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Photo of the week
“I love walking the fields at night, spotting eyeballs looking at me. Hello Wolfie, happy spring.” — Elizabeth Kay, Sonoita
News
PBS spotlights PVFR in news report on volunteering in America
Members of Patagonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue were interviewed by veteran journalist Judy Woodruff for an eight-minute report that aired last Wednesday night during “PBS NewsHour.”
“Before the United States was founded, the spirit of volunteering was already taking hold in the colonies,” said PBS NewsHour co-anchor Geoff Bennett, introducing the segment. “Today, Americans give more of their time than citizens of any other country. During this National Volunteer Month, our Judy Woodruff set out to explore how this tradition started and why it remains such a defining part of the nation’s identity.”
Stream the video and read the show’s transcript at the PBS website: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-the-spirit-of-volunteering-is-a-defining-part-of-americas-identity
Junior High School Rodeo Finals and High School Rodeo coming to Sonoita Fairgrounds May 15–17
News release
The Sonoita Fairgrounds will welcome rodeo athletes from across the state for an action-packed weekend as the Junior High School Rodeo Finals and High School Rodeo take place May 15–17.
The event will feature some of Arizona’s top young competitors as they showcase their skills, dedication, and passion for the sport of rodeo. With approximately 500 attendees expected, including contestants and their families, the weekend promises to bring a lot of action.
The Junior High School Rodeo Finals will kick off on Friday, May 15, with the first two rounds of competition, followed by the third and final round on Saturday morning. The High School Rodeo will begin with its first round on Saturday afternoon, concluding with the second round on Sunday morning. In addition to the rodeo action, attendees can enjoy a variety of food and merchandise vendors on site throughout the weekend. Two breakfast fundraisers will also be offered in Pioneer Hall, starting at 7:00 a.m.: a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning, and a biscuits and gravy breakfast on Sunday morning.
Spectators of all ages are encouraged to attend and support these young athletes as they compete for top honors. For more information, please contact the Sonoita Fairgrounds office at 520-455-5553.
Patagonia Town Council schedules April 22 half-hour CPBA hearing to precede regular meeting
The Patagonia Town Council will hold its second regular meeting this month today at 6 p.m. As always, members of the public may attend the council meeting in person or via Zoom: Meeting I.D. 957-511-4862, password 338501.
The council meeting will be preceded by a half-hour public hearing starting at 5:30 p.m., which will allow citizens to voice concerns regarding “soil protections” that should be included in the Community Protection and Benefit Agreement for the Hermosa Project currently being negotiated by South32, Patagonia, Nogales and Santa Cruz County.
Here is the notice for the public hearing:
Here is the complete agenda for the 6 p.m. council meeting:
Sonoita-Elgin Fire District Board of Directors
sets April 27 meeting agenda
The Sonoita-Elgin Fire District Board of Directors will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 27, at 9 a.m. in the meeting room at the Fire Station at 3173 N. Highway 83. The meeting is open to the public, with the meeting room open and accessible to the public by 8:45 a.m. Click here for the meeting’s agenda, which includes information on how to attend via Zoom.
County to present area economic development plan at April 28 Sonoita meeting
By Carrie White
A development roadmap that seeks to balance local priorities and business opportunities for the Sonoita-Elgin region will be presented at a public meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, in the County Complex Building, 3147 Highway 83, Sonoita.
Colin Bishop, Santa Cruz County community development director, and a representative of Worthy Communications of Gilbert, the firm generating the plan, will be in attendance.
“The document outlines a range of options for consideration and is intended to serve as a starting point for ongoing community discussion, not a set of predetermined decisions,” Bishop said.
In brief, the plan focuses on supporting economic resilience through tourism and small business opportunities while also “protecting the area’s rural character, working lands and quality of life,” Bishop said.
He noted the meeting will follow a structured format designed to both inform and engage the community. A brief presentation of the plan’s key points will be followed by next steps and how feedback will be gathered and used to move forward. Attendees will have the opportunity to review key topics, ask questions and provide input.
“The goal is to create a clear starting point for conversation while allowing space for community members to engage with the material in a way that works best for them,” Bishop said.
The $60,000 paid to Worthy Communications to generate the plan came from the original $300,000 Cuisine Tourism grant awarded to the county by the U.S. Economic Development Administration in 2022. The intent of that grant was to create a regional cuisine tourism plan focused on connecting local restaurants and wineries.
Lobos baseball stretches winning streak to 3
By Dave Lumia
With two more wins over the past week, the Patagonia High baseball team solidified its chances for a state tournament berth, but there is still work to be done.
The Lobos stretched their winning streak to three with a 10-7 victory at Baboquivari on Thursday and a 7-4 victory over San Simon on Monday. The wins improved their record to 8-7 and moved them up to 12th in the 1A rankings. The top 16 teams qualify for the state tournament, which the Lobos haven’t achieved since 2021.
