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Discover Patagonia’s superpower — with Ice Cream!
20-plus nonprofits registered for Sept. 27 Community Confab
By Mary Tolena
What is the most extraordinary thing about the Patagonia area?
One top answer is surely the vibrant network of nonprofit organizations that add so much to our quality of life here. There’s a good chance you’re involved with one or more already.
These organizations are so woven into daily life here that their presence can seem “normal.” In fact, it is anything but. When it comes to the number of nonprofits per capita, Patagonia is literally off the charts!
We have TEN TIMES the national average number of nonprofits for an area our size!
The 85624 zip code has about 1,400 people. If you apply the national rate of nonprofits per capita for small towns (between 8 and 12 per 5,000 people), you’d expect between two and four organizations for our population size.
We’re in a different league altogether: We have over two dozen nonprofits serving our area. Ten times the national rate. Our organizations provide social services, enhance arts and education, protect our environment and form the pillars of civic life, including the library, the volunteer fire department, the churches, and more.
All will be represented at the Community Confab Ice Cream Social and Non-Profit Fair, which will celebrate this unique Superpower on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Patagonia Lumber Company.
Everyone is invited, and we’ll be serving free ice cream! Mike Hogan and Anu will play live music.
At least 25 organizations will be there to share information about their missions, services and ways to get involved. This is NOT a fundraising event. It’s for learning more about what makes our community tick, and for discovering ways to enrich your life.
Participating in organizations’ activities brings many personal benefits beyond receiving services or supporting their missions, too. You can meet new friends, learn about nature, art or history, take up healthy activities, and generally get the most from our friendly small-town lifestyle.
Whether you’re new to the area or want an easy way to catch up with our great organizations, the Community Confab is your one-stop-shopping opportunity to explore the possibilities.
Come immerse yourself in the community vibe that makes Patagonia so special!
Community Confab participants registered so far:
- Patagonia Regional Times
- KPUP Radio
- St. Therese Catholic Church
- Mountain Empire Rotary
- Patagonia Community Garden
- Patagonia United Methodist Church & Thrift Shop
- Patagonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue
- Patagonia Regional Aquatics Center (PRAC)
- Sky Islands Tourism Association (SITA)
- Borderlands Restoration Network
- Friends of Sonoita Creek
- Community Homes of Patagonia (CHOP)
- Eastern Santa Cruz County Community Food Bank
- Family Healthcare Amigos
- Voices from the Border
- Mat Bevel Company
- Patagonia Parent-Teacher Booster Club
- Patagonia Youth Education Center
- Patagonia Creative Arts Association
- Santa Cruz Foundation for Performing Arts
- Friends of Patagonia Library
- Senior Citizens of Patagonia
- Mountain Empire Trails Association (META)
- Paton Center – Tucson Bird Alliance
- The Dirtbags
- Cienega Watershed Partnership
Another banner year for County Fair livestock show
The livestock auction at last weekend’s Santa Cruz County Fair resulted in total sales of $359,894.75, of which $15,142.25 was raised for scholarship funds. The PRT will publish a list of 4-H/FFA Grand Champions in our October edition.
Brooke Gummo and Paxton Clark at the poultry exhibit. (Photos by Dave Lumia) 
Grecia Quintero, 3 of Rio Rico, behind the wheel at the midway. (Photos by Dave Lumia) 
Hope they’re not prone to motion sickness or scared of heights. (Photos by Dave Lumia) 
Kataleya Clark, 4, of Rio Rico, waves to Mom and Grandma. (Photos by Dave Lumia) 
Brothers Leonardo and Nicolas Arellano of Rio Rico enjoy a wild ride. (Photos by Dave Lumia)
Roadside sunflowers spread cheer, and much more
By Carrie White
Lining our throughfares in late summer/early fall are the bright faces of the common sunflower that have flourished this year thanks to late summer rains.
An annual blessing (Helianthus annuus), the cheery greeters are native to our area but can be found in 47 of our 50 states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Jim Koweek, local author of Grassland Plant ID For Everyone and Sonoran Desert Plant ID for Everyone, said a lot of people don’t realize that the annual sunflower comes up in the wintertime or early spring.
“They don’t notice them because they’ve not flowering,” he said. “But they germinate in the cool season and then they send this taproot down, which stores some moisture.”
Think of it as a sunflower hangout. They lie in wait for the opportunity to shine — which they are definitely doing now. And while providing beauty, they also serve as important food for wildlife.
“Bees love them,” Koweek said. “They’re good as pollinator plants, and they’re also good as a seed source for birds,” such as finches.
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CTE Student of the Month Viviana Pelayo
Senior Viviana Pelayo is the Patagonia Union High School Career and Technical Education Student of the Month for September.
On hand to deliver the distinction was Troy Thygerson, Outreach Director for the Cochise College Technical District. Jeff Gudenkauf, who nominated Pelayo, also received an award for his work as CTE Director and Automotive Technology teacher.
“Viviana is my go-to person,” Gudenkauf said. “She is willing to do anything when it comes to working on cars.”
Accompanying the recognition was gift certificates to Sonic and Dairy Queen for Pelayo and a Texas Roadhouse card for Gudenkauf. Thygerson works with 12 high schools in Cochise County as well as Patagonia High School, with auto technology being one of six career paths supported by Cochise Community College.
Thygerson noted that Patagonia High School’s CTE Program both prepares students for the workforce and offers them the opportunity for certification through Cochise College in the areas of behavior health technician, certified nursing assistant, patient care assistant, medical assistant, cybersecurity and auto technology. The program offers students free tuition and books, courtesy of the district.
Patagonia sets council agenda for Sept. 23
The Patagonia Town Council will hold the second of two regular September council meetings on Wednesday, Sept. 23. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in Council chambers at Town Hall. The public is invited to attend or to participate via video conference, using Zoom Meeting I.D. 957-511-4862, Password 338501.
