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Patagonia Regional Times
Finding the Old Road: The 1913 Tucson to Huachuca Roadway
In the May 2018 issue of the Patagonia Regional Times, “Glimpses Into Our Past” columnist Alison Bunting wrote about the old public roadway between Tucson and Huachuca (City). I found this very interesting and decided to do one of my “hobby things” and try to determine where the actual roadway route of 1913 went through our area.
Starstruck: The Whirlpool Galaxy
On a moonless night in the middle of April I pointed my telescope to a spot not far from the Big Dipper. The 22mm lens gave me a magnification 60 times that of my eyes, more than enough to give me a pretty decent view of the Whirlpool Galaxy. If you Google it, you’ll see much more than I did, thanks to the advantages of astrophotography. And yet, catching it “live” felt special. In the same field of view I could see the small galaxy – NGC 5195 – alongside it, that seems to be pulling at one of the Whirlpool’s arms. At that moment, the light, the haziness that made me blurt out something like “man, that’s beautiful” had been on the move for over 30 million years.
Let’s Go Get Stones: Beyond Alto
Some adventures can be started and completed within the same day. Some can take decades to come to fruition. In the early 2000s, my wife and I began a quest that we did not complete until 20 years later. We were developing a real fondness for off-highway Arizona. There were,...
Be Firewise
It’s May, but fire season isn’t here. That’s because we no longer have a fire season in Southeast Arizona, said Sonoita Elgin Fire District (SEFD) Chief Marc Meredith. “Year-round is the new reality for wildland fires, both human and natural caused,” he explained. “So far in 2023, SEFD has responded to 21 wildfires, with 700 acres burned. So, we have a shifting mindset. Any month of the year can hold a fire threat. Anything flammable will burn.”
Walking and Working With Your Dog
Walking your dog is a great way for both of you to get some exercise and to bond. As we all know, Patagonia is a very dog friendly town that is ripe for walking dogs and another chance to say “hi or “hola” to our friendly neighbors. You can also work in some very basic obedience drills on your walks.
Adios, Container Wall
More than two dozen people gathered in Coronado National Forest on April 2 to celebrate the removal of the shipping container border wall they had successfully organized and protested against last winter. The gathering was held at the former site of “Camp Ocelot,” the protesters’ encampment and staging ground. Attendees exchanged gifts, memories, updates and words of gratitude.
Patagonia Artist Opens New Museum in Nogales
A large crowd showed up for the opening of the new Paula Wittner Museum on Morley Ave. in Nogales on April 29. The Wittner Museum is a part of the growing movement to create an arts district in Nogales. Previously in the PRT: “New Art Museum to Be Named After...
Friends of Sonoita Creek Hold Annual Meeting
Friends of Sonoita Creek (FOSC) met at The Nature Conservancy (TNC)’s 36-acre wooded parcel across the street from Doc Mock Park, a fitting site for the opening segment of the watershed organization’s annual membership meeting. After welcoming the 40 or so attendees, President Bob Proctor turned the emcee...
Letters to the Editor – May 2023
I read the article on the Ranch House in Lochiel (“State Prepares to Restore Historic San Rafael Ranch”, April 2023)that was previously owned by Mrs. Sharp and later her children. My question is why are only a select of individuals deciding what is to come of the property? The individuals who reside in Lochiel and have for many of years should have an input.
Town Council Notes: April 2023
Call to the public began with Maggie Urgo of Voices from the Border explaining the request for installation of an art-hanging system in Cady Hall. Under New Business later in the meeting, mayor and council approved the purchase of this system, to be paid by Voices from the Border, at no cost to the town.
Life Among the Humans: Almost Hitting a Skunk
Best Read Aloud. Refrigerate After Opening. I keep resolving not to read or listen to the news, but, sad to say, I’m addicted. Hearing or watching the news every day is like injecting yourself with poison . . . so polarized, immoderate, indecent, and chaotic is the current daily scene – the animosity, mistrust, dishonesty, misinformation, corruption, and irrationality – that I don’t really want to deal with it. So, this month, instead of poisoning myself – or you – with thoughts about Matt Gaetz or Trump or wormlike Lindsay Graham, whom someone described as “a blubbering elf,” I’ll write about something more personal, closer to home.
For Jaxon and the Class of 2023
As we get close to the end of another school year, and with graduation looming, I am reminded of my time in high school 30 years ago. For me it was a train wreck and every day I thank my lucky stars that my mistakes weren’t immortalized on TikTok – but I digress. What I’m really here to do is give some advice and guidance to the new crop of young adults heading out into this uncertain world, advice I wish I would have gotten. To the Class of 2023, please read on…
Arizona: First in Choice, Last in Funding
In 2018, Arizona voters rejected school voucher expansion by 1.5 million votes, nearly a 2-1 margin. Once again, Governor Ducey and the Legislature ignored public sentiment and in 2022, the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) bill was signed into law. State officials estimated that only 4,500 students would participate at a projected cost of $31.5 million. Currently, 57,849 students are reportedly enrolled at a cost of over $405 million. Apparently, there is no precise method of identifying the actual cost but Save Our Schools AZ projects the amount to rise to $619 million by next year.
Book Review: An 800-Mile Journey Across Arizona
At first glance, “Rim to River” seems to be yet another memoir of hiking the Arizona Trail. Starting at the Utah/Arizona border, author Tom Zoellner begins his 800-mile journey south to the Mexican border. He describes the hike – enduring the cold, heat, loneliness, and dehydration most trekkers will encounter – but more importantly, the trail serves to provide a framework for his forays into the social, cultural, environmental, and political history of Arizona, subjects he has spent his career observing and writing about.
Young Man on a Mission
Thomas Botz, of Patagonia is a young man on a mission. He prefers to be called Elder Botz, “elder” being the title conferred upon young men reaching the age of 18 who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon Church.
A Passion for Dog Rescue
The mythologist Joseph Campbell emphasized that the most important task in our lives is finding and following our bliss, or passion. Sue Bergier has always known hers – animals. Sue grew up in Florida, preferring to spend time outdoors, in nature, discovering interesting animal life. She moved to the...
“We Are Artists” Opens in Nogales
The red carpet was rolled out for the opening of “We Are Artists” at the Oasis Cinema in Nogales on April 28. The artists, in formal dress, walked proudly down the red carpet before the viewing to the applause of the guests lining the walkway. “There was so...
Sanctuary Provides a Forever Home
The one thing that can be said for Dr. Toni Leo, the clinical health psychologist and proprietor of Whisper’s Sanctuary, is that no grass ever grows beneath her feet. A Massachusetts native, Leo’s love of horses has landed her in the Canelo Hills as caretaker of over 40 horses, donkeys, a couple of mules, geese, cats and a rather elderly goat.
New BRN Director Takes Over
Dr. Rodrigo Sierra-Corona, Borderlands Restoration Network’s (BRN) new Executive Director, began the job in late March, replacing Dr. Kurt Vaughn. Sierra described feeling, as he drove to work on his first day, that “I am going today to my dream job.”. While his feet may be closer to...
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Patagonia Regional Times is a free monthly publication serving the Mountain Empire communities of Canelo, Elgin, Patagonia and Sonoita in Santa Cruz County, Arizona.
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