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Community Thanksgiving dinner at Sonoita Fairgrounds
Bring your appetite, your family, and your thankful heart. Together, let’s celebrate the gift of gratitude as a loving community this Thanksgiving. For more information or to request a ride, please contact Pastor Tom Moffett Call/Text: (480) 226-9779
thevineschurches@gmail.comThe Vine Church, along with area churches, local businesses, and ministries, are coming together to host a FREE Community Thanksgiving Dinner—and you’re invited! We know that some may not have a place to celebrate this special day. So let’s gather as friends, neighbors, and family to share gratitude, laughter, and a turkey-load of fun!
Research Ranch releases annual report, sets 2026 potluck schedule, seeks volunteers for Christmas Bird Count
News from Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch:
- Our 2026 Potluck Presentation schedule is out! Folks can learn more here, and they can RSVP here.
- We’ve released our 2025 AWRR Annual Report – the community’s one-stop-shop for learning all about the work of the Research Ranch in the previous year. In this document, folks will find some highlights from the year, a summary of all ongoing research, and details about publications released in the past year.
- The annual Appleton-Whittell Christmas Bird Count has been scheduled for January 2. We could still use a few surveyors, and we’re excited to announce that we’ve added some accessible survey locations for folks with mobility limitations who are hoping to participate. If folks want to get involved, they should reach out to Suzanne Wilcox at suzanne.wilcox@audubon.org.
An espresso bar is born
Patagonia Bikes owner Noe Mencias has opened his shop’s side door on Third Avenue as an espresso mini-cafe called Visitors Coffee. The space offers coffee only, no baked goods or other foods—“simple and focused,” says Mencias. Beans come from Tucson’s Presta Roasters. There are no set hours for “pulling shots” at Visitors—Mencias just puts the A-frame sign out when there are people around. He is delighted that people are finding the shop. —Robert Gay
Photos of the Week
Above: “There’s absolutely nothing better than helping out our very favorite old timer, Bud. His ranch spans across the most southern part of the San Rafael Valley where we move cows slow and easy across the high grasslands down into sycamore speckled canyons. His fall works are always my favorite, it’s chilly, the trees are all changing colors, and the autumn crickets sing their songs as we meander down the trail. It’s something pretty special that I’m grateful to be a part of.” —Kayla Lewis/Double Staple Ranch
Above: “Gardner Canyon this past Sunday, just below the summit of Mt. Wrightson. The big storm coated everything in clear rime ice.” —Michael Carter
Above: Travis Gerckens, the Farm Manager at Borderlands Restoration Network (BRN), wraps up the seasonal harvest of farmed native seeds with his trusty companion, Mica Mountain (the dog), on the BRN farm.” Photo by Perin McNelis, BRN Native Plant Program Manager
Above: “During our shift on a recent Saturday, Patagonia Library staff noticed some javelinas sharing a meal with ravens. We thought it’s a nice example of (animal) kindness in our troubled times.” —Anne Vogt/Patagonia Library
Above: Night sky over the Mustang Mountains, mid-October. Photo by Wayne Tomasi
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!
Award-winning concert harpist Ben Albertson will grace our venue with a program that is unique and perfectly paired with the elegant tonality of the harp. Included in the program are works by Faure, Debussy, Bach, Hindemith and a new composition that was premiered in 2025 “Brain Storms” by Chelsea Komschlies.
Solo harp recitals are rare. Make your reservations soon. Tickets are available online: scfpapresents.org
Sunday, November 30, 2pm
Screening in the Tin Shed Theater (340 Naugle Ave., Patagonia), with an introduction by Cholla Duir of the Northern Jaguar Project
$5 suggested donation
The annual “Christmas in Elgin” event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10am-4pm and will have many arts and crafts. The event will be held at the Elgin Community Club, located at 475 Elgin Road in Elgin. Vendors may contact Rebecca Smith at 520-559-4835
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.
Pronghorn Pizza is now hiring kitchen workers. Email resume to chow@pronghorn.pizza
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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