PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES HAPPY NEW YEAR ! JANUARY 2021 SERVING THE MOUNTAIN EMPIRE COMMUNITIES OF CANELO, ELGIN, PATAGONIA AND SONOITA VOL. 11 ISSUE 1 Surge Continues in SCC Border Wall Construction Even as Vaccinations Begin Continues Despite Election

Photo by Jo Dean Crews scrape away the side of a hill near the Coronado National Monument as they work to construct the Border Wall across the San Rafael Valley.

By Jo Dean ed, scraped, and dumped over the hill- side to make room for the border wall. The Coronado National Memorial, Hydraulic rock breakers, large earth By Sarah Klingenstein increases one-and-a-half to two located at the southern end of the moving equipment all toiling away like weeks after Christmas. Terrell said Huachuca Mountains, overlooks the a scene from “Atlas Shrugged.” At- Cases of COVID19 have risen rapidly that the Health Department, through eastern edge of San Rafael Valley tempting to walk closer, one sees that in Arizona, in Santa Cruz County, and its contact tracing, has not identified along the border of Mexico. A short the entire Yaqui Ridge Trail, section 1 in Patagonia throughout the month any large events that have caused the hike from the Montezuma Pass parking of the Arizona Trail to the international of December. For the first time, new spread, that it seems to be brought area on the Coronado Peak Trail leads border, is closed indefinitely due to daily cases in Santa Cruz County (SCC) home by one member of a family, then to an overlook of the San Rafael Valley, homeland security construction. have surpassed the highest reported spread to spouses, siblings, etc. which supports an ecosystem of oaks, The bollard wall construction con- during the early summer surge, with Statewide, COVID19 cases reached sycamores, and a wide variety of plant sists of embedded reinforced concrete 125 new cases reported on Christmas 520,207 on Dec. 31. The State Schools and animal diversity. This area is rug- barrier, with 30-foot-tall steel slats 4 Day. Currently, over one in 10 people Dashboard lists all counties in Arizona ged country with unique biodiversity inches apart. Construction is on fast in the County has tested positive for as experiencing substantial transmis- and world-renowned ecological value. forward until the inauguration of COVID19. One in 1,000 Americans have sion and recommends virtual learning The overlook provides a vista south President-Elect Joseph Biden, who has died from the virus. statewide for the time being. Terrell into Mexico, north into the United stated he will stop construction of the As the PRT goes to press, Arizona reported that most county school States and west towards the next border wall on day one of his presi- has the 2nd highest new case rate in districts are treating the first two full Sky Island, the Patagonia Mountains. dency. Exactly how this will be accom- the U.S. andSCC remains in the top weeks of January as a defacto quaran- These days, however, quiet contem- plished is uncertain due to government three counties with the highest rates tine period for their staff and students. plation of the vista is interrupted by contracts with companies building the in Arizona.In eastern SCC, as of Dec.31, This outlook is exemplified by a the sound of heavy equipment. The wall. In some manner the border wall, the AZ Dept. of Health Services report- letter sent to Elgin Elementary School mountain is literally being moved to as it is literally bulldozing across the ed a total of 39 cases in Patagonia, 20 families. “(We) will be returning to build the border wall. country, will stop. But, where in the cases in Sonoita, and 17 cases in Elgin. Distance Learning for one week follow- A short walk south from the vista, San Rafael Valley will it stop? According to Jeff Terrell, Santa Cruz ing the scheduled Winter Break... Our following the unaccustomed sounds of Numerous lawsuits have been County Health Director, the COVID19 concern is that if families travel and/ heavy machinery, a wide scar coiling filed over funding for the border wall, spread has developed, as predicted a or participate in holiday get-togethers like a serpent down the west slope based on environmental concerns, month ago, when Thanksgiving gath- and contract the virus, they would like- of the mountain towards San Rafael government overreach, private prop- erings caused the virus to spread. ly develop symptoms after returning Valley comes into sight. Activity is high; erty rights, and social justice issues Likewise, health officials expect further rocks, plants, and soil are being blast- See COVID, p.5 See Wall, p. 3 what a Month! What a Year! By Marion Vendituoli nonprofit newsrooms. Even more group of writers. These individuals impressive, we had 340 individual volunteer their time and expertise to PRT It has been a jam-packed month donations. These donations ensure keep our audience informed and ed- MISSION STATEMENT here at the PRT! We have successful- the future of the PRT and will be used ucated about those issues and events ly concluded our annual fundraising to help us continue to bring you the that affect our communities. To publish a nonprofit campaign, we have taken on the local news that you depend on us to One example of this is Sarah community newspaper which continuation of Clare Bonelli’s local serves the Mountain Empire deliver. Klingenstein, of Patagonia, who has newsletter, have added an extensive As part of that commitment, we written four articles for this issue, and communities of Santa Cruz COVID resource page to our website County, including Canelo, Elgin, were thrilled when Clare Bonelli has put in countless hours inter- and received 54 essays from local approached us to see if we would be viewing local health officials, school Patagonia, and Sonoita, and nd which is open to all views, high- students competing in our 2 annual willing to take over her weekly news- administrators, and local leaders, lighting local issues and empha- school essay contest. Our volunteer letter. We look forward to continuing poring over data and organizing all sizing the contributions of local writers have researched and written her work and are honored that she this material into well written articles talent. articles on issues including the rise trusts us with this important commu- full of relevant information. of COVID in our area, the continu- nity resource. We also look forward Sarah is just one example of our WHO WE ARE ing construction on the border wall, to welcoming Clare as a member of talented and committed PRT family, internet challenges in eastern SCC, our editorial team, as she plans to which includes not only our writers, We are a nonprofit organization, women’s suffrage, and one student’s start contributing articles