Patagonia has three games remaining in the regular season, starting with tonight’s home finale against 11th-ranked Duncan (12-4) at 6 p.m. The Lobos finish up their schedule with road games at ninth-ranked St. David (8-5) on Friday and 17th-ranked Fort Thomas (4-6) next Monday.
Freshman Troy Hawkins was the starting pitcher in the win over Baboquivari, giving up three runs in four and one-third innings. Junior Kannon Shore started against San Simon and struck out nine while giving up four runs in four and one-third innings. Senior Noah Gallardo got the final eight outs without allowing a hit.
With eight wins, the Lobos already have more victories than any Patagonia team dating back to 2012, which is as far back as is available on the AZPreps website.
Remember When?
We’ve published nearly 3,800 articles from past years’ print editions on the PRT website, with more to come. Take a walk down memory lane with this article from nine years ago …
Reflections on the Patagonia Opera House, 1935–1945
By Lucy Mihalik
April 7, 2017
My first memories of the Patagonia Opera House began in 1935 as a seven-year-old girl and continued until I graduated from Patagonia High School in 1945. The Opera House was the center for social events and town gatherings. Because of the Depression, people were very poor and just trying to get by. The Opera House provided relief from hard times and served as a community center for everyone. It was amazing that several groups traveled to this little town to entertain us. We had live theater, live music, dance performances and popular movies. Click here to read the full article.
Public Service Announcements
To submit an announcement, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
ADOT’s SR 83 lane restrictions in Sonoita are scheduled to continue through April: click here for more information.
From Santa Cruz County:
JP-East Justice Court services are available every first and third Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Sonoita Community Space/County Building. We provide civil services including small claims, civil complaints, evictions, orders of protection and weddings — bringing access to justice closer to Elgin, Sonoita, Canelo and Patagonia. We’re here to serve our community with fairness, empathy, and integrity. Call: (520) 375-7661
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!
Elgin Parent Teacher Club is looking for volunteers to help in the Snack Shack at Little Leagues games from April 1-May 13. All money fundraised goes towards school events and programs, like our upcoming Taiko Drumming! Please visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044FADAB28AAFAC52-63218856-ptclittle to sign up!
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!
The Patagonia Community Garden is celebrating Earth Day in a big way! Structured learning sessions for grades K-8, and a BEE-R GARDEN and INFO FAIR, expert speakers 4-5 pm, our local environmental groups, and live music! Check out our cold custom cocktails and botanical mocktails, or enjoy a beer or wine during our Happy Hour, 5-7 pm. Great raffle prizes will support our scholarship for a local student.
From Santa Cruz Foundation for the Performing Arts:
We invite you to step back in time and rediscover a remarkable decade when art, music and literature responded to a world in upheaval. Our retrospective festival – happening in April and May – explores the 1940s through the voices and sounds that shaped cultural history. Set in the intimate atmosphere of Patagonia, this festival invites us to experience the era not just as history, but as a living conversation between artists, writers and musicians whose works continue to resonate today.
The Santa Cruz Foundation for the Performing Arts is proud to sponsor the Santa Cruz Singers in a special performance of American composer Aaron Copeland’s work and others.
Patagonia is fortunate to have a group dedicated to preserving this cultural art form – a non-auditioned community chorus – a rarity in all of Santa Cruz County. Friends and neighbors with backgrounds and experiences that are truly remarkable and diverse meet each week to share in the music that they have learned and practiced – a place where the differences come together to speak as one voice.
We hope you will come and show your support. Suggested donation $10.
THIS WEEKEND – COME AND SHOP AT A GOOD OLD FASHIONED FLEA MARKET!
COMMUNITY FLEA MARKET @theVINEchurchSonoita
APRIL 24 & 25TH FRIDAY & SATURDAY 8-2:00
We have a great line up of locals bringing their used treasures to our Community Flea market this weekend! Come, enjoy and support local.
If you’d like to set up and sell at this event, it is open to anyone in the community who would like to have a yard sale, but would prefer to have it at a central/public location. Whether you are selling personal items or would like to share your homemade goods and crafts, this event is for you!
Mark your calendars for the Third Annual Patagonia Garden Tour on Saturday, April 25, from 9 AM to noon! Go to the events page of our website to buy your ticket.
This is a great opportunity to look at some of Patagonia’s beautiful garden spaces and become inspired. Once purchased, you can download a map or pick one up in person at the nursery.
CELEBRATE WESTERN CULTURE AND CINEMA
What does Shakespeare have to do with a John Wayne western? Join Mountain Empire Rotary Club for a delicious dinner and the answer to that question. The Club will be
screening the Duke’s classic “McLintock” on Saturday, April 25 at the Sonoita Fairgrounds Pioneer Hall.“From the larger-than-life persona to the all-star cast, it’s a quintessential John Wayne film that happens to have been filmed largely at Old Tucson Studios and around Sonoita,” said Mountain Empire Rotary event co-chair Jean Miller. “Arizona is as much as part of the film as John Wayne himself.”
