The PRT Newsletter for the Week of March 5, 2025
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We See You Too
Pronghorn in the San Rafael Valley on a recent afternoon. Photo by Yuri Ouskov
News
Community Yard Sale and Raffle Nets Over $3,300 for Sonoita House Fire Survivors
Last Saturday’s combined community yard sale and raffle at Pioneer Hall raised $3,310 for Patty Scarboro and Ted Swigart, survivors of the Jan. 22 fire that destroyed their Sonoita house.
Twelve local businesses donated items or services for the raffle. (See slide 3, above, for the list of raffle item donors.)
During the event, Patty and Ted were presented with a portrait of Duke, their beloved dog who perished in the fire, painted by artist Jen Howard.
All of the money raised has been distributed to Patty and Ted, who also selected items from the yard sale for use in their future home.
P & D to Hold Public Hearing on Conversion of Two Old Main Classrooms Into Apartments
The Patagonia Planning and Development Committee will be meeting this Thursday, March 6, at 6pm in the Town Council Chambers. The meeting will be available on Zoom. Items on the agenda include:
- A public hearing for a use permit for the remodeling of two classrooms at Old Main. Each classroom will be remodeled into a two-bedroom apartment.
- A report by Town Manager Robinson on the March 5 Town Council study session on an affordable housing project.
For more information on the meeting, including agenda and supporting documents, click here.
Thank You, Jackie!
The retiree (left) with Dawn Lewis, who helped with the preparation for the Feb. 22 party. Dawn does the Postal Service’s rural route on M-W-F, and she and Jackie have become good friends. 
Cady Hall was packed. 
The party was filled to overflowing, with a long line of Jackie’s admirers waiting to get in.
Text and photos by Cynie Murray
It seemed like most of Patagonia attended the celebration for Jackie Covey’s retirement from the Postal Service at Cady Hall on February 22.
For over 31 years, Jackie has treated everyone in this community as if we were her only customer, her friend, while taking time to get to know us and share with us.
The community gathered in a beautifully decorated Cady Hall, with enough food to feed all of Patagonia. At one point there was a long line of people along the sidewalk of Cady Hall waiting to get in and sign the guestbook, all wanting to leave their personal well wishes for Jackie in written words. There were gifts of flowers, plants and cards—and a cake with a mailbox on the top, which was ignited with sparklers, made by Anita CW.
Cady Hall was filled with laughter, love, hugs and best wishes to everyone attending. It felt good to be together as a community celebrating our community.
Thank you, Jackie, for bringing the community together to celebrate your accomplishments! Enjoy your retirement, and always remember what you have done for so many of us in the Patagonia community.
The Good Times Did Roll
Text and photos by Linda Jade Fong
The annual Fat Tuesday Pancake Dinner was a longtime popular local event switching venues between Patagonia Community United Methodist Church (PCUMC) and St. Therese Church every year. Then the pandemic hit.
Five years flew by and the folks at PCUMC decided yes, they could revive this Mardi Gras (aka Fat Tuesday) gathering. This time, though, it would be a potluck, and with a twist–an opportunity to bring favorite “southern” dishes. It would also bring back the local String Benders band to add to the lively spirit.
Community members enthusiastically filled Thurber Hall on Tuesday evening to welcome back this tradition, all eager to share good food, music and company.
Can you guess who? Janice Pulliam and. . . husband Ron Pulliam!. . .brought a festive touch of Mardi Gras mystery and fun to the occasion. 
The wall full of potluck dishes (left) included no shortage of special Fat Tuesday dishes to taste, including Cajun Sausage and Rice, Jambalaya Veggies, and Cajun Stew. Then there was the dessert table (front), which featured three of the Mardi Gras traditional ring-shaped, sprinkles-covered King Cakes. 
The String Benders band, many in colorful hats and attire, filled the stage of Thurber Hall to reprise their Fat Tuesday role in encouraging everyone to, à la New Orleans, “Let the good times roll!”
Return of the Elegant Earless Lizard
As March warms up, various reptile species emerge from hibernation—including this juvenile Elegant Earless Lizard, captured on video by Vince Pinto at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary…
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!
Spring Blood Drive in Sonoita
Recurring Events
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 – Thursdays at 6:30pm. 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.
Family Health Care Amigos/Purple Elephant, a certified charity, seeks a dependable part-time furniture mover for approximately ten hours a month at $20 per hour. Please call 520.256.7213 to set up an interview.
Santa Rita Abbey has a new part time job opening in its altar bread bakery. Position is Monday through Friday mornings assisting with the manufacturing of Communion Hosts. Contact Sister Pam for further details. 520-455-0481 (no text messaging) or cistercianab@gmail.com.
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
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