to the PRT. our Board members and staff, but funded by paid advertising, do- journey from PUHS to an ivy league nations and grants. PRT is a free Assistant editor Nisa Talavera has also all of you that have donated this school. And make sure to check out been hard at work revamping our year. monthly publication distributed to our center spread honoring this year’s news stands and local merchants website and is adding a COVID re- We thank you for kicking off 2021 Community Contributors. Whew!! in The Mountain Empire. source page that will contain informa- in the best way possible, especially First, to our generous readers who Managing Editor: tion on where to get vaccinated, test- as we emerge from the challenges of donated to the PRT during our recent ing sites, local updates, and resources 2020. Thank you for your investment Marion Vendituoli fundraising campaign, we thank you! for families. We will continue to work in the future of the Patagonia Assistant Editor: You have donated $25,050 over the on improving our website, with the Regional Times because, especially in Nisa Stover Talavera past two months, $15,000 of which help of a grant from CatchaFire, over these tumultuous times, local news will be matched by NewsMatch, a Bookkeeper: the next several months. matters. national organization that supports And a word about our committed Cynie Murray Administrative Assistant Ad Manager: Jared Krikorian Contributing Writers: Bob Brandt Alison Bunting Francesca Claverie Lynn Davison Jo Dean Cassina Farley Robert Gay Patra Kelly Sarah Klingenstein Martin Levowitz Pat McNamara Harold Meckler Vince Pinto Laura Wenzel

Board of Directors: Bob Brandt NEW!! Tom Beal Francesca Claverie PRT COVID RESOURCES PAGE Lynn Davison Cassina Farley The place to go for national, state and local updates, Jac Heiss community info, statistics, testing sites, vaccines, family Donna Lee and educational resources. Kathryn Schrag Jamie Smith Mollie Wright Look on our website for our COVID Resources Page Contact us at: [email protected] PO Box 1073, Patagonia, AZ Receive Breaking Local News Sent Straight to Your Inbox 85624 (740) 206-9594 Sign up for the PRT E-News Service! To Place an ad:prtads@ As a e-subscriber you will receive an email at the beginning of each month with top stories and a gmail.com link to the new issue before it is available in the stands. We are excited to announce a new feature. Print Edition available at As we step in to carry on Clare Bonelli’s popular community newsletter, we will continue her tradi- newstands the first Friday of the month. tion of issuing weekly updates of local events, news and items of community interest. Online Edition posted the first Wednesday of the month patagoniaregionaltimes.org/connect-with-the-prt Online edition: patagoniaregionaltimes.org the border area. These have no noise Wall (Cont.) or light pollution and are found to have pertaining to the wall. The Supreme no significant environmental impact Improved Internet May Court has agreed to take up the case on plant or animal species. Customs that President Donald Trump has Border and Protection (CBP) plans to unconstitutionally diverted Defense acquire technologically advanced tow- Be on the Way Department funds to pay for the wall ers that are solar powered and mobile By Marion Vendituoli internet to schools in the eastern part expansion, but until the case goes to to supplement the current IFTs and of the county the Supreme Court, construction will the Remote Video Surveillance System The communities of Sonoita, Elgin The County and the School Super- continue. Considering that the court along the Arizona and Texas border. and Patagonia are slated to receive intendent’s Office have been working will not hear the case until 2021 after By fiscal year 2021-2022, CBP hopes to improved internet service as a result of with the FCC to implement the E-Rate the inauguration, there may be no have deployed nearly 200 more towers a settlement reached between the AZ program across SCC. “E-Rate provides need to hear the case if Biden stops along the remote areas of the Attorney General’s office and Lumen discounts for telecommunications, in- progress on the barrier. Biden has Mexican/US border. Technologies, formerly known as ternet access, and internal connections pledged to "end the so-called National CBP statistics show apprehensions Century Link. to eligible schools and libraries,” ac- Emergency that siphons federal dollars are down for illegal marijuana traffic This settlement stems from a cording to the E-Rate website. Several from the Department of Defense to since the legalization of marijuana in lawsuit brought against Century Link area schools and libraries are already build a wall,” according to information several western states. The last decade by the AG’s office, contending that connected to the internet through this from his campaign website. has seen a change in cartel activity the company had engaged in “decep- program, which is designed to serve The borderlands between from cross country crossings to smug- tive and unfair advertising and billing rural and underserved communities. Arizona and Mexico are mostly feder- gling hard drugs such as heroin and practices,” according to AZ Central. E-Rate funding helps to pay for ally owned. Consequently, building the methamphetamines through the ports The settlement, announced last March, the construction cost to get the cable wall across National Wildlife Refuges, of entry. required Lumen to invest “$2 million to schools and helps to pay monthly National Parks and Monuments, and Opinions about the border wall in in improvements to fiber-optic infra- charges. The amount of funding each conservation areas has allowed the San Rafael Valley are divided. Some structure in areas that the Attorney school receives is dependent on the government to move quickly and to landowners approve of the wall, while General's Office (AGO) determines are number of students eligible for the waive all environmental regulations others think it is not necessary and an in need. These improvements will help free and reduced lunch rate, accord- and studies. In Arizona, new sections irresponsible use of taxpayer’s money. provide internet services to under- ing to Chris Young, Chief Deputy at of the 30’ bollard wall have been built Zay Hartigan has lived on the KiHeKay served consumers in Arizona.” the School Superintendent’s Office. almost exclusively across U.S. govern- Ranch located in San Rafael Valley, In a letter dated Nov. 17, the AGO For example, if 80% of the students ment owned land, including Cabeza seven miles north of the Mexican and Lumen agreed to “upgrading the are getting free or reduced lunches, Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, Organ border, for 