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Photo Gallery of the Week
Over 350 guests attended the Empire Ranch Foundation’s 2025 celebration of National Day of the Cowboy on July 26. Entertainment was provided by musician Jay Faircloth and cowgirl poet Maria Eastman. Everyone enjoyed the Western skills and Santa Cruz County 4-H demonstrations. —Alison Bunting
News
Candidates for Congress to debate in Patagonia on Saturday, Aug. 16
The PRT will host Democrat Adelita Grijalva and Republican Daniel Butierez at a special candidates’ forum on Aug. 16 at the Tin Shed Theater in Patagonia.
The two candidates are facing off in a special election on Sept. 23 to determine who will serve the remaining 15 months of the late Rep. Raul Grijalva’s term in Congress representing Arizona’s 7th congressional district (CD7).
Rep. Grivalja died in office on March 13; Adelita is his eldest daughter.
All of Eastern Santa Cruz County is inside CD7, a geographically massive district that includes most of the Mexico–United States border in Arizona, as well as one-third of Tucson. CD7’s population is 811,000 and is 83.6% urban, 16.4% rural, 60% Hispanic and 29% white. As registered Democrats currently outnumber registered Republicans in the district by a nearly 2:1 margin (174,992 to 92,057), it is considered a safely Democratic seat.
Butierez faced the late Rep. Grivalja in the November 2024 general election and lost by 63.4%-36.6%.
More details about the candidates and the Aug. 16 forum will be available soon.
Sonoita teacher named semifinalist for Arizona Teacher of the Year
Press Release
(Aug. 4, 2025) Callie Mattus, a highly respected teacher at Elgin Elementary School in the Sonoita Elementary School District, has been named a semifinalist for the 2026 Arizona Teacher of the Year by the Arizona Education Foundation. She was selected as one of only ten educators statewide to be recognized with this honor.
Each year, the Arizona Teacher of the Year program honors exceptional educators who exemplify best practices in teaching, demonstrate outstanding leadership, and make a lasting impact on students, schools, and their communities. With over 60,000 public school teachers serving in more than 2,000 schools across Arizona, being named a semifinalist places Ms. Mattus in the top tier of educators statewide.
“Callie Mattus is the kind of teacher every student deserves,” said Daniel Erickson, Superintendent/Principal of Sonoita Elementary School District. “She leads with purpose, inspires with passion, and consistently brings out the best in her students and colleagues. We are extremely blessed to have her on our team. She is a true example of excellence in teaching, teacher leadership, and ‘rowing the boat’ with heart and commitment every day.”
While Ms. Mattus has chosen to step back from the statewide selection process at this time, the honor of being named a semifinalist stands as a powerful recognition of her tremendous contributions to education and to the students of our community.
Three local wineries place in USA Today awards
By Dave Lumia
Three Sonoita-Elgin wineries garnered top-10 honors in the USA Today Readers’ Choice
Awards.
In voting for the best wine tasting room in the U.S., Los Milics Vineyards finished fourth, and Rune Wines finished sixth.
In voting for the nation’s best winery restaurant, Pronghorn Pizza, operated in conjunction with Dos Cabezas Wineworks, finished ninth.
Of bluebirds and Botteri’s Sparrows: Appleton-Whittell summer research fellows to discuss their work in free lunchtime webinars
From Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch:
This year’s Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch fellows are focusing on migratory birds, their response to a changing climate, and identifying key habitat features and environmental factors that affect these species on their breeding and wintering grounds.
To celebrate our fellows’ successful research seasons and to learn from their time in the field, we hope you’ll join on September 9 and 10 from noon to 1pm for this year’s round of Appleton-Whittell Research Fellow Webinars. During each of these one-hour sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to learn a bit about our fellows’ time on the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch, their research, and the conservation implications of their studies.
On September 9, 2025, Research Ranch Fellow Matt Jenkins presents “Bluebirds: Model species for evolution, development, and environmental resilience.”
On September 10, 2025, Research Ranch Fellow Heaven Perez Sanchez presents “Using Motus technology to understand local and seasonal movements of Botteri’s Sparrow.”
Don’t miss out on this rare chance to see behind the scenes of one of the Southwest’s premier field research stations – learn more about our Research Fellows and register for both sessions today!
Life (and death) cycle of the Sky Islands’ water-loving paper wasp
By Vince Pinto
In the video above, two paper wasps struggle to free themselves from the surface of a wildlife pond at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary. Initially drawn by the need to procure water, the surface cohesion ultimately led to their demise.
Each day various species of paper wasps in the genus Polistes need to find water in order to drink, but also to help fabricate their namesake nest material. The “paper” is actually composed of chewed plant fibers that are mixed with saliva—all aided by gathering water. In fact, paper wasps are so tied to water sources and have such weak flying ability that I often use them as an indicator of water during my wilderness survival courses. If you see a paper wasp or two, I tell my students, then you are likely within a quarter mile of a water source!
