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Photo of the Week
Patagonia Museum board members gather for the opening of the “Road to 250” Arizona Traveling Museum exhibit, hosted by the museum on March 7, on one of its 33 stops around the state. From left: Cynthia Matus Morriss, Jeff Lockwood, Linda Shore, Maureen De La Ossa, Emma Matus Voss, German Quiroga and Robert “Bob” Bergier.
News
Nominations for Patagonia mayor, council member seat due March 23
Text of Town of Patagonia public notice, dated Feb. 11:
Nomination packages are now available to citizens interested in serving on the Town of Patagonia’s Town Council.
A primary election for Mayor and one Council Member seat will be held on Tuesday, July 21.
Qualified electors seeking election to the Town Council must submit nomination packages no later than 5 p.m. on March 23 in order to be placed on the ballot to run in the primary election.
Nomination packages may be obtained at Patagonia Town Hall, 310 McKeown Ave. For more information call 520-394-2229
Sonoita-Elgin chamber chooses board of directors, officers
By Carrie White
The Sonoita-Elgin Merchants Chamber of Commerce has taken the first steps in revitalization efforts with the selection of a seven-member board of directors.
Board members are: Jan Aufdenkamp, Four Tails Tasting Room; Secretary/Treasurer Kayte Comes, Cinnamon Hills Manor, KAC Advisory; Shannon Harwell, Firesky Farms; President Josh Mentesana, Red Tail Real Estate; Eric Pavolka, Arizona Sawmill Builders; Vice President Susan Richards, Sonoita Snaps; and Ron Sirola, Double R Guest Ranch.
The board will meet on March 23 to establish next steps, with a general meeting for chamber members planned for Monday, April 13, at 6 p.m. Location for that meeting is yet to be determined.
Initial priorities for the group will be the re-establishment of the chamber’s 501(c)(3) status; a review of bylaws created by previous board; and creation of a business plan and strategic plan.
Individuals and businesses interested in joining the chamber can fill out an application by clicking fill out an application by clicking here. The annual fee to join the chamber is $200. Checks, made out to the Sonoita-Elgin Merchants Chamber of Commerce, can be mailed to 290 Elgin Canelo Road, Elgin, AZ 85611.
PARA sets April 13 community meeting on Hermosa, other local mining activities
From Patagonia Area Resource Alliance:
Join Patagonia Area Resource Alliance for an informational community meeting to hear the latest updates on actions related to the South32 Hermosa project and other mining activities in the Patagonia Mountains.
Learn about:
• The U.S. Forest Service Final Environmental Impact Statement
• State permits and regulatory actions
• The proposed Community Protection & Benefits Agreement
• Ongoing legal efforts and next stepsHear highlights from local experts and have your questions answered during a facilitated community Q&A.
Location: Cady Hall, Patagonia Public Library (346 Duquesne Ave.)
Date: Monday, April 13, 6 p.m.
All are welcome.
Remember When?
We’ve published nearly 3,700 articles from past years’ print editions on the PRT website, with more to come. Take a walk down memory lane with this article from summer 2021 …
Town looking to close Marshal’s Office
June 22, 2021
At its June 23 meeting, the Patagonia Town Council will vote on a proposal to close the Marshal’s Office on June 30. If the proposal passes, law enforcement in Patagonia will be supplied by the County Sheriff’s Office.
Marshal Joe Patterson, who had previously announced that he was leaving the Department in August, believes that this move is a response to his filing of a complaint against Flood and Flow Chairman Carolyn Shafer.
Town Manager Ron Robinson, however, denies this allegation, saying that he has been looking into closing the Marshal’s office since January 2021.
“I look at two things, I run the numbers and I look at job performance,” Robinson said. “The Marshal’s Office has always seemed to struggle operating within their budget. This [move] gives me a fixed expense.”
Click here to read the full article.
Obituary
Charlotte Jean McEldowney, 1930-2026
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
From East Santa Cruz County Community Food Bank:
Holiday Ham Distribution, Saturday March 28 starting at 9:00 am at the Food Bank, 772 Harshaw Ave, Patagonia.
From Patagonia Regional Aquatic Center:
PRAC is happy to announce we have some fun events coming up in April, as well as a pool opening date!
Our first event is a FREE OPEN HOUSE PLUNGE PARTY happening Saturday, April 11 from 12:00 to 3:00. They’ll be fun and games, light refreshments and a mostly heated pool. Lifeguards will be on duty. We’ll be selling pool passes and punch cards along with a raffle on April 12. (Details on fees will be provided shortly.)
Patagonia Lumber Company will be holding a PRAC fundraising party on April 12 from 3:30 to 7:00, complete with Greek food and music. We’ll also be selling passes at that event.
The most exciting part is opening for our spring hours on Monday, April 13!! Lap swimming at 9:00 and Water Aerobics at 10:45. Our spring hours will be Monday, Wednesdays 9:00 to 12:00, and Fridays from 9:00 to 2:00.