23 years. Hartigan is also an network from Sierra Vista to the school receives a discount of 80% Pipe Cactus National Monument, San Arizona Trail Steward for the section of Patagonia and Elgin to support Opti- both for the construction costs and the Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, the trail that extends from Canelo Pass cal Wave Services which will greatly monthly payments. San Pedro Riparian National Conserva- to Parker Canyon Lake Trailhead. He increase speeds.” The letter from the Fiber-optic cables have been run tion Area, and the Coronado National stated the ranch had numerous illegal AGO’s office states that customers to the Elgin and Patagonia Schools, Memorial. migrants coming through his area benefitting from this would include according to Bracker, but have not San Rafael Valley is a jigsaw of vari- until the Normandy fencing and the schools, Border Patrol … approximately been connected yet. “The last school ous land grants and private ownership. IFTs were installed. Now for several 112 small businesses and will impact to get fiber in front of it was Elgin’” he Most of the borderland in the valley is years he has seen no illegal migrant “approximately 15,000 consumers.” said. “Fiber-optic cable is in place, but owned by the State of Arizona or U.S. activity. While working cattle in the (a perplexing number, as the popula- the last hundred yards have not been Forest Service, some is private. Part of grassland or traversing his segment of tion of eastern Santa Cruz County is laid and the connections not made.” the valley is in Cochise County and part the Arizona trail he sees little trash or less than 1816, according to 2018 U.S. The county signed a contract in May is in Santa Cruz County. any other evidence of illegal migrants. Census figures.) The cost estimate of 2018 with Century Link to lay the cable Currently, the Valley has a Hartigan thinks the virtual wall has the project has been redacted on the and ultimately to provide broadband Normandy beach-style vehicle barrier made an enormous difference in activ- public document. service to the schools, but Century Link fence across the valley that allows an- ity. He believes the bollard style wall The Attorney General’s office had has stopped work on the project. The imal movement to continue along his- is necessary in heavily trafficked areas not notified the Santa Cruz County SCC School Superintendent’s office has toric migratory corridors. According to closer to urban centers but suggests officials of this settlement, according engaged an outside attorney to try to residents interviewed, this fencing was a tailored approach to border barri- to District 3 Supervisor Bruce Bracker. resolve this problem. built about ten years ago. In the past ers would be an intelligent approach. He is pleased with the announcement Bracker stressed the importance three years ‘virtual wall towers’ have “One size fits all” is degrading the envi- from the AGO about the settlement of high-speed internet for Santa Cruz helped to significantly reduce the num- ronment, blocking streams and water with Century Link to provide better County, for the schools, for residents ber of illegal migrants coming across drainage systems, disrupting wildlife service for the residents of Eastern and for businesses. “Internet now is the border. Virtual wall towers, also corridors and habitat. Santa Cruz County. “I’m happy that what electricity used to be,” he said. called Integrated Fixed Towers (IFTs), Border security is important to all someone held Century Link account- “This is akin to the Rural Electrification are 160-foot-tall surveillance towers Americans. The border in San Rafael able,” he said Act of 1936. There’s a huge divide that send data to Border Patrol agents Valley may avoid the 30-foot bollard Coincidentally, the County has between urban and rural. We need using high-definition cameras, night wall. Citizens can be assured that the been dealing with its own problems to level the playing field. You have to vision sensors, and radar. IFTs, placed San Rafael Valley will have border with Century Link, due to Century Link have it and it’s a huge component of every three to seven miles across San security with a system of border pro- having stopped work on a project de- economic development.” Rafael Valley, have proven to be highly tection, be it electronic surveillance, signed to bring high speed, affordable effective in providing surveillance of physical barrier, or a combination of both.

Homegrown Instruments Beginning Lessons Ukulele, Guitar, Native Flute Sales Zach Farley 520 -216- 0258 PAGE 3 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 DoN Wenig Nino I. GARCIA may 28, 1931 - december 8, 2020 August 8, 1922 - november 23, 2020 Nino I. Garcia, 98, of Patagonia, AZ, passed away peacefully in his sleep in Tucson on No- vember 23 2020. Nino was born August 8, 1922 in Salt Lake City, UT, to Jessie Aparicio Garcia and Gregorio Garcia. Nino moved to California shortly after his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army where he served as a Private First Class from January 8, 1943 to January 31, 1946. He was a Field Lineman and Marksman Rifle M-1 in the New Guinea Campaign, receiving American and Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Ribbons, Philippine Liberation Service Ribbon, Distinguished Unit Badge, and Victory Medal. Photo by Michael Schwartz Nino retired from Exide Nino is survived by his sister Don Wenig, long-time mem- draw. They bought an old adobe, Technologies in 1981 and relocated Beatrice Jacobs of Salt Lake City, ber of the Patagonia community, made it livable, and soon made it to Patagonia, AZ in 1990, where he cousins Stella McEvoy of Arcadia, died at Banner South Hospital on into a B&B. They loved the town, resided in the Mowry mountains for CA and Martha Aparicio of Rancho December 8, 2020. His love for the and became a part of its fabric, rel- 28 years. He enjoyed being a small Mirage, CA, as well as several genera- town was undiminished to the end, ishing and promoting its character. rancher with a few cattle and horses tions of nephews and nieces, includ- and his contributions to its well-be- Don, a natural instigator, took an for some years until his advanced age ing David Nuno of Pinedale, WY. ing have established his reputation active role in developing amenities made ranching improbable. He could Sincere thanks to all the for years to come. like the Butterfly Garden, as well as be seen driving through the moun- Patagonia residents who lent support Don was born on May 28, 1931, necessities like the local clinic. He tain roads several times a week going and friendship and enriched Nino’s in Iowa, and grew up in Dallas, TX. was a spark plug for what came to for feed