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Patagonia Regional Times
Winemaker Carries on Family Tradition
Winemaking in Sonoita-Elgin is inherently challenging. Capital is hard to come by. The climate is tough. The physical work is daunting. And land, vines, fencing, weather protection and predator control are very expensive. Elgin-based Najar Cellars Winery approaches these challenges with a unique philosophy: biodynamic viticulture. While Najar is not...
Artist Launches New Gallery
The building formerly housing the visitors center in Patagonia welcomed a new tenant this past August. Katherine Cudney, an award-winning artist specializing in oils, acrylics and watercolors, now occupies this historic little structure where she displays her art for sale and paints in a studio located in the building’s rear portion.
Let’s Cook…With the Elgin/Sonoita Cowbelles: Will’s Family Cornish Pasties
“My Grandmother came from Truro, Cornwall, England. She was known as an excellent cook in Patagonia and pasties were one of her specialties. Pasties were one of the main dishes in our family and she always made sure I had one of her delicious pasties on my birthday.”. Linda Brooks...
New Manager Takes on a Big Job at Conservancy
Aaron Mrotek, the recently hired manager at the Nature Conservancy Preserve on Blue Haven Road, holds an unusual distinction. He may be the only person you’ll ever meet who has lived and worked in both Patagonias – the real one here in southeastern Arizona and that other one you’ve heard about in Argentina. He has carried his passion for ecosystem restoration to both settings.
End of the Line for Local Gas Station
In early October, news began to spread that Patagonia was down one basic amenity, as Charlie Montoy’s gas station emptied its tanks of unleaded and diesel. The tanks at PIGS, the Politically Incorrect Gas Station, at 300 Naugle Avenue, will not be filled again, at least not by Charlie. In short, the station is being offered for sale, with or without equipment.
New Art Museum to Be Named After Patagonia Artist
The Wittner Museum: a real brick and mortar museum named after Patagonia artist Paula Wittner. It sounds like a fantasy, a dope dream. But it is as real as the building standing at 204 N. Morley Avenue in Nogales, and the money behind it. Against great odds it is a reality in progress.
Borderlands Executive Director Stepping Down in January
With a mix of reflection and gratitude, I wish to announce that I will be resigning as the Executive Director of Borderlands Restoration Network. I am grateful for the valuable experiences and friendships I gained during my time with the organization. I feel proud of all that we have accomplished...
Community Member in Need of Life-Saving Kidney Donation
Longtime Patagonia resident Terra Wright is in end-stage kidney failure. Terra is in need of a kidney transplant. She and her family had high hopes that her sister would be able to donate her kidney, but they recently received the news that she is not a match. Terra is hoping that someone in our community may be a match.
The Family That Farms Together Stays Together
It wasn’t until recently that I realized just how much goes into a glass of milk—meaning the hard work and dedication, and I’m not talking about the cow. My aunt had a dream: build a farm and be a farmer. Seems reasonable. Why not have fresh vegetables, farm-raised meat, and eggs? She even went a step further and invited the public to share in this dream. She enlisted the help of her sisters, and they in turn enlisted the help of their kids. Some of the kids in the family will lead you to believe it’s forced labor, and I suppose it can be when you are 14 and picking weeds.
Preparing for Fair Success
The key to success at the County Fair is hard work and involvement, on the part of the leaders, parents, and the 4-H and FFA members who are showing their projects. The Prentice family is a case in point. Dusti Prentice, a practicing veterinarian, homeschooling mother of Rori and Everett, and Mustang 4-H Club leader, has worked to improve the level of showmanship that her 4-H members bring to the fair.
Candidates for Local and LD-19 Offices
The only contested race in Santa Cruz County local elections is the Superior Court Judge (Div 1) race between Jose Luis Castillo and Thomas Fink. Running unopposed are Juan Pablo Guzman, SCC Clerk of the Superior Court, Emilio Velasquez, Justice of the Peace, and Constable Eduardo Huerta. There are no...
Eagles Defeat Lobos in Local Showdown
Patagonia players Amaya Somoza (#12) and Nicole Cabrera (#10) prepare to return the ball after Elgin player Brynlee Mathews sends the ball over the net in the middle school volleyball game played on Oct. 3 in Patagonia. The Elgin Eagles bested the Lobos in two sets in the best-of-three competition, 25-18 and 25-23.
CHOP Helps With Home Repairs
For years real estate has been considered a reliable way to increase personal wealth. But how does a retiree on a fixed-income, someone who is experiencing health issues, or someone who recently experienced a life-changing event maintain their home?. Community Homes of Patagonia (CHOP) supports low to moderate income stakeholders...
Starstruck: Jupiter… and Beyond
Seems like everywhere you look nowadays – in the sky, on the internet, on television – it’s all about Jupiter. The fifth planet from the sun, and the largest in our solar system, is quite deservedly getting top billing. It is currently the sky’s brightest object (discounting...
Let’s Go Get Stones: Monsoon Hiatus
Here it is. Summer 2022. Our second year of retirement. Our second summer in southeastern Arizona and it is a monsoon in full. I’ve taken a few weeks off from rockhounding to take stock of where I’ve been and what I’ve seen and what, if anything, that I have learned.
Nature Journeys: Beguiling Biodiversity With a Bite
Jaguars, gray hawks, oak trees, various rattlesnakes, mule deer, Mexican poppies, Sonoran toads…These and many other charismatic flora and fauna populating the Sky Islands tend to register strongly on the Richter scale for many people in our region. But there are plenty of other species here in the Madrean Archipelago who tend to run under most people’s radar, but who deserve our attention, admiration and protection. Here’s a look at a few relatively obscure species that we might categorize as Sky Island skulkers.
New Teacher Profile:
Robin Kulibert, the new dual credit environmental biology teacher at PUHS, describes Patagonia schools as a family. “I love how casual yet serious about learning the school is,” she said. She is teaching one course at PUHS this year. “The essential question for the course is ‘What actions do...
Life Among the Humans: Shalt Thou Not Kill?
I’ve always disliked killing things, but make exception for an evil few: mosquitoes, kissing bugs, and ticks, (e.g.). Is that quite simply selfishness? In any case, the cops have never pulled up to my house with flashing lights and pistols drawn, to bring me in for having slain a tick or biting fly. So, who is it okay to snuff? Who, not?
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