The PRT Newsletter for the Week of Dec. 18, 2024
We can’t believe that there are just two weeks left in our annual NewsMatch Fundraising Campaign for the year! Every dollar you donate to the Patagonia Regional Times will have double the impact, and we’re excited to share that with you! Every day, we’re dedicated to informing and empowering our community at no cost to our readers. We believe in shining a light on the local issues that matter most to you. While many local news organizations are having to close their doors, we’re proud to keep serving eastern Santa Cruz County, and we can’t do it without the wonderful support from community members like you. You’re here because you care about the Patagonia Regional Times and its role in sharing the news that affects you and your neighbors. But did you know that we’re a small team working on a tight budget? We truly rely on donations from readers like you who believe in our mission. So, here’s the exciting part: from now until December 31, your donation will be doubled, thanks to our national fundraising partner, NewsMatch! Plus, if you choose to give monthly, your gifts will be matched at their annual value! For instance, a $10 monthly donation becomes $120 in extra funds to help support our journalism! If you believe in the work we’re doing, we invite you to donate today and double the impact of your gift!
The Patagonia Regional Times fills a critical need in our community by sharing the news that impacts YOU the most! Please join us in our year-end fundraising campaign! Every dollar counts, and together we can make a difference!
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News
Season’s Photos
Do you have a holiday season-related photograph that you’d like to share with this newsletter’s 2,000 subscribers? Tree decorations, Christmas lights and yard displays, parties and get-togethers, eggnog concoctions and magnificent fruitcakes, Santa Claus appearances, chestnuts roasting on an open fire…that sort of thing. Don’t be shy—submit your photo, with a caption, to prtadast@gmail.com
Here are two photos from last weekend’s festivities…
Above: An “Old-fashioned Christmas Singalong” for the community brought out a crowd of joyful carolers to the Gazebo in Patagonia on December 13. After the singing in the park led by Patagonia Community United Methodist Church (PCUMC) music director Jackie Heyen, the happy group walked across the street to Thurber Hall to a table laden with cookies, spiced cider and hot cocoa. Co-organizer Cynie Murray, PCUMC secretary, was delighted to see a turnout of 30 for this first event, which she and Jackie hope will become an annual Patagonia holiday tradition. —Linda Jade Fong
Above: Two elves hand out presents to kids lined up to see Santa at last weekend’s Sonoita Small Town Christmas at the Sonoita Fairgrounds.
AZ Rangers Distributing Christmas Dinner Boxes to Folks-in-Need This Friday
This Friday, Dec. 20 at 11am, the Sonoita Company of the Arizona Rangers will distribute Christmas dinner boxes to local families in need. The boxes, consisting of ham, scalloped potatoes, veggies, rolls and a pie, will be handed out to pre-selected local senior citizens and families affected by food insecurity.
“The mission of the Arizona Rangers is to assist law enforcement, but we also strive to take care of our community—especially those in need,” said Bart Lawrence, Captain of the Sonoita Company Arizona Rangers.
The distribution will take place next to The Corner Scoop in Sonoita at the “crossroads” of Hwy 83 and Hwy 82. Residents of Sonoita, Elgin and Patagonia can sign up for Christmas dinners by contacting the Corner Scoop at 520.268.7715
New Tile Mosaic at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine Unveiled
By Robert Gay
On Thursday, December 12, about 40 people gathered at the Patagonia Community Garden for the unveiling of a new tile mosaic at the Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine.
Centering the design on a big white flower, Patagonia artist Martha Kelly added her iconic glaze colors of blue, lavender and green to create a cheery table-level base for the wall-mounted shrine.
Just before the unveiling, there was a blessing by St. Theresa’s Father Simon Ityo. He mentioned that Mexico City’s Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which grew where the vision of the Virgin occurred, has become the most visited Catholic shrine in the world.
The story of the Miracle of Guadalupe, as experienced in roughly 1531 by Mexican paisano Juan Diego, was related in Spanish by Elvia Miranda, and translated by her daughter, PRT Board member Elvia Gallaher.
A couple of guitar-accompanied songs added to the Mexican feel as did a piñata, shaped as the traditional seven-pointed star. The kids, of course, grabbed up the candy which flowed when the piñata was broken! And one observer noted that the opposite side of the shrine’s wall is devoted to the Buddha.