The construction of their familiar nests allows Polistes wasps to live a social life as colonial hymenopterans—much like honey bees, though they are far fewer in number. A large Paper Wasp nest might harbor around 50-100 inhabitants. Initially founded by an overwintering and impregnated queen wasp, the colony grows as she lays eggs in the nest’s cells that will mature into sterile female workers. These workers perform all of the vital tasks of the nest, including procuring various insects and other invertebrates, which they dispatch by stinging—food for the growing brood. Each food item is masticated prior to feeding it to the larvae. Come autumn, the queen lays eggs that will develop into kings and queens that will mate. The kings soon die, survived by impregnated queens that will found new nests in spring.
Of course, humans too sometimes run afoul of paper wasp stings. Given their proclivity to construct nests on human structures, the inevitable sometimes happens and we are sent unceremoniously packing. If attacked, running is definitely a good option as, despite being poor aerialists, the wasps selectively attack our faces, easily recognizing our vulnerable spot. Maintain a respectful distance from any nest—at least ten feet—and you need not incur their wrath. Instead, tolerate their presence, and your gardens or native landscaping will benefit from their pest control and pollinator services.
On the flip side of the coin, paper wasps are preyed on by large robber flies, certain birds (especially tanagers) and orb-weaver spiders. To protect themselves from ant attacks, paper wasps imbue the stem of their nest with a repellent chemical.
Public Service Announcements
From Sonoita Jr. Rodeo:
Jr. Rodeo entries open this week!!! Local (live permanently in Sonoita, Elgin, Patagonia, Canelo or Rain Valley) entries open at 9am on August 7. Non-local entries open at 9:00 am on August 11th. Please read the rules before entering! Entries are limited to one entry per weekend per event. sonoitafairgrounds.com/junior-rodeo
Aug. 9: August Supplemental Food Distribution at Food Bank in Patagonia
From East Santa Cruz County Community Food Bank:
Come to the Food Bank Saturday August 9 between 8:30am and 10:30am to pick up a supplemental food bag! Address is 772 Harshaw Avenue, Patagonia, AZ 85624
Thrift Shop co-managers Nell and Kyle are happy to accept drop-in volunteers to help pack up and move inventory during the first week of August. Please come by the Thrift Shop at 387 McKeown Ave.
School News and Youth Events
Upcoming Events
To share information about an upcoming event in the PRT Weekly News Bulletin, 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!
From Borderlands Restoration Network:
Monsoon Mixer with Borderlands Restoration Network
Saturday, August 23 5-8 PM
Patagonia Lumber Company
Celebrate the season of renewal with Borderlands Restoration Network at our Monsoon Mixer! Join us for a casual evening gathering where you can connect with BRN staff, board members, and fellow supporters who care deeply about restoring and protecting the borderlands.
Enjoy music from Connie Brannock & Little House of Funk, a great beer and wine selection, and delightful company as we share updates from the field, stories from the borderlands, and our vision for the work ahead. This is a special opportunity to meet the people behind the work and learn how your support makes a lasting impact.
Let’s raise a glass to rain, resilience, and restoration. We can’t wait to see you there!
Award-winning early music ensemble Magdalena to perform free concert in Patagonia
From Santa Cruz Foundation for the Performing Arts:
We are thrilled to announce that the Benderly-Kendall Opera House has again been selected as the first of three venues for the concert winners of the 2025 Arizona Early Music Emerging Ensemble Residency Program. This prestigious program aims to support and showcase new talents in the field of early music (music from the 14th and 15th centuries, played on period instruments). We are honored to host Magdalena—this year’s winning ensemble—at our exquisite venue in Patagonia.
We hope you won’t miss this opportunity to be part of an exciting musical event!
Join us on Wednesday August 27 at 5pm in congratulating the performers and celebrating their dedication to enriching the world of early music!
Get ready for the 110th Annual Labor Day Rodeo — it’s almost here! Tickets will be available starting July 30 at SonoitaFairgrounds.com — so hold on to your hats and mark your calendars!
From the Santa Cruz Foundation for the Performing Arts (SCFPA):
The announcement for our upcoming season was designed by the talented Paula Schaper and inspired by Pat McNamara’s wonderful work of art. Please mark your calendars for the 2025-2026 season at the Benderly-Kendall Opera House. Tickets will go on sale September 15.
Recurring Events
From the 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
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.
From Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office:
We are hiring!!!! We have openings for Patrol Deputy, Detention Officer, and Communications Officer (Dispatch).
No experience? That’s completely okay! We’re here to support you every step of the way by sponsoring your training through a trusted, certified academy.
Who’s eligible? We are accepting applications from certified officers and sponsored recruits.
Applicants for sponsored recruitment must be at least 21 years old, pass a physical and written test, undergo a polygraph and medical exam, and successfully complete a background check.
Where can you apply? Only applications received through the link below will be accepted.
https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3602/Employment-Application?bidId=
Have Questions? Call the Santa Cruz County Human Resource Office at 520-375-7638 or email at SCCHR@santacruzcountyaz.gov
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 News Bulletin, website or a custom package, please contact Nisa Talavera at prtads@gmail.com or 740-206-9594.
Private collector interested in buying good quality minerals from the Patagonia area and other Arizona locations. Please contact Bob Stewart, 315-440-2786 (Sahuarita)
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