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Patagonia Regional Times
Glimpses Into Our Past: The Lamma Family
The Patagonia Museum has an undated scrapbook titled “Pioneer Park Names of Pioneers and Donors of Trees.” It includes biographies of individuals or families who were honored as Patagonia pioneers by the planting of a tree. The trees were most likely planted in 1966 when the Southern Pacific Railroad released the right of way for the railroad track, between McKeown Ave. and SR82, to the town of Patagonia. The town, the Patagonia Woman’s Club, and the Patagonia-Sonoita Rotary Club collaborated to create the park area. [Arizona Daily Star, 3/6/1966].
Mustang 4-H Club Gets a Glimpse of Local History
The Mustang 4-H Local History Project has members learning about historical events, important places, and colorful characters from the past. Leaders Cami Schlappy and Jennifer Keith want to have members gain a better understanding of our shared western heritage, get glimpses into our past by visiting historic sites, and gain an understanding of the importance of preservation and conservation. The local history project consists of approximately 20 4-Hers ranging from 8 to 16 years old and their accompanying parents/grandparents.
Fly Fishing for Bass in the Sky Islands
When I moved to Patagonia 16 years ago from Calgary, Alberta, I took full advantage of the world-class bird hunting found in the area. I was at a bit of a loss, however, about what to do with my free time when quail season ended. As an avid fly fisher...
Town Council Notes – April 2023
Heather Floyd, from Valley Telecom, presented an update on the progress of the ACA grant to extend a fiber optics internet system across Patagonia. She apologized for the delay and explained the timing of the project had been stretched out by government processing times, particularly the processing of the initial Federal grant for the project.
Letters to the Editor – April 2023
With respect to the article “Aquatic Center Receives Legacy Foundation Grant,” in the PRT’s March issue, I would like to give everyone an update and a heartfelt thank you to our community for your generosity and funding support for the innovative idea to purchase a heater to possibly extend the Patagonia Pool season. In addition to the $43,000 Legacy Foundation Grant, the Patagonia Regional Aquatic Center (501 C3) had to raise $57,000 as the match prior to the advancing of the grant funds. This seemed an impossible feat, but we did it!!
Real or Imagined?
Is virtual as real as real? Facebook and all the rest of them did not erupt and ramify because there was no thirst for them. When you’re alone, these days, you’re not alone. A large part of folks’ social lives these days is virtual. And that goes double for the folks I know who live alone. Are online friends and friendships really real? As real – and “real” means “nourishing”- as the old-fashioned, up-close kind that called for antiperspirants?
A 100-Woman Pile-Up
In all the years I have written this column (10 or 12 years?) I’ve only had two columns rejected. ‘Unprintable’ is what I was told on the last one. The one before that, the paper was fearful of retribution. Both columns were about a man. Not the...
TerraSol: A Place for Campers to Rest and Recover
‘TerraSol’ is the heading on the business card of Mary Tolena’s new business just outside of Patagonia on Harshaw Road. Just underneath that script, in just a few words, “Camping, Community & Music,” Tolena describes what she is offering at TerraSol to visitors to her property.
Community Steps Up to Support Ukraine
The March 6 fundraiser at the Sonoita Fairgrounds Pioneer Hall drew approximately 200 people and raised over $17,000 to support the war effort in Ukraine. The gathering, organized by Canelo resident Jim Koweek, was characterized by hope and compassion for those facing war and the devastating effects. “It’s a serious subject, but it’s more of a gathering of friends and neighbors who want to support the Ukrainian people,” Koweek said.
Santa Rita Abbey Celebrates 50 Years
I had never sat down to chat with a Mother Superior before, let alone a cloistered one. I didn’t quite know what to expect as I headed out to Santa Rita Abbey northwest of Sonoita to learn about its Golden Jubilee. I did not foresee a nonstop laughing session with Mother Vicki as she shared her stories.
A History of Winemaking in Sonoita/Elgin, Part 2: The Rough Years
For Part 1 in this series, click here. The Arizona commercial winemaking industry started right here in Elgin when University of Arizona’s Dr. Gordon Dutt, along with his friend Blake Brophy, planted an experimental vineyard on Brophy’s Babacomari Ranch in the early 1970s. The test vineyard was a success, but Dutt eventually realized that new laws were necessary for the industry to advance into profitability. So, Dutt and his colleagues formed the Arizona Wine Growers Association (AWGA) in 1981, and in 1982 they got the Domestic Farm Winery Bill passed, allowing wineries to bypass distributors and to market directly to the public and run tasting rooms.
State Prepares to Restore Historic San Rafael Ranch
Twenty-three years after purchasing the historic San Rafael Ranch House and the surrounding 3,557 acres, the Arizona State Legislature has finally provided enough money through the Heritage Fund to begin repairs and upgrades. This $1.5 million initiative will be the first step towards enabling public access to the ranch, which sits about a mile and a half north of Lochiel and the international border.
Putting Out Fires
When Sharon Raymond saw flames rising up in her neighbor’s field on Camino Del Corral in Elgin on April 3, she immediately dialed 911. Because the Raymonds live on the east side of the county, her call was answered not by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Dept., but by a dispatcher on Fort Huachuca, causing a delay in the call being routed to the Sonoita Elgin Fire Dept. (SEFD).
Sky Islands’ Biodiversity Stars in New Film
“Biodiversity in the Heart of the Sky Islands,” a new documentary film from naturalist, wildlife biologist, and PRT columnist Vincent Pinto and filmmaker/videographer Michele Gisser, premiered last month at a sold-out Tin Shed Theatre. The 84-minute film, which included many of Pinto’s stunning photographs taken over the years, captivated the audience.
Author Phil Caputo Previews New Novel at Cady Hall
On March 25, local snowbird resident, journalist, novelist, and all-around author Phil Caputo, addressed an enthusiastic gaggle of fans and well-wishers at Cady Hall, reading passages from his new novel, Memory and Desire, which will be published this fall. Caputo is currently Patagonia’s ranking literary light, now that Jim Harrison, his dear friend and hunting pal, has gone to the great bookshop in the sky.
Bundle This
I always pay my satellite/internet bill late. Usually I let it go until I get one of those threatening letters or email notifications telling me that If I don’t… then they will…. I usually call-pay my previous balance and all is right with the world until next month and then the whole vicious cycle starts over again.
Scenes From the Longview Fire
The Longview Fire (aka “Elgin Brush Fire”) burned 553 acres before crews from several fire departments brought it under control. The fire originated in a vacant barn on Longview Loop Road in Elgin and then spread across the Babacomari Ranch. There were no injuries. One barn and an outbuilding were lost, one travel trailer was destroyed and one additional structure suffered internal damage. Residents on Longview Loop Road were evacuated for several hours.
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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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