Fire District board meets on Sept. 28, followed by anniversary celebration
Discussion and possible action on a funding request, not to exceed $75,000, for starting and completing Phase I of the Elgin Fire Resources Facility is on the agenda for the Monday, Sept. 28, Board of Directors meeting of the Sonoita-Elgin Fire District. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at the SEFD station house, 3173 N. Highway 83 in Sonoita and is open to the public. Immediately following the meeting will be the Fire District’s 20th anniversary celebration, featuring SEFD keepsakes, special prizes for the first 30 visitors, guided station tours and historical photos and displays.
The meeting can also be attended virtually via the District’s Zoom account, Meeting ID: 839 6668 2690.
General Election debate: Superintendent of Public Instruction
Candidates Terry Leyba Ruiz (D) and Kimberly Yee (R) debate their positions for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Public Service Announcements
To submit an announcement, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
Quilts for Veterans
From the Crossroads Quilters:
To commemorate the USA’s 250th anniversary the Crossroads Quilters have made patriotic lap quilts for our area veterans. Do you know a Canelo, Elgin, Patagonia or Sonoita veteran who deserves a quilt? Someone who gave selflessly to our country?
If you know someone, please nominate them by providing the following information:
Your Name:
Your Contact Information:
Your Veteran’s Name:
Your Veteran’s Contact Information:
Your Veteran’s service to his/her country:
Share a story about your veteran’s military service. In which branch of the military did he/she serve? Did he/she serve overseas, in which conflict? How long has he/she lived in the Canelo/Elgin/Patagonia/Sonoita area?
Nominations can be mailed to Alison Bunting, P.O. Box 310, Sonoita 85637 or sent via email to alisbunting@gmail.com by September 30, 2026. The quilts will be ready for distribution in time for Veteran’s Day.
School News and Youth Events
To report school news or list an event, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format. To list an event, please submit by Monday, 5pm. Remember to submit your event at least one week before the event date. Thank you!
From Elgin School Parent Teacher Club:
The Elgin PTC is looking for new members to join our team and help make our school an even more amazing place for our students, staff, and families! Whether you can volunteer a few hours a month or help with a specific event, there is a place for everyone in the PTC! Interested in learning more? Send us a message at Elginptc@elgink12.com. We’d love to have you join our flock! Together, we can help Elgin soar even higher!
Upcoming Events
To list an event, please submit an image file in JPEG or PNG format. Email your submission to prtadast@gmail.com by Monday, 5pm. Remember to submit your event at least one week before the event date. Thank you!
Register here
Recurring Events
To list an event, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format. Remember to submit your event at least one week before the event date. Thank you!
Fresh vegetable distribution Mondays at the Patagonia Senior Center
Come with friends and pick up your weekly fresh vegetables from East Santa Cruz County Community Food Bank every Monday at the Patagonia Senior Center (100 Quiroga Ln, Patagonia) at 10:30am. Take what you need and give what you can.
The Sonoita Food Pantry at The Vine Church is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Monthly bird walks at the Paton Center
From the Paton Center:
Fun news: we will now be having regular monthly Paton Center bird walks led by docent Wayne Smith on the fourth Saturday of every month! Join us for a relaxing morning featuring short, easy walks (less than a mile total) along trails like the Cuckoo Corridor and Gray Hawk Birding Trail. We’ll also spend some unhurried time enjoying the activity around the bird feeders.
-Alexis Stark, Paton Center Site Manager
Attention Patagonia residents:
Boat tours at Patagonia Lake State Park
Every Saturday and Sunday, $7 per adult, $5 per child (13 years and under)
- 9 a.m. Avian Adventure Tour
- 10:15 a.m. Avian Adventure Tour
- 11:30 a.m. Lake Discovery Tour
- Twilight Tour on Saturdays only. Time varies.
Call the park to make your reservation: 520-287-2791
Boat rentals are available at the Patagonia Lake Marina.
Alcoholics Anonymous:
- Sonoita Bible Church – Tuesdays at 7pm, 3174 N. Highway 83, Sonoita. Doors open at 6:30. Zoom option: 601-758-3907.
- Patagonia Methodist Community Church – Thursdays at 6:30pm. 387 McKeown Ave., Patagonia. Contact Dave at 207-249-8302.
Crossroads Quilters: Are you a textile artist (weaving, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting)? The Crossroads Quilters invites all interested textile artists to our meetings. Bring a project to work on and enjoy a morning of information sharing and camaraderie. We meet the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at 9am at the Sonoita Bible Church, 3174 N. Highway 83. For more information email: alisbunting@gmail.com
Overeaters Anonymous: The OA Sky Islands Recovery group meets every Wednesday 11am-12noon at the East Santa Cruz County (ESCC) Food Bank at 772 Harshaw Ave in the meeting room at the end of the driveway. For additional meeting info, go to oasouthernaz.org. Contact Adrienne H. for more info 520-404-3490.
Click here to consult the PRT’s ‘Community Calendar’ for additional events and meetings.
Employment Opportunities
To list an employment opportunity, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
Farmers Markets
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
Nogales “Little” Mercado – Fridays 4-7pm 163 Morley Ave, Nogales
Church Events and Schedules
St. Therese Parish in Patagonia
Patagonia Community United Methodist Church
Click here to consult the PRT’s ‘Community Calendar’ for additional events and meetings.
Our Advertisers
To advertise in the PRT’s print edition, Weekly News Bulletin or website – or a custom package – contact Priscilla Bolanos at prtads@gmail.com or 520-313-6062.
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A 2026 CORE Grant from the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona provides the Patagonia Regional Times with valuable operating support.