or other necessities for his mountain life. Special thanks to After attending the University of be the Fall Festival, and served on beloved animals and himself - in that Charlie Montoy and his mother Texas, he served in the army, but a more boards, and attended more order. Nino was fiercely independent Norma, who were helpful in so many winter in an unheated barracks at a meetings, than any one person and treasured his life and his commu- ways throughout the years both to Nike base in northern Indiana con- could be expected to experience nion with nature. He rarely traveled Nino and his cousin Martha, who vinced him that a warmer climate in a lifetime of service. What other far from his beloved mountains, ex- visited frequently and helped man- would suit him better. He moved to person could have initiated both cept for road trips with cousin Martha age Nino’s survival. Thanks as well to Tucson, where he engaged in sev- the local bridge group and the to UT and WY, and enjoyed her visits neighbors/friends Gail Shawe and Joel eral occupations, among them the famous Full Moon Picnics in the San and those from nephew David Nuno. Bernstein (who found Nino after his part-ownership of the ski facility Rafael? In January 2018 he suffered severe accident and called the paramedics) on Mount Lemmon. Deciding on a Don loved to travel, and Doris, injuries and dehydration when he and Ellen Fisher. teaching career, he enrolled at the until her last years, was an enthu- drove into a ravine and attempted to Post-COVID, a small memorial will U of A for certification, and settled siastic companion. Both felt strong walk home nearly three miles at his be held in Patagonia in the spring of happily into a position as an ele- affection for Mexico, and there is a advanced age of 95. It necessitated 2021. Nino’s remains will be scattered mentary teacher in the Tucson sys- long list of friends who joined them hospitalization, surgery and rehabil- in the Mowry mountains and at the tem, specializing in art education. on jaunts as far afield as raft trips itation in Tucson. He then entered gravesite of his beloved mother in During his years in Tucson, in Chiapas, or fiestas for the Virgin assisted living in Tucson in March Utah. Nino was pre-deceased by six he was part of a group of young of Guadalupe in Alamos, or mission 2018 until his passing in November brothers (Joe, Lee, Johnny, Benny, people whose adventurous spirits tours in Sonora, with dancing and 2020, where he enjoyed bird watch- Jaime and Richard) and two sisters loved the outdoors and travel. One mezcal by moonlit pools long into ing, reading, light weight “training,” (Pat and Josefina). The sharing of of those young people was Doris, the night. dozing under the Tucson sunshine, memorable “Nino stories” would be another teacher, whose mother, on Don was a consummate friend: sipping wine or a cold beer, and appreciated. Please send to mapari- meeting Don for the first time, told always ready to listen to your watching sports in the friendship of [email protected]. Donations in Nino’s Doris, “Hang onto that one, he’s a gripes, console you with a wry ob- his new friend and co-resident Gene memory can be made to the National keeper.” Which she did, and Don servation, cheer you with a perfect Easterbury, who sadly predeceased Audubon Society. and Doris became the love affair martini. He was a gentleman to him. and partnership that has affect- the core, rarely lost his temper, ed so many. After their careers in believed deeply in cooperation and Tucson teaching, they retired - but compromise. the sense of adventure that had Community, while an easy Old Friends brought them together continued concept to espouse, was for him a By Christina Wilhelm strong. project that engaged his full person. Old Friends Patagonia drew them for any His community will remember his Scattered afar number of reasons, but the quali- name with deep love and respect. Irreplaceable bonds ties of its people were the strongest Anchoring memories in safe harbors

PAGE 4 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 COVID (Cont.) Plaque Commemorates Women’s to school during the week of Jan. 4. By proactively closing the school for ‘face-to-face’ for one week, Suffrage Movement in Arizona we are hoping to avoid spreading the virus in the women, and it was not a given that Latina wom- school setting and avoid a much longer school en would have voted in Patagonia that year. “For closure.” Latinas, things didn’t change until the Voting Rights Patagonia Schools will use the distance learn- Act in 1965,” said Irasema Coronado, director and ing model until Jan. 18 at the earliest. The de- professor of ASU’s School of Transborder Studies. cision to bring students back on campus will be “In some places, there were structural impedi- made as that period ends. ments to voting and we still have some of them Vaccines on the Way today.” (apbs.org, June 2020). One of the import- On Dec. 2, Governor Doug Ducey announced ant safeguards to voting included in the Voting that COVID19 vaccines would be available with- Rights Act was that literacy tests to prove fitness out cost to all Arizonans. Both the Pfizer and for voting were declared illegal. Moderna vaccines require two doses. As in much of the Western U.S., suffrage for On Dec. 28, Terrell reported that 600 doses of women was established by individual states before the Moderna vaccine had already arrived at the the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920. Be- Mariposa Clinic in Nogales. Another shipment of ginning in the late 1800s, women earned the right 900 doses was expected any day. For now, infor- to vote in many municipalities, counties, states and mation about vaccine delivery will be available territories. In Arizona, women petitioned the terri- to Health Department officials only about a week torial Legislature for the right for decades without ahead of delivery. Within the next several weeks, success. they hope to have vaccine delivery schedules laid In 1912, just months after Arizona became a out for several months ahead. state, proponents used the initiative process to The first vaccines are being administered to get suffrage on the ballot. It passed by 65% of the people that fall into the CDC’s and Arizona’s vote. It is unclear where and when local women “1A” priority category, which includes healthcare voted from 1912 until the new school was built. It providers, emergency medical personnel and may have been at the old Opera House on the residents and staff of long-term care facil- McKeown Avenue, which was a center of civic ities. Those in Group 1A number around 1,000 activities at the time. in the county, so the first vaccine shipments are Soon Arizona women were holding public office expected to cover