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Patagonia Regional Times
New County Manager Appointed
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously at the Supervisors meeting held on March 7 to appoint Jesus Valdez as County Manager. Valdez, who is currently serving as Deputy County Manager, as well as Director of Public Works for the county, will be replacing Jennifer St. John, who will be retiring in July.
Public Detour for Work on Harshaw Road
South32 will be working to make improvements to Harshaw Road near the Hermosa Project entrance for approximately six months starting this month, resulting in a public traffic detour. Road detour signs will be established where the road intersects with the north and south edges of the Hermosa Project site. A detour around the construction zone—along a short stretch of Flux Canyon Road—will be made available for public use during this time. Emergency services have been notified.
Longview Fire Progress Halted, Evacuations Lifted
Fire crews have stopped forward progress of the Longview Fire that began Sunday afternoon some time around 3pm. According to an eyewitness account, the fire started at a vacant barn on Longview Loop Rd. in Elgin. Approximately 553 acres have burned so far. Multiple agencies throughout Santa Cruz and Cochise...
BREAKING NEWS – Wildfire in Elgin Area, Evacuations Ordered
UPDATE, Sunday 7PM from AZ Forestry, which took command of Longview Fire earlier today:. “Crews have stopped forward progress on Longview Fire, 553 acres. All evacuations have been lifted. The fire started Sunday afternoon as a structure fire that spread to the wildland.”. A “large scale wildfire incident” is underway...
Out of the Ashes, a New Local Bar
May 2017 saw a fire and destruction of Cunningham’s Ranch House Bar and Restaurant in Sonoita. First established in 1978, Cunningham’s was a gathering place for local ranchers, cowboys and travelers passing through on Hwy 82. Out of the ashes rose the new Ranch House Tavern, which opened...
Elgin Vineyard Wins Ten Awards
The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition winners are in after several days of swirling, sniffing, savoring, and spitting. There were over sixty judges, representing various North American wine regions who evaluated 5,500 wines from nearly 1,000 wineries. Since it began in 1983, the event has grown to be the largest of its kind in the world and has expanded to all bonded wineries in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Aquatic Center Receives Legacy Foundation Grant
In January, the Legacy Foundation awarded Patagonia Regional Aquatics Center (PRAC) a $43,000 Innovative Grant. The Legacy Foundation awards organizations that align with their mission of “promoting population health and community wellness throughout Southeast Arizona.” PRAC’s mission is to raise funds for the operations and maintenance of the Patagonia Pool. We are responsible for the annual budget each year.
Happy 75th Anniversary, Patagonia!
In January 1948, the property owners of Patagonia voted (76 to 6) for incorporation at a special election. In February 1948, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors appointed Leland Wilson, William Waggoner, Frank Lamma, R C Blabon and Charles Mapes as the first aldermen for the newly incorporated city of Patagonia.
“Save the Library” 25 Years Later
It was January 1, 1998. The late Doris Wenig, President of the Patagonia Friends of the Library was standing outside the Post Office with a sign that read ‘Chocolate Chip Cookies Save the Library.’ Wenig was handing out cookies in exchange for ideas to fund the librarian’s salary, since she had been told just a week prior that the Town of Patagonia would be significantly cutting the Patagonia Library’s budget starting in February. Basic operations would still be funded, at a reduced level, but not the staff.
News From Rotary Club
The Mountain Empire Rotary (MER) began 2023 with a recycling and shredding event for our community on Jan. 7 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Thanks to the community members who turned out for the successful event, and also for their generous donations. Money raised at these events, like all our fundraisers, allows the Club to continue with projects supporting the needs of our community – projects like our dictionary and birthday book programs, high school scholarships, monetary academic awards, Rodeo Youth awards, support for the SCCFRA Fundraisers, Rotary Youth Leadership Camps (RYLA), and support to other non-profit community organizations.
Spotlight on PRT Press Core Program
First, what IS the Press Core? The Press Core is a group of dedicated PRT readers who support us on a monthly basis. These recurring monthly donations provide a predictable and stable income stream for the PRT. Joining the Press Core is a powerful way to invest in our mission to bring local news to our community.
