mayes’ office said the event, originally scheduled for April 30 in the PUHS cafeteria, was being postponed “due to unforeseen consequences.”
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County Updates Residents on South32 Road Permit Process
Residents of Red Rock Acres said they got some good news and some bad news at an April 10 meeting regarding construction of the Cross Creek Connector.
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Exploratory Drilling Continues in Patagonia Mountains
Barksdale’s Sunnyside Project and South32’s Flux Canyon Project are proceeding, even as a collective of national and local conservation groups try to halt the drilling in court.
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Sonoita Races Canceled
A host of factors played into the Santa Cruz County Fair and Rodeo Association’s decision to cancel the May event, breaking a tradition begun in 1915.
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Town Council Notes – May 2024
Notes from the April 10 and April 24 meetings of Patagonia’s Town Council.
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COMMUNITY
Preserving a Final Resting Place
Locals are collaborating to save the historic Elgin/Mountain View Cemetery, which may have more inhabitants than was previously known.
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Flyovers and Electrical Shocks
Britt Oleson, the local Wildlife Manager for Arizona Game and Fish, explains how wildlife populations are counted, and what the numbers are looking like right now.
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Let’s Talk Prevention
Some fires are preventable. Here’s a look at how fire codes and Firewise guidance can help to protect your property.
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Glimpses From Our Past: The Babocomari Creek Bridge
A one-lane bridge crossing the Babocomari River, built in 1922, is still in operation in Elgin. Here’s the story of its construction.
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My Neighbor Sue Hey
I liked her straightforward honesty, felt kindred with the lady. Not just anybody would live alone in the middle of nowhere, especially someone who seemed to have traveled all over the Western world.
Read more…SCHOOL NEWS
Lobos Serve Up Improved Tennis Season
Sophomore Jaxon Yslava and senior William Botz were leaders of the Lobos’ best tennis season in years.
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PUHS Class of 2024 Spotlights, Part 3
The PRT’s series of profiles of the PUHS senior class of 2024, written by members of that class, concludes.
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Lobos Come Up Short as Baseball Season Ends
The Lobos finished with a 1-15 record but had two of their better offensive performances in their final two games.
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New Teacher Joins Elgin School
Dr. Jerome Ramirez has spent the last 20 years teaching in the Philippines, Myanmar and Vietnam. Here’s how he landed in Elgin.
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ARTS & CULTURE
Nomadic Artist Puts Down Some Roots in Sonoita
After years of work-camping across the country, Terri Malloy has parked her RV and opened an art studio and gallery in the Coop.
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Celebrating Cinco de Mayo With the Lewis Family
How one rancher whipped up a version of Mexican cooking in 1950s Patagonia.
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Local Author Has a Passion for Language and Character
‘I Never Do This,’ Patagonia author Anesa Miller’s latest novel, draws on the ‘what-ifs’ that women think about in real life.
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The Day ‘Longmire’ Creator Craig Johnson Came to Town
Wearing a big old cowboy hat, jeans and boots, the Wyoming-based author of the popular long-running mystery series charmed and awed fans at three events in Patagonia on March 7.
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COLUMNS
Sun Worshipping Flora and Fauna
Heat drives many humans indoors during the swelter of May. If you decide to venture outside, keep an eye out for these other ‘foolhardy’ denizens, reveling in their sun-worshiping ways.
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(Getting Ready to Be) Gone Fishing
By all accounts, conditions are getting really good in our area bass lakes.
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Garden Guides: War of the Roses
Rugosas, grandifloras, floribundas, climbers and more: let’s explore the world of roses that thrive in our climate.
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Choices
April did not disappoint. Between its solar eclipse and the return—after 71 years—of Comet 12P Pons-Brooks, it gave us all we could ask for. It made us all kids again and turned kids into teachers.
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OPINION
Why the Hermosa Mine Should Not Go Forward
Corporations should not be allowed to destroy irreplaceable centers of biodiversity in their drive for profits. Some places should never again be mined.
Read more…There’s Nothing to Eat
Why is it so hard for two adults to feed themselves on a daily basis?
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Letters to the Editor – May 2024
In our mailbag: a warning to watch out for heartworm in dogs, plus an update from Patagonia’s recycling program coordinator.
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Audubon and Nature Conservancy Defend Use of Herbicides
In response to concerns recently expressed by individuals in the Patagonia community, Audubon and Nature Conservancy explain the restoration strategies the organizations are using to make the Sonoita Creek watershed “healthier and more resilient.”
Read more…OBITUARIES
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FROM THE PRT ARCHIVES…
The Canelo Project: Simplicity by Design
For nearly 30 years Bill and Athena Steen have been teaching that humans needn’t subdue the earth so much as embrace it. Their partnership began with a bale of straw.
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When Patagonia Was a Mecca for Wagon Restoration — Part 2: Craftsmen at Work (and Play)
In this chapter: Wagon restorationist Doug Thaemert strikes out on his own, building a skilled team of local talents to meet the growing national demand for their work. Plus: beer, pranks and ‘Dougerizing.’
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Small Affordable Houses
Can a 300-square foot house meet a need for affordable housing in Patagonia? A ‘tiny house’ built by local developer Todd Lipton and contractor Kevin McKay at 446 Duquesne showcases the concept.
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When Patagonia Was a Mecca for Wagon Restoration — Part 1: The Museum Connection
The wagon building and restoration industry that flourished in this modest town in the latter half of the 20th century was perhaps the premier facility of its type in the world.
Here’s a look at how it started.
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Copper Brothel Brewery — A New Destination in Sonoita
“This has been my dream,” Bob Jesser said, as he stood in front of the newly opened, 5,000-square foot Copper Brothel Brewery in Sonoita. “Our intent is to bring craft beers to people who are non-craft connoisseurs. We’ve been told that the local market is too small, there’s no way you’re going to get support. We beg to differ. We’re sticking our necks out.”
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