that high-risk portion of the Photo by Chuck Klingenstein and taking their place in decision-making around population. According to Terrell, Mariposa Clinic the state. By the time the 19th Amendment came Rylee Huls, great-great-great-granddaughter of Mary has been tasked with administration of the early Kane, stands in front of the new Suffrage plaque at up for a vote in 1920, the State Legislature passed phases of the vaccine, which they are administer- the Patagonia Museum. Mary Kane was one of 23 it unanimously. Historian Mary Melcher, Ph.D, ing throughout various County facilities. women who voted at the Patagonia School in 1915. said, “Once the Western states allowed women to Dr. Eladio Pereira, Chief Medical Officer at the By Sarah Klingenstein vote and hold public office, men saw that their great Mariposa Clinic, said that officials are currently fears did not come to pass. The traditional family did working through the logistics of the rollout. “We The old Grammar School on School Street, so not fall apart, and women began to use their rights to are learning and revising strategies daily, and familiar to Patagonians, has had yet another honor gain power and do good. They used their influence to working in collaboration with the County and bestowed upon it. The longest continuously utilized push federal suffrage.” State, as well as other human services agencies.” elementary school building in the state of Arizona Melcher, the Arizona state coordinator for the Na- “We will move to the ‘1B’ group as soon as we when it closed in 2014, and currently the site of the tional Votes for Women Trail, was delighted to learn receive enough vaccines to move on,” Dr. Patagonia Museum, it is now being recognized as an of the significance of the Grammar School building. Pereira said. That group includes “frontline essen- historic polling place with the erection of a plaque She contacted German Quiroga, President of the tial workers such as fire fighters, police officers, honoring the suffrage movement and the first women Board of Trustees of the Museum, and they sought corrections officers, food and agricultural work- to vote in this area. and received permission from the Patagonia School ers, U.S. Postal Service workers, manufacturing The plaque at the Grammar School is a result of District, owners of the building, to erect a plaque. workers, grocery store workers, public transit the National Collaboration for Women’s History’s These markers honoring significant sites along workers and those who work in the education- work to create a map recognizing important U.S. sites the road to suffrage are being installed across the al sector (teachers, support staff, and daycare important to the passage of the 19th Amendment country, with the goal of marking at least five locales workers.) It also includes people aged 75 years giving women the right to vote. in each state. The project is funded by the Pomeroy and older.” To learn which group you fit into, The Patagonia Grammar School, built in 1914, was Foundation and will likely be completed sometime in call (602) 542-1025 and select Option 1, or go first used as a polling place for a special election in 2021. The map and database of the plaques is avail- to: https://www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/732/ 1915 to approve a county roads bond. In all, 99 peo- able at www.ncwhs.org COVID-19-Novel-Coronavirus ple voted in that election, 23 of whom were women. The plaque is in place in front of the building now. In this initial phase, health officials are identify- Another historic aspect of the 1915 election at the A formal dedication will be held during the Muse- ing those who qualify for the vaccine. Eventually, School was that several Latina women voted. Two of um’s annual meeting on January 23 at 10:30 a.m. residents will be able to seek out the vaccine and those women, Amalia Valenzuela and Mary Kane, are Dr. Melcher will speak at the dedication, and all are sign up for appointments online. Information named on the plaque. invited. Organizers will use social distancing practices regarding vaccine availability for Groups 1C and Throughout the years there have been many and the event will be outdoors. beyond will be found in the coming weeks and hurdles for Latina, indigenous and African American months on the SCC Health Department’s website. Plans are being made to develop vaccine PODS (Points of Distribution) around the County once the supply of vaccines increases dramatically. Po- tential sites include the Sonoita Fairgrounds and a Jeffrey G Latham, architect site in Patagonia. 1863 North Grand Avenue Nogales, Arizona 85621 Editor’s note: On Dec. 30, Governor Ducey issued an executive order for the state to take a 520 287 5547 Cell: 520 245 2625 more active role in vaccination planning and dis- tribution. The PRT will update our readers as these email: [email protected] changes develop, and link to a planned State website that will show daily vaccination progress and information for individuals. PAGE 5 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 OPINION & COMMENT • OPINION & COMMENT • OPINION & COMMENT

examples of spectacularly stupid, LIFE AMONG THE HUMANS self-destructive human behavior, A modest proposal usually resulting in death or serious injury. Darwin's name invokes natural some in-person religious services. ing the comfort of imaginable Jains, selection. Such mishaps cull the mo- Rather than accept the ban, certain Buddhists, Taoists, Shintoists, Ven- rons from the herd, thus helping Homo reactive champions of "religious triloquists, Hindus, Jews, Zoroastri- Sapiens, our species, as a whole. Or so freedom" have staged protest demon- ans and Muslims among the student we hope. strations, including court challenges, body - and even more to the point, of At the risk of appearing unfriendly, accusing the government of anti-re- their parents, who vote. "Democracy" may I suggest this? Just let the dumb- ligious bias. Some congregations, de- comes from the ancient Aramaic word bells and fanatics congregate and spite the bans, continue to assemble, d'mrocaca, meaning "messy kitchen." die. To do so keeps them happy and presuming, apparently, that God will It's not hard to see why. protects their sacred rights. Pandemic? protect the faithful. When separating church and state, Never heard of it! Reality be damned! Remind me to tell you about the where do you draw the line? Some There will be some innocent victims, viper-wielding Baptist preacher I saw Christian groups complain that they of course, like the children of some of once on YouTube, who, bitten in the are a majority in this country and have these dolts. But let's be realistic, por By Martin Levowitz neck by an angry adder, was dying always been a majority