Columbus
Patagonia Regional Times
Real and Imagined Beauty
On a wonderfully clear morning in October I was twice rewarded by nature. First, a vivid green praying mantis latched onto my screen door. I sat down and watched it and, in return, it moved its triangular head every so often to let me know that I, too, was being watched. Then, on my daily walk, a majestic red tail hawk that had been soaring above me decided to get closer and perch atop a telephone pole. I took its picture, said thank you, and watched it leave as I marveled at its colors and the breadth of its wingspan.
PARA Event Raises $10,000
The Patagonia Museum was the site of a mostly outdoor benefit on Oct. 28 for the Patagonia Area Resource Alliance. The weather cooperated and a full moon rose over the hundred or so diners and dancers as they savored some great food provided by Mor-Q. The Tanagers got dancers moving and strings of light added magic to the tables and basketball court dance floor.
Quail Season Is Open
With the Arizona quail season now open, die-hard quail hunters will be looking forward to cooler temperatures to get out with their four-legged counterparts and reap the rewards of an abundance of moisture that came during the 2022-23 winter months. Why? Gambels and to some extent scaled quail need the...
Three Years Here
I think I have been an Arizonan for three years. But maybe I’ve been an Arizonian. According to linguist and professor Elly Van Gelderen of ASU, both statements are simultaneously true. Either way, I have collected a lot of stones and roamed over a lot of the southeastern Arizona landscape and I have learned a few things.
Eating Our Way Through History
Recipes are about more than food. They are a cherished part of ranching heritage. And while biscuits, beans and coffee were a constant on the range, chuck wagon meals and dishes prepared at ranch houses throughout Santa Cruz Couty would have included another mainstay: meat. Or, more correctly, beef. So...
Community Funded, Community Driven: That’s the nonprofit news difference.
November marks the beginning of the Patagonia Regional Times’ annual fundraising campaign, that time of year when we ask our community to help us continue our mission to provide local news here in eastern Santa Cruz County. Our reporting is community driven and community funded. In other words, we...
Patagonia’s Live Music Scene Blossoms
It’s late in the afternoon on a weekend in Patagonia, and the party is about to start at the Patagonia Lumber Company (PLC) cafe/bar. A number of people are here early for the live music that usually runs from 5-8pm, sitting at picnic tables, some near the outdoor stage and dance floor. As the sound equipment is set up, some folks get something to eat from the food vendors nearby, while others head into the PLC’s small building to choose from a wide selection of beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages. Soon the music will start—duos, bands, solo performers, and whoever signs up for the occasional open mic—and the picnic tables will be filled.
Stakeholders Discuss Wine District Development
Fewer than two dozen residents met with County consultants at the Sonoita Fairgrounds on Oct. 24 to discuss a “Wine and Cuisine Tourism District” master plan for the Sonoita-Elgin area. This master plan is part of a larger project that Santa Cruz County is undertaking as part of...
First Photos of Mystery Jaguar Spotted in Southern Arizona Huachuca Mountains
This story was originally published by Arizona Luminaria. A mystery jaguar has been prowling in the mountains of Southern Arizona. The exclusive photographs of a jaguar spotted earlier this year in the Huachuca Mountains southeast of Tucson were shared with Arizona Luminaria by the Center for Biological Diversity. The center...
Red Rock Homeowners, BRN Register ‘Grave’ CCC Safety Concerns With County
The Red Rock Acres Homeowners Association and the Borderlands Restoration Network (BRN) are raising concerns regarding the safety of a proposed intersection between Harshaw Road and South32’s Cross Creek Connector road. In an Oct. 16 letter addressed to Santa Cruz County Manager Jesus Valdez and the County’s three supervisors,...
County Seeking Community Input for Development of Sonoita Wine District
The Santa Cruz County Community Development Department is seeking community input on a project assessing the feasibility of a wine and culinary destination in the Sonoita region. The County is encouraging community feedback on what amenities and types of uses residents would like to see within a wine district. The...
Community News Items – Oct. 2023
The Sonoita-Elgin Fire District invites you to attend an External Stakeholder meeting in support of our strategic planning process. Your input is essential in our understanding what the needs of our community are and we would be grateful for your help. We have scheduled two meetings: Saturday, Oct. 21, 11a.m....
South32 Proposes Patagonia Train Track Trail Relocation
The Patagonia Train Track Trail is a popular trail for locals and visitors to use as a bird watching, hiking, horseback riding or biking trail. The trail is a connector trail for the Arizona Trail from the town of Patagonia to the location where the Arizona Trail crosses SR82 4.5 miles northeast of Patagonia.
New Food Pantry Building Arrives in Sonoita
A new 10’ x 20’ building has been placed next to the Corner Scoop in Sonoita to house the community food pantry run by Helping Hands in Sonoita (HHS), a nonprofit organized in July 2023. As she watched the new building being delivered on Oct. 10, Mary Moran...
Bringing You the News
The PRT is excited to introduce three new community reporters to our readers. Carrie White and Dave Lumia, who recently moved to Sonoita, bring years of experience in the field of journalism to the PRT. Dave, who was a sports reporter, has volunteered to cover school sports for us. Carrie...
2023 Santa Cruz County Fair 4-H/FFA Grand Champions
Approximately 120 youths participated in the 2023 Santa Cruz County Fair. Members of the Rio Rico Rattlesnakes 4-H Club and the Sonoita Mustangs 4-H Club, as well as members of the Benson High School and Rio Rico High School FFA clubs, entered their projects in the fair. The Junior Livestock Auction sales totaled $245,580 with $6,753 going toward scholarships.
A Lifetime in the Mustang 4-H Club
There never was a better place to be a kid. Pattie Oliver knew it then, and she knows it now, having spent the better part of eight decades in the shadow of Mount Wrightson. Living on the KJ Ranch brought freedom and unfettered opportunity to explore the hills around Harshaw on her horse named Red.
Eaves of Disruption
Here’s the thing about setting up house in Sonoita in June. Sure, it’s hot, dry and dusty. Not exactly Chamber of Commerce weather. But there’s also a lingering excitement in the air. Almost like being a kid during those last few weeks before Christmas. The monsoon is...
Letters to the Editor – Oct. 2023
If, 50 years ago, someone would have told me we would one day have book banning in this country, I would have said that no way would Americans ever become that ignorant and weak. Not only was I wrong, but it appears that it is being attempted here in Patagonia.
Patagonia Regional Times
944+
Posts
1M+
Views
Patagonia Regional Times is a free monthly publication serving the Mountain Empire communities of Canelo, Elgin, Patagonia and Sonoita in Santa Cruz County, Arizona.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.