See you at the pool! And at PLC! Opa!
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.
Free Fridays STEAM class for 4th-8th graders in Patagonia
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!
From the Patagonia Community Garden:
Due to the excessive heat warning for this coming Saturday, March 21, the Patagonia Community Garden has decided to cancel our “Games in the Garden” on that date. We don’t want anyone to come to the garden from 10 am -2 pm that day and risk getting heat stroke!
Are we excited that 2026 is the Year of the Horse? You bet your boots we are!
Come ride through rolling hills on trails that cowboys have travelled for over 100 years during our annual Spring Trail Ride on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the Historic Empire Ranch in Sonoita, AZ.
Two-hour guided rides depart at 8:00 am, 11:00 am & 2:00 pm. Rent a horse or Bring Your Own. Enjoy live music, docent tours, and lunch before or after your ride.
Registration closes on March 23, 2026. Don’t miss your chance to experience a piece of authentic western history! Sign-up today: empireranchfoundation.org
Event title: Border BioBlitz
Date: Saturday, April 4, 8am-11am
Location: Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve; 150 Blue Haven Road, Patagonia, AZ 85624
Description: Be a part of this citizen science effort to document the unique biodiversity along the U.S.-Mexico border! Please come prepared with a shade hat, water bottle, sturdy shoes, and a smartphone with the iNaturalist app downloaded.
April 11, 2026: Arizona250 Celebration at the Historic San Rafael Ranch
From Arizona State Parks:
Join us for a special Arizona250 celebration at San Rafael Ranch Historic District, located within the San Rafael State Natural Area.
This commemorative event invites the public to experience one of Arizona’s most significant historic ranching sites while celebrating Arizona’s rich heritage, landscapes, and communities. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to explore the historic ranch house, learn about the San Rafael Valley’s ranching and conservation legacy, and enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding short-grass prairie.
The park is not currently open to the public for general visitation, so this commemorative event is a do-not-miss. Connect with Arizona’s past while supporting the preservation of this remarkable place for future generations!
This event is brought to you by the Friends of San Rafael Valley and Arizona State Parks and Trails. Visit their website at https://fosrv.org. Stay tuned for updates on programming offered and educational partners joining the celebration.
Self guided ranch house tours and educational displays will be offered throughout the day. A dedication of property as an Important Bird Area will be held at 10 a.m.
Know before you go! This location is in a remote area with no amenities, approximately 2 hours south of Tucson, east of Patagonia, Arizona. Plan ahead by bringing plenty of drinking water and fuel. Drive only on designated motor vehicle routes (includes dirt road surface suitable for most vehicles in regular conditions). See an area map and additional information from the Patagonia Mountains and the San Rafael Valley Recreation Opportunity Guide by the USFS – Coronado National Forest at https://www.fs.usda.gov/…/PatagoniaMountainsROG_RG-R3….
This is an Outdoors250 event: a proud part of America250, a nationwide initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States and reflecting on our shared history, values, and future. Learn more at AZStateParks.com/Outdoors250.
EVENT OFFERINGS
– International Bird Area dedication at 10 a.m.
– Self-guided ranch house tours
– Educational displays (leather tooling demo)
– Guided bird walks
– Live performances by musicians Andy Hersey and Bruce Andre
– Food available for purchase from Las Vigas Steak Ranch and Food TruckPARTNERS and SPECIAL GUESTS
– 4-H Youth Development – UA Cooperative Extension
– Arizona Game and Fish Department
– Arizona Revegetation and Monitoring Company
– Audubon Southwest
– Arizona Antelope Foundation
– Friends of Sonoita Creek
– Mescal Movie Set
– Natural Resources Conservation Services NRCS
– Pimeria Alta Museum
– Rio Rico Historical Society
– Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area
– Tucson Bird Alliance
– United States Forest Service — Coronado National Forest with Smokey BearPlease register for this event at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SARATour04112026.
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.
Recurring Events
To list an event, please email prtadast@gmail.com. Image files should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
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
March 19: HISTORY OF MUSIC — Janet Palmer on Camina Burana
March 26: ANXIETY — Patra Kelly on coping with the stresses of life.
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.
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 6:30 – 9:30 AM AND/OR 8:30 – 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, March 21st Sonoita Produce on Wheels & Local Market, at the VINE Church! Due to our weather warming up our hours this month are ****8-10 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!
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.
Research Fellow at Appleton-Whittell Ranch
We’re now accepting applications for our 2026 cohort of Appleton-Whittell Research Fellows.
Each year this program awards up to three early-career scientists with:
- A cash award of $1,000 to be used on any research-related expenses; gear, books, travel, conferences, etc.
- A $500 housing voucher to be used for lodging on the Research Ranch
- Opportunities to share their work through our annual AWRR Fellowship Webinar Series and Audubon websites, newsletters, social media, and more
Applications are due by midnight on March 30 and more information (including eligibility details, information about past fellows, and a scoring rubric) can be found here.
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
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