Glimpses Into Our Past: Sunnyside and the McIntyre Family, Part 3
This is part three of the Sunnyside story, begun in the January PRT. Roberta Nye Lamma, known as Biff, wrote “A Place Called Sunnyside” in 1982. Her account is based on stories told to her by her mother, Anna Laura O’Harra Nye and other Sunnyside residents. Biff came to Sunnyside in 1915, at a time “Arizona was considered booming and again Sunnyside dreamed a dream…of getting everyone to return…build their homes…and maybe even getting the mine going again. This dream…did not materialize and the population…never got over eighteen or twenty.” [Lamma: 32]. The remains of Sunnyside are located on private property. For permission to visit the area contact JD Hathaway [hathaway.j.david@gmail.com].
Let’s Cook With the Elgin/Sonoita Cowbelles: Hamburger Mushroom Delight
“This quick, easy recipe has been a longtime family favorite. No need for a last minute dash to the market since the ingredients are staples in most kitchens.” Betty Barr, Cowbelle with Farm Girl roots. Ingredients:. 1 lb. Ground chuck. 1/4 cup butter. 2 T chopped onion. 1/2 lb....
Letters to the Editor – March 2023
The Patagonia Regional Times encourages everyone to comment publicly on the events and times in which we live. Letters must be signed by the author and include town of residence. Letters are limited to 200 words. The PRT reserves the right to edit all letters for language, length, and content. Please send your letter, in MS Word, to prteditor@gmail.com.
Town Council Notes – March 2023
Manager Ron Robinson reported that AZ Dept. of Environmental Quality had given approval to the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, after a substantial site review, on January 28. He also mentioned that the fire-break clearing along Costello was being finished. A study session, open to the public, was scheduled for...
Portraits in Recycled Wood
Photographer Kasia Palermo has found “the place where everyone is so friendly” here in Sonoita. A native of Poland, Palermo spent two years in London as a fashion model before immigrating to the United States in 1993. She landed in Santa Cruz, CA where she became versed in the art of photography. “Instead of being the subject of photographs as a model, I decided to be on the other side of the camera as the photographer,” she said.
Potty Humor
By the time you read this I will be married to a 50-year-old. Yep, Zach turned 50 on March 4. All in all, not much has changed, with a few exceptions: he seems to be more receptive to taking ibuprofen, eating veggie burgers, and taking vitamins. Which is sort of a miracle since up until now he’s been ten foot tall and bulletproof and very unwilling to admit that a steady diet of bacon and Apple Jacks may not be the way to a healthy future. So, when Zach came to me and said that it was time for a physical, I was elated. I would finally have vindication for all my constant nagging about cholesterol. But what transpired was more than I could have imagined. We went to our physicals and for the most part all went well. As I guessed, his cholesterol was high, and a discussion was had about diet vs. heredity. Of course, Zach wasn’t exactly truthful about his steady diet of sugar and fat and left there feeling smug. I know that his arteries are lined with thick cut bacon.
Life Among the Humans: Poopooing Polarity
Best Read Aloud. Refrigerate After Opening. This piece began in response to a Letter to the Editor in last month’s PRT about my column from the month before, “Jews In The News.” The writer, David Krest, quoted lines from Leonard Cohen, including: “Puppet Germans, Puppet Jews . . .” referring to the mechanical endlessness of history, where conflict / opposition tends to dominate the game. I know Krest tangentially, not well. He’s focused on ‘The Big Picture,’ the one you could call mystical – in which you don’t take sides because you see, or strive to see, the larger whole. One thing Krest said that makes good sense in the real world is that a victim state-of-mind and paranoid expectancy contribute in a major way to keeping things unsettled and upset: Reaction to reaction to reaction, endlessly.
Politicians and Education Policy
Whether you are a parent, teacher and/or taxpayer, polls show you are probably not happy with our public school system. As with any institution, leadership is of greatest importance. The top education official in Arizona is our State Superintendent of Public Instruction, a job currently held by Tom Horne. Arizona is one of only 12 states where this position is filled by an at-large election. In the rest of the country, these officials are appointed by the governor, or in some states, such as Massachusetts, the State Board of Education.
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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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