here. They favor. Most kids with COVID will sur- quickly and grotesquely, on camera, point out that the original settlers here One of our constitution's most vive, and kids with nitwit parents can foaming at the mouth and convulsing. were Christians, conveniently ignoring cherished provisions is separation of expect a life of woe in any case. Rushed to the hospital by horrified the indigenous "heathens," who were church and state, a real testament to Allow me to ask - just to ask, s'il parishioners (against his express wish- not seen as human. Democracy, they our founders' foresight. Throughout vous plait - if giving reckless scoff- es!) he survived, but his faith was not loudly claim, consists of majority rule. history, cruel injustice has routinely laws dedicated venues in which to vindicated. (It's a self-serving, view.) Some folks, been inflicted upon innocent citizens schmooze, hang out, cavort and There were two immense, illegal including Presidents, when they can't by state-sanctioned religions. (Even wheeze and sneeze and mate and pro- Chasidic weddings in Brooklyn recent- have their way get paranoid; self-pity- today, many nations acknowledge only create, would be such an awful idea? ly, planned and executed in secrecy. ing. They feel that any point of view one official creed.) Aware of this, "the They'd get to exercise their rights One wedding had 8000 guests. (8,000 but theirs amounts to personal affront framers" sought to discourage govern- while we impious infidels adhere to guests! You'd have to be crazy, even - discrimination against them. It's ment mistreatment of minorities, or of rationality - with better prospects for without a pandemic.) Meanwhile, sad, insane, and dangerous, But not any religious denomination. survival and even good health. concurrently, secularist protestors uncommon, as you know. As one desperate measure against challenge the recitation of Christian You have probably heard of The the current pandemic, public gather- prayers in public schools, defend- Darwin Awards, which cite, each year, ings have been forbidden, including

ADVERTISEMENT PAGE 6 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 OPINION & COMMENT • OPINION & COMMENT • OPINION & COMMENT

r e v i t a l i z e o u r c o n n e c ti o n t o o u r s t u ff . ing upon the practice of reforesting. happy renew year For the evolution of our personal The surprisingly rapid return of both understanding and values, we can plants and animals to the abandoned By Robert Gay again, to redo, though not necessarily slow up a bit, spend a little time in (and radioactive) Ukranian village of in the exact same way. Solutions to the In Patagonia, both residents and stillness, darkness, and silence to Chernobyl after the violent meltdown triple whammy of mega-problems de- help us recenter and reinvigorate of its nuclear powerplant in 1986 is visitors often express their feelings of mand innovation and creativity outside attraction for the mountains, valleys ourselves. Looking in the invisible one of many examples of nature’s the box, not just automatic restoration mirror, we can find multiple ways to readiness to re-inhabit what humans and communities of the area. Some of the Old Normal for its own sake and speak of the serenity and community reconnect with our inner selves and had taken for themselves. Remediation cozy familiarity. with the living systems which sustain of environmental damage and resto- of the region, or the multiplicity of life Some familiar RE-verbs for getting forms; some call it magic. It seems that a n d r e - e n e r g i z e u s i n s o m a n y w a y s . ration of habitat for non-human spe- out of the box include: reimagine, Our melting-pot nation has last- cies - especially those nearing extinc- the village is in a region that gets you reexamine, reinvent, redraw, and thinking about your values, pondering ing need for reintegration of races, tion - is just the kind of regenerative rewrite. In the workplace, new kinds of cultures and groups who are unlike our redevelopment we now must do to what you like, what you do, who you jobs are emerging, like solar installer, hang out with, what you see and think own group. Reintroducing civility, re- large portions of over-developed lands stream restoration specialist, or cyber- defining policing, and restrengthening and over-fished waters in order to about as you cruise around in daily life security team coordinator and some or on special trips, rides or hikes. The civil rights legislation - all are part of reverse the elimination of species that of them will require retraining. As we eliminating systemic racism from our a c c e l e r a t e s t h e S i x t h M a s s E x ti n c ti o n. place holds up an invisible mirror that enter 2021, it’s a perfect season to gets you thinking about what really nation. Reopening the national discus- In response to climate change, reflect and find ways to use our hearts, sion about tribal and colonial history our way of thinking about the basic matters. eyes and brains to reevaluate, redefine In 2020, a triple whammy of intense in North America is part of “truth and purposes of business need to be cre- a n d o t h e r w i s e r e n e w a n d r e g r o w . reconciliation” work toward healing atively redefined. The impact of any politics, pandemic, and climate change At home, we can repair and remod- put the reflection process on steroids. the enduring cultural wounds and commercial or industrial proposal can el, by redesigning, repainting, rewiring, injustices of past colonization, slavery be reevaluated beyond its bottom-line Nationwide, the incoming Federal replumbing, recarpeting and reland- administration brings a chance to and genocide. Reconfiguring immi- profitability to understand business scaping. Homeowners might find it a gration and border policies is another impacts systemically, always embed- de-escalate political divisions, move to good time to refinance. Even rearrang- truly effective coronavirus responses facet of pursuing justice, as is rein- ded in communities and living systems. ing pictures on the wall or items on tegration with equal opportunity for It’s becoming clear that for long- and deepen our responses to climate shelves and in drawers can be refresh- change. We can restore healthier so- groups marginalized and discriminated term survival, our value system must ing, especially in a time of pandemic against for reasons of ancestry, disabil- eliminate the equation of wealth with cial and work lives, and more of us will confinement. stay alive. ity, faith, or gender identification. success. This will allow repositioning In daily life, we can repattern our When the discussion shifts to people and planet above profit, priv- To help with renewal in 2021, I sug- energy and