The PRT Newsletter for the Week of Dec. 25, 2024
Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season from all of us at the Patagonia Regional Times!
Circle Z Ranch is the PRT newsletter’s Premier Sponsor for 2024. We are grateful for their partnership. If you would like to be a newsletter sponsor, click here for more info.
Want to know when a new PRT Newsletter is out? You can receive a notice the moment our weekly newsletter is published, conveniently delivered to your email inbox every Wednesday. Click here to go to the sign-up page.
News
Grinch Fails to Spoil Ugly Sweater Contest
A typically grumpy Grinch was tricked into posing for photos with celebrants during the Community Ugly Sweater Party at the Santa Cruz County fairgrounds in Sonoita last Friday, Dec 20. Proceeds from the event benefited Elgin School student programs.
Community Garden Party Celebrates Return of the Light
By Robert Gay
Last Saturday, December 21, about 40 festive folks gathered at Patagonia’s Community Garden to celebrate Winter Solstice and encourage the return of the light.
Entering the garden from Fourth Ave, it was easy to picture the many new shiny galvanized water trough planters as holiday ornaments on steroids. In much of rest of the garden light strings were draped around whatever would support them, and trees bore ornaments and glinting plastic icicles to add to the festivity. Buddha and Our Lady of Guadalupe watched from their back-to-back shrine wall.
As people drifted in, potluck food offerings steadily appeared on a couple of tables, along with simmering cauldrons of chai and hot chocolate. At least one potluck contributor was asked for the recipe—of a southwest-style cornbread.
Jac Heiss’s guitar and mellow voice provided easy listening, joined improvisationally by flautist Ronit Glasgow. In true Patagonia fashion style, she cheered up the stage visually with a bright tie dye shirt and bicycle-print overalls.
Later, as afternoon faded into twilight and the thermometer started its nightly dive, partiers gravitated to a ring of chairs around the firepit. There, event organizer Mary Sky Schoolcraft introduced an opportunity for anyone to toss into the fire slips of paper with things you’d like to let go of, or perhaps forget, from the year.
PYEC Holds Annual Holiday Dinner Party
From Patagonia Youth Enrichment Center (PYEC):
The PYEC had their annual holiday celebration on Wednesday, December 18.
Thanks to the generous donations from the Mountain Empire Rotary Club and the Santa Cruz County Attorney, George Silva, and the PYEC staff, each youth received warm hoodies and stockings with goodies inside.
The dinner consisted of sliders, quesadillas, veggies, cookies, and hot cocoa. The participating youth spent the evening laughing, visiting, and playing pool and foosball.
The PYEC extends the warmest wishes for a peaceful holiday season to the entire community and sincere appreciation for the love and support received year-round.
Christmas Bike Parade in Patagonia
PRT contributor Robert Gay was on the scene on Sunday, Dec. 22 to capture a few pretty pictures from the dusktime parade…
News From the Patagonia Pool People
From the Patagonia Regional Aquatic Center (PRAC):
What a year this has been! At the end of July, the Patagonia Regional Aquatic Center (PRAC) —the funding arm of the pool—had three board members and didn’t have enough money to pay its debts to the school. An appeal went out to pool users and they responded!
Click here to continue reading this news-packed PRAC update…
Hurry 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 that 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.
Previous years’ PRT Good Neighbor Award winners were Chuck Kelly, Dena Ploetz, Jan Pfitzenmaier, Sylas Lattanzio and Susan Lange.
Click here for information on how to nominate a neighbor for this prestigious honor.
Entries must be submitted no later than Dec. 31, 2024!
Remember When?
We’ve posted nearly 3,000 articles from past years’ print editions on the PRT website, with more to come. Here’s a timely seasonal piece from our January, 2019 issue:
Winter’s Great and Ghostly Owls
By Vince Pinto
January 3, 2019
The Solstice has come and gone, officially ushering in of winter and its many attendant flora and fauna. Winter’s shorter days and longer nights are perfect for those of us desiring intimate glimpses of our mostly nocturnal hunters: the owls. But “hoooo” are they?
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.