Produce ‘Rescue’ at the VINE Church in Sonoita This Saturday
From Borderlands Produce Rescue:
At our Produce on Wheels With-Out Waste (P.O.W.W.O.W.) events, supporters are able to make a cash contribution of at least $15 to support our nonprofit, and as a thank you, take home up to 70 lbs of rescued produce.
Our primary mission is to save mother earth by ensuring good, nutritious produce is not dumped in the landfill. Your donations and contributions make it possible for us to rescue, recycle and redistribute 20 to 30 million pounds of produce every season.
December P.O.W.W.O.W. events are only for people who reserve a box (online) ahead of time. During this month we have less turnout, so the only way to know how much produce to send out is by people making reservations for pick-up on Saturday. This also allows us to make extra produce donations to food banks this time of year.
Location: VINE Church – 3107 AZ-83, Sonoita
When: Saturday, December 21
Reservation Pick-Up Time: 8am to 10amMarket Varieties Available This Week: Yellow Squash, Persian Cucumber, Eggplant, Yu Choi Mieu, Cherry Tomatoes in clamshell
Click Here to RSVP to get an up-to-70 lb. box of rescued produce for Pick-Up
It’s Time to Salute Your Good Neighbor
Do you have a good neighbor? Are there any unsung heroes in your community? Perhaps somebody has gone above and beyond the normal call of duty during these challenging times?
Whether he or she has provided care and support for others, is always on hand when needed, performs acts of kindness, is an active volunteer in the community or has simply been a friendly face around your neighborhood, you can nominate them for the PRT Good Neighbor Award, which recognizes the efforts of residents who are making exceptional contributions to our communities.
Click here for information on how to nominate a neighbor for this prestigious honor. Entries must be submitted no later than Dec. 31, 2024.
Previous years’ PRT Good Neighbor Award winners were Chuck Kelly, Dena Ploetz, Jan Pfitzenmaier, Sylas Lattanzio and Susan Lange.
Local Bearded Musician Volunteers at S.C. Training Program
Zach Farley (left) presents a certificate of completion to a member of the Santa Cruz Training Programs in Nogales earlier this month. Zach and other teaching artists from Patagonia Creative Arts Association donate their time monthly to teach art and music classes to adults with disabilities.
Remember When?
We’ve posted nearly 3,000 articles from past years’ print editions on the PRT website, with more to come. Take a wander down memory lane with this photo from our December, 2016 issue:
A cadre of volunteers installed a new 3,000-gallon cistern at Deep Dirt Farm [in Patagonia] on Oct. 29 [2016]. Here the crew is shown about halfway through its arduous task of pulling the 500-lb. tank up a steep hill to its new home. The well water that the new tank will hold, pumped up by means of a solar-powered pump, nearly triples the farm’s holding capacity and will supply gravity-fed water for the drip irrigation system that supports the farm’s food production and wildlife habitat.
School News and Youth Events
Upcoming Events
To share information about an upcoming event in this newsletter, please submit a poster/flyer 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!
Local Items of Interest
AA: Alcoholics Anonymous:
- Sonoita Bible Church – Tuesdays at 7pm, 3174 N. Doors open at 6:30. Highway 83, Sonoita. Zoom option: 601-758-3907.
- Patagonia Methodist Community Church – Fridays at 7pm. 387 McKeown Ave., Patagonia. Contact Dave at 207-249-8302.
Overeaters Anonymous: to find a meeting go to oasouthernaz.org. Contact Adrienne H. for more info 520-404-3490.
The Patagonia Senior Center has received a grant from Delta Dental of Phoenix to help seniors with dental expenses. Vouchers are provided for up to $350 to participating dentists. If interested, please call the Senior Center at (520) 394-2494.
Click here to consult the PRT’s ‘Community Calendar’ for additional events and meetings.
Employment Opportunities
To list an employment opportunity, please contact Nisa Talavera at prtads@gmail.com or 740-206-9594.
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 United Methodist Church
Click here to consult the PRT’s ‘Community Calendar’ for additional events and meetings.
Our Advertisers
For information on advertising in the PRT’s print edition, weekly newsletter, website, or a custom package, please contact Nisa Talavera at prtads@gmail.com or 740-206-9594.