materials habits by adopt- gest listening for, and using, verbs that human-caused climate change, an i l e g e a n d g r o w t h f o r i t s o w n s a k e . ing ways to reuse, recycle and repur- emerging RE-verb is re-wilding, enlarg- Happy Renew Year to all! begin with RE-, a prefix meaning to do pose things. Decluttering at home can pandemic weakened possibility of Godzilla or murder hor- us that the adversity we face, and the us. It tested our empa- nets on the horizon. resilience we respond with, has the happy new year thy. It changed us. We can stop falling into the social power to shape our lives for the better. I can only speak for myself when I media trap and form our own educat- We can learn from this and become say that my new bad habits are many. ed opinions without Mark Zuckerberg’s more grateful, compassionate people. I picked up panic eating/drinking and help. In the future we can try to stay Its all up to us. We’ve got a clean slate a few extra pounds. I binged on social calm, maybe even take the time to so let’s use it. media to the point that it may have breathe. We’ve got to remember to Happy New Year to the Mountain re-wired my brain. This is especially breathe. Empire and beyond. May this coming bad considering all the misinformation We must learn to forgive. This in- year restore our hope. out there on social media platforms. cludes our vigilante townsfolk, I now also suffer from a total lack of the neighbors with the political structure. When faced with the option flags, barking dogs or wander- of no schedule it becomes easy to do ing cats. We should forgive the nothing and get nothing done. Most people who refuse to follow importantly, I have forgotten how to rules or cooperate. We can breathe. also forgive politicians and the I’m not completely a lost cause. media for fanning the fire. We Since the universe gave me a forced need to learn to trust again. We By Cassina Farley pause, I learned that I was way too cannot be jaded. I feel like I have just dug myself out over-scheduled. There was no reason We can get back to believ- of the rubble of a horrendous blast. to have 20 nights a month jam packed ing doctors and scientists or The past year has been one unbeliev- with activities. I didn’t need to keep our friends and family. We can able event after another. We have ex- doing what I was doing. give people the benefit of the perienced so much shock and tragedy I believe there is still hope for us all. doubt and learn to hear both it’s hard to imagine the possibility of a We can start by considering conse- sides of the story. We can stop new year and a clean slate. quences. Based on the happenings stress eating and drinking and I picked up a few bad habits in of 2020 we can no longer shrug our by doing so fit into last year’s 2020. It’s safe to say we probably shoulders and say, “what’s the worst jeans. (that last one is mainly all have. Many have lost friendships that can happen?” We know what can just for me.) and marriages. We became fearful happen and it wasn’t pretty. Just when We can do it. We can get of others and unforgiving of the very you think that this current event is the back to the life we had prior to community we had grown to love. The worst thing that can happen, there’s a this pandemic. 2020 has taught It is our objective as a community newspaper to present many views to our readers. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of this publication. If you would like to contribute your opinion or commentary to PRT, please send your article, in MS Word, to [email protected]. The PRT reserves the right to edit all submissions for language, length,and content.

PAGE 7 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 articles of Faith Why the Name Change? VINE Church branches, are people, and By Gardenia Lamadrid Moffett these branches take on many shapes “I (Jesus) am the VINE, you are the and forms. branches. He who abides in Me, and I Our branches are wide-open and in him, bears much fruit, for without welcoming. For example, Community Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 Prayer & Bible Study groups, Produce on Wheels (monthly veggie distribu- Why the name change? Since we tion), or our Celebrate Serve Days changed the name and rebranded Har- (community projects & clean up). The vest Christian Church in August 2020, fruit these branches bear are lives be- we’ve gotten this question a lot! The ing transformed by the love of Jesus. short answer to this question is, “God The VINE Church Sonoita is our identi- spoke.” Last year, in prayer, the Holy ty. We are branches that stay connect- Spirit spoke to my husband Tom, and ed to the Vine (Jesus) and branch out confirmed in a number of ways, that to others by bringing hope and heaven we were to change the name of the to the earth. Harvest Christian Church to ‘the VINE’. When we moved to Sonoita more God spoke, we listened and obeyed. than two years ago, we didn’t know Yes, God still speaks to His creation, what life in Sonoita would be like. Tom His children. and I have always lived in big cities, Even Christians struggle with the New York City, Houston, Phoenix, etc. idea of God speaking and some try to You can imagine the culture shock of put limitations on God and the ways moving to a small town. Still, we knew He speaks. When in actuality God is the Lord sent us here to pastor. In fact, limitless. We believe Jesus is the same we said yes to our assignment, before yesterday, today and forever. He can we even met with the church council. and will speak to us in a myriad of We knew God spoke, so we jumped ways. in feet first. It hasn’t been easy, but This bible verse is where our new nothing great ever is. name originates. At first, we did not God still speaks. He can speak in a understand fully why, but then as still small voice. He can speak through time passed it became clear. The VINE others. He can also speak in a song, in Church Sonoita is exactly who we are, a dream, in visions, and through His it’s our heartbeat and our culture. Word the Bible. The real question is, Jesus is the VINE, and we are the “Are we listening?” Just as we recog- branches. The Keyword here is VINE, nize the voices of those, we spend the because Jesus Christ is our life source. most time with, so will we recognize We are His branches. As we stay God’s voice as we spend time with connected to the Vine, we stretch out, Him, our creator. And when He speaks cultivate relationships, love people to His kids, it’s always wrapped in love, where they are, and connect them peace and joy, touching our innermost to the Vine (Jesus) by helping them being. What is God saying to you to- grow into branches themselves. The day? He may not move you to another city or change your name, but He will speak.

Editor’s note: Tom and Gardenia Moffett are the Co-Pastors of the VINE Church Sonoita. They can be reached at thevinechurches.org

PAGE 8 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 Dirtbags Hit the AZ Trail By Sarah Klingenstein “rough-flagging,” then “tight-flagging” it. A clinometer to measure grade A local volunteer trail building and helps him design for water runoff, and maintenance crew has begun lending he works to highlight or avoid certain a hand to the Arizona Trail’s largest natural features along the way. The construction project since the Trail’s result is a carefully planned, “elegant” completion in 2000. They are building, trail. by hand, a 1.3 mile section of the trail Rio Rico resident Joe Watkins, the that travels through the Borderlands unofficial second in command, has Wildlife Preserve. been with the group since 2008, when The Dirtbags are a loosely struc- he wandered into the State Natural tured, but devoted, group of men Area west of Patagonia Lake and ran and women that came together in into a ranger who wanted to see his the mid- to late-90s to maintain the hiking permit. In the course of the trails at Patagonia Lake State Park. The conversation, Watkins convinced him group fluctuates in size, with generally that he was a responsible nature lover ten or so regulars turning out every who had done lots of volunteer work Thursday morning from fall through on trails and in parks. The ranger con- spring. While many are from Patago- vinced Joe to consider joining a group nia, members travel from as far away of locals who do just that. Over the Photo by Chuck Klingenstein as Tucson, Rio Rico and Nogales. There years, Watkins has taken on the role of Chris Strohm briefs the crew as they spread out along the trail to begin are some who are able swing a pick organizer when Strohm is either back work and move dirt and others who feel in Lake Tahoe or traveling. He takes terview to a reporter from the Nogales bikers.) more comfortable lopping branches or part in trail design as well. International one day and was asked When eight Dirtbags gathered on doing light raking to finish the trail. The name “The Dirtbags” has its what the group called itself, he decid- a chilly mid-December morning at Their motto is “We may be slow, beginnings in Lake Tahoe, where ed on the spot - they were “Dirtbags” the head of the day’s section, Strohm but we’re sloppy,” but don’t let that Strohm described to the group how too. discussed COVID and trail safety fool you. Their leader, Chris Strohm, trail workers sometimes had to haul Last spring, with the onset of procedures before handing out tools. of Patagonia, is a Master Trailbuilder, dirt and rocks in large canvas bags COVID, the group took a break. It was “There’s a way to do everything,” he who came to Patagonia in the 90s when working in areas inaccessible for hard to give up the work, camaraderie, said, as he covered topics from the with years of experience on the trails wheelbarrows. The Tahoe crew called and the feeling of contributing to the right way to carry tools to reviewing around Lake Tahoe. He designs the themselves “The Dirtbags” and, when community. In late summer, Watkins the five steps the group follows for trails, walking the possible routes sev- Joe had the opportunity to give an in- began a conversation with the group building what he calls “a new tread.” eral times before selecting the path, via email, and members came up with The AZ Trail section is the latest in great ways to begin again safely. Now, a string of building projects the group on Thursday mornings, you can see a has undertaken over the years, from line of cars gathering along Naugle Av. the Paton - Nature Conservancy Trail at 8a.m. to caravan to the work site to the Smith Canyon Trail in Wildlife several miles north of Patagonia. Corridors. The Dirtbags also maintain The 800-mile AZ trail is being re- trails annually around the area. The routed to replace many miles currently Friends of Sonoita Creek support the traveled along roadsides with single group financially, which has helped pay track trails. The existing route that for tools and other needs. Strohm’s follows Harshaw Road through the wife, and fellow Dirtbag, Mary is cur- town of Patagonia and up Temporal rently designing a set of interpretive Canyon Road will still be an option. signs for the Smith Canyon Trail and However, there will be a new way, the new AZ Trail section. which leaves Harshaw Road near Red The group’s work on the trail is ex- Rock Ranch Road, travels down Corral pected to be completed in the spring, Canyon, under Highway 82, across a while the entire reroute will take until section of Borderlands property, and 2025 to complete. The AZ Trail Foun- back into Coronado National Forest to dation will hold several public work the existing trail. sessions this January and beyond, A further benefit to this new route which will be sized to address COVID19 is that it stays outside of a wilderness concerns. For more information, visit area that it previously crossed. Once their website at www.aztrail.org for the new trail is open, bicyclists, not al- updates. lowed in wilderness areas, will be able New members are welcome. to join hikers and horseback riders in Watkins says, “If you can hike two or using one more section of the Arizona three miles, you have what it takes trail. (Several other sections will still to help out on the crew. There are no require “bike-arounds” for mountain meetings, no dues, just a weekly work session - and an exclusive Dirtbag cap given to any member who demon- strates his or her dedica- tion to the work. Call Chris Strohm at (520) 999-0530 or Joe Watkins at (520) 377-7294 to sign up or for more information. Or email sierrastrohm@hot- mail.com or joeinriorico@ gmail.com. PAGE 9 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 Pool Progress Update town council notes By Karen Riggs pool operation through February By PRT Staff Reporters 2021 in order for FOPP to acquire this David Goggs, a resident on A physical pool inspection and a report, as a comprehensive assess- Pennsylvania Av., had requested a December 16, 2020 virtual stakeholders’ meeting took ment is an important tool for the two-foot variance to build within the During the Call to the Public, place in Patagonia on Dec. 8, 2020. pool owners as they decide on the normal ten-foot separation from sep- Brenda Samosa stated that the closure Friends of Patagonia Pool (FOPP) best course of action for the future of tic systems, and after some discussion of Richardson Park was excessive- have contracted with Counsilman- the pool. FOPP will use the report to of the financial hardships and extra ly restrictive on kids. Mