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Photo of the Week
Above: Jack Wester serves up holiday cheer at the Ugly Sweater party hosted by the Elgin School PTA at the Sonoita Fairgrounds on Dec. 19. Photo by Marion Vendituoli
News
Sonoita Elementary School District’s Daniel Erickson honored as AZ Superintendent of the Year
Superintendent Daniel Erickson has been named the Arizona School Administrators’ 2025-26 Superintendent of the Year for small school districts serving fewer than 1,000 students. Click here to read the news release.
And here’s the PRT’s 2024 profile of Mr. Erickson: “A Visit to the Principal’s Office” by Dottie Farrar.
Congratulations, Dan!
Awards, Board elections at SCCFRA Christmas Dinner
Santa Cruz County Fair & Rodeo Association members Ron Hirsch and Nick Robbs received service awards, while Jessica Brack-Merrill, Juli Miller and Paul Brosseit were elected to terms on the board at the Dec. 6 meeting.
Click here to read the full article by Pat McNamara.
Hermosa CPBA signatories report November work
In a Dec. 18 press release, the City of Nogales, the Town of Patagonia, Santa Cruz County and South32 outlined how they were advancing a Community Protection & Benefit Agreement. Click here to read the press release.
Patagonia Minstrels lead PCUMC Christmas Singalong in the park
Photo by Binx Selby 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Photo by Linda Jade Fong 
Cynie Murray and Jackie Heyen, coordinators of the PCUMC-hosted Second Annual Christmas Singalong outdoors at the Patagonia Gazebo. Photo by Linda Jade Fong
By Linda Jade Fong
The Patagonia Community United Methodist Church hosted its second annual Christmas Singalong outdoors last weekend at the Patagonia Gazebo. The Patagonia Minstrels were joined in the fun by almost 60 folks in total, including singers and musicians, babies and dogs. After the singalong, everyone moved over to Thurber Hall for cookies, cocoa and cider. The festivities were coordinated by PCUMC’s Cynie Murray and Jackie Heyen.
Patagonia students sing at Winter Concert
Grasshoppers in December
By Vince Pinto
Given the recent balmy December weather, a variety of invertebrates have remained active in our area. Among them have been a good handful of grasshopper species, including these two filmed at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary.
The first one sports the appropriate moniker “plains lubber,” given its rather gargantuan proportions and its preferred open habitats. In particular, note its outsized legs. Like most grasshoppers it is a good leaper—an ability that helps to catapult it away from looming predators. If that doesn’t do the trick, then a forceful kick delivered to a smaller attacker just might. If you pick up a Plains lubber, you will no doubt be the recipient of such a quasi-martial arts move. Further protection from becoming a meal comes in the form of “spitting tobacco”—a move that many grasshoppers employ. In the throes of danger, they regurgitate their stomach contents, a vile brew for would-be predators. Additionally, plains lubbers consume a varied plant diet that makes them distasteful to rapacious predators. Finally, they can deliver a nasty bite with powerful jaws.
All of these defenses are necessary given the utter lack of flight capabilities in the species. Note the dwarfed, vestigial wings on this individual. No doubt all of these traits have also led the species to evolve a coloration that says “you can try to eat me, but it’s rather a poor idea.” One last tidbit on the plains lubber: it sometimes resorts to cannibalism when food supplies are scarce.
The second species is a band-winged grasshopper in the genus Trimerotropsis. It is quite different in many of its evolved traits and behaviors when compared to the plains lubber. The first thing that leaps out—no pun intended—is the camouflaged appearance of the species. I have nicknamed it the “desert camo grasshopper” for that reason. Unless an individual of this species plays its hand by moving, spotting one is next to impossible, as it often blends perfectly into a background of rock-strewn soil.
Generally speaking, well-camouflaged invertebrate species are also palatable ones. Greater roadrunners consume many grasshoppers and would relish this species. First they have to spot one and then lunge with great speed, for the desert camo grasshopper is not only a good leaper but has well-developed wings. An outed individual takes to the air in a low, long leap and flight, rapidly landing a dozen feet or so away. During its flight the colorful inner wings—turquoise in this species—are revealed, rendering the fleeing grasshopper more visible to the predator. This seems a great folly, of course. However, when the grasshopper lands with great suddenness, it once again vanishes, baffling the predator who thought it was honing in on a meal. Desert camo grasshoppers are strict herbivores.
Obituaries
Public Service Announcements
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School News and Youth Events
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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!
Christmas Eve service at the Patagonia Community Church (387 McKeown Avenue) will be at 7pm on Wednesday, Dec. 24. They write: “Please come and join us at the jewel box on the corner for an evening of special music and a closing candlelight procession. You do not want to miss this special service. “
Recurring Events
To list an event, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
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.
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.
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 email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
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.
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