The PRT Newsletter for the Week of Nov. 20, 2024
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News
Life in the Preserve
Above: A Coues White-tailed doe nurses two fawns at the Nature Conservancy’s Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve. The scene was captured recently by one of the Conservancy’s hidden wildlife cameras, which have been running for over a year to assess wildlife activity at the 873-acre preserve.
Here are two more photos from the program:
County Sues Arizona Auditor General, Alleging Negligence in Gutfahr Embezzlement
Santa Cruz County’s lawsuit, filed Nov. 14, argues that negligence by the Auditor General enabled the embezzlement of nearly $39 million from the County coffers by ex-Treasurer Liz Gutfahr.
Click here to read the County’s press release and the complete 234-page text of the lawsuit.
Free Turkey Distribution This Saturday in Patagonia
Free Thanksgiving turkey distribution will take place this Saturday, November 23, at 9am at the East Santa Cruz County Community Food Bank (772 Harshaw Ave, Patagonia).
First come, first serve. One turkey per family while supplies last.
Local Churches Organizing Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Volunteers Needed
From the organizers:
Area churches are providing a Thanksgiving dinner for all those who wish to join us. Many people do not have a place to celebrate. Well, let’s celebrate as a loving community together. The location will be at the Sonoita Fairgrounds from 1:00 to 4:00pm on Thanksgiving Day. All are invited whether you just don’t wont to cook or would like a meal with friends and family.
With your help this will happen! If you would like to serve, we need people who would like to cook, clean, setup, reset, welcome, serve food on the line and yes, cook turkeys. Please contact Pastor Tom at (480) 226-9779 or pastortommoffett@gmail.com
More Than 100 Guests Turn Out for PARA Fundraiser
Above: Linnaea Saleem (left), sporting a crown of devils claws, stands with Lars Marshall, who served as auctioneer at the Second Annual PARA Gala, held on Nov. 15 at the Patagonia Museum. Guests came dressed in their flashiest outfits to enjoy dinner, drinks, an auction, dancing and howling at the full moon.
Time to Salute Our Good Neighbors
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. 30, 2024.
Stargazing Telescope Party at the Preserve
The PRT’s popular ‘Starstruck’ columnist Harold Meckler will be leading this exciting event on Monday, Dec. 2…
From the organizers:
A moonless night in a very dark location promises to reveal so much more of the night sky than most of us ever get to experience. Far removed from intrusive city lights, participants will have unfettered views of stars and constellations and possibly a few planets, as well as a neighboring galaxy. The event begins and ends with a nature walk. In between, we’ll be on a tour of the stars.
RSVP now by emailing aaron.mrotek@tnc.org
CHOP Readies Dec. 7 Free ‘Chipper Day’ for Patagonia Residents, Volunteers Needed
From the organizers:
Community Homes of Patagonia (CHOP) and the Arizona Wildfire Initiative invite the residents of the Town of Patagonia to take advantage of Chipper Day in Patagonia.
On Saturday, December 7, from 9am to 1pm, volunteers will help cut and remove vegetation on registered properties, move green waste to the curb, and mechanically chip the waste for FREE.
Residents should register if they want volunteers to help cut and trim their yards at egallaher.chop@gmail.com.
Remember When?
We’ve posted nearly 3,000 articles from past years’ print editions on the PRT website, with more to come. Take a walk down memory lane with this article from November, 2019…
A Thanksgiving Success Story
November 1, 2019
In addition to the tradition of eating turkey on Thanksgiving, in southern Arizona we have an opportunity to observe an ancestor from which our favorite meal evolved: our local wild turkey, the Gould’s turkey.
The Gould’s turkey has become very common in the Huachuca Mountains due to an intensive translocation of the birds from Mexico carried out by Arizona Fish and Game Department, the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), the Huachuca Gould’s chapter of the NWTF, and the Mexican government. Here’s the story of the successful reintroduction of this species to the Sky Islands.
School News and Youth Events
Lobos Open Basketball Season With High Hopes
With a deep squad of 19 players, boys’ Coach Nate Porter is optimistic the Lobos can qualify for the state tournament.
Click here to read Dave Lumia’s report.
Lobos Sophomore Somoza, Coach Cuevas Earn All-Region Volleyball Accolades
By Dave Lumia
With an all-new coaching staff and missing three starters who graduated last year, it might have been realistic to expect a rebuilding year for the Patagonia High volleyball team.
Instead, the Lobos put together their best season since 2016, qualifying for the state tournament for the first time in eight years and compiling a 15-8 record.
Those efforts were recognized with the announcement of the 1A South all-region team. Patagonia’s first-year coach Andres Cuevas shared Coach of the Year honors with San Simon’s Kari Wade, and sophomore Amaya Somoza was named first-team all-region setter. Three other Lobos—senior middle blocker Alexis Fimbres, junior outside hitter Brianna Majalca, and junior setter Emma Lewton earned second-team all-region recognition, and junior Lulu Donnelly and freshman Monique Snell earned honorable mention.
“I was so surprised,” Cuevas said of the coaching recognition. “We were new together. After the award was announced, I called Brenda (Somoza, assistant coach) and I told her I don’t think I deserved it, she deserved it too.
“I think it was a successful season. We rebuilt the team without three starting players. We got to state for the first time in a long time. It was something to build on.”
Click here to read the rest of the article.
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!
Dec. 12: Dedication of New Lady of Guadalupe Mosaic at Patagonia Community Garden
From the organizer:
The community is invited to attend the unveiling and dedication of the new mosaic on the shrine of our Lady of Guadalupe in the Patagonia Community Garden. This work of art was created by Martha Kelly, who envisioned it two years ago as a prayer for peace in Ukraine.
This will occur on the Feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, on December 12, from 3:00-5:00pm.
Our celebration includes refreshments and a flower procession to the shrine, followed by the unveiling and dedication. Please bring a flower(s) from your home to place on the shrine.
For more info, contact Mary Sky Schoolcraft at 520-510-2851
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.
For questions, contact Heidi Gonzales at hgonzales@elgink12.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
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.