Guests are encouraged to dress ready to party like it’s 1895. In other words, get into the spirit of territorial Arizona when choosing what to wear. There will be prizes for the best dressed. No weapons allowed.
Each ticket is $65 and includes appetizers, buffet dinner plus two drink vouchers per person. Additional drinks will be available for sale. Tickets are available online. Seating is limited. All ages are welcome.
When: 5 p.m., Saturday, April 25
What: McLintock Dinner & Movie Night
Where: Pioneer Hall – Sonoita Fairgrounds
Presented by: Mountain Empire Rotary Club
Details: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CLw2qq4VY/The evening also will feature raffles, silent auction and McLintock-inspired contests.
Funds raised support community improvement efforts of the Mountain Empire Rotary Club.
“Giselle” by The Royal Ballet (A Blue Ray DVD)
Sunday, April 26, 2026 10 a.m. at The Tin Shed Theater
NO CHARGE * Refreshments & Snacks * Donations Welcome
April 26 – Brahms Piano Quartet:
https://scfpapresents.org/performance/brahms-piano-quartet-a-benderly-concert-event/
UA wild cat researcher to give presentation at Friends of Sonoita Creek’s Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 2, at the Tin Shed
From Friends of Sonoita Creek:
Friends of Sonoita Creek is very excited to announce our Annual Meeting and wildlife program at the Tin Shed Theater in Patagonia on May 2 at 10:00 am.
Our featured presenter, Susan Malusa, will dazzle us with a presentation and slide show featuring jaguars and and ocelots who coexist along Arizona’s borderlands. This event is open to the public and is an excellent way to show your support for Friends of Sonoita Creek. Anita CW will be catering a lovely lunch after Susan Malusa’s presentation.
Susan Malusa is director of the University of Arizona Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center, where she leads long-term monitoring of jaguars and ocelots in southern Arizona. Her work combines wildlife camera data, genetic scat analysis, and environmental DNA (eDNA) to better understand species presence, movement and ecosystem health.
Her team utilizes a community science model, with trained volunteers supporting field data collection across the Sky Islands. Her research focuses on jaguars as an indicator species, using their presence to better understand habitat quality, biodiversity and how these landscapes are functioning.
Susan also developed SPARCd, an open-source platform used to manage and analyze wildlife camera data. Her talk will highlight how community science and emerging tools like eDNA are shaping conservation in the borderlands.
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!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for this Sonoita Produce on Wheels (POWWOW)!
If you’d like to lend a hand, this is what you would be doing… Sorting and Packing fresh produce, and assisting participants as they go through our farmer’s market style line. The shifts are 6:00 – 9:30 AM AND/OR 8:00 – 1100 AM. *Those who volunteer for a shift will receive a complimentary unit of produce.
If you’d like to give back to your community in this way, please call/text gardenia 602.292.1616 and let us know which dates and shifts you’re able to volunteer. Thank you all in advance! What we do, we do together! GM
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This SATURDAY, April 18th Sonoita Produce on Wheels & Local Market, at the VINE Church! Due to our weather warming up our hours this month are ****7-10 AM****
Please come early! First come, first serve!
Borderlands POWWOW in Sonoita, AZ is always on the third Saturday of the month. – please text/call gardenia at 602.292.1616
*At POWWOW it is a $15 contribution for 70 LBS of produce. No residential or income requirements.
If you’d like to join the Community Volunteer Team or become a Market Vendor, please text/call gardenia 602.292.1616.
AND if you know of any youth in the community who would like or need volunteer hours, we can provide documentation for those who would like to volunteer ;D
Follow @SonoitaAZCommunityMarket on FB & IG to see our Veggie Varieties Friday afternoon!
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.
Thursdays: ‘Open Forum‘ at Patagonia Senior Center
A time to share personal stories, interests and ideas.
Thursdays at 1 p.m. after senior lunch
April 23: ALL ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITY GARDEN – David Fain on opportunities for growing food
April 30: THE ART OF AGING IN PLACE — Amber Salinas on how to stay the boss when you need help
An 80-year-long study by Harvard University found that the quality of our relationships helps us live longer, happier lives, more so than genetics. Community provides the grounding force of being seen, known, and supported through life’s ups and downs. There is space in our lives for both self-care and community care.
The phrase “inconvenience is the cost of community” has become a popular slogan online, referring to the effort required to maintain meaningful connections with others—effort which we seemingly are less and less willing to make, even as we crave connection.
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.
Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve Steward
We’re hiring for a Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve Steward to perform preserve operations at the 878-acre property in Patagonia.
Find the full position description and apply today at nature.ly/3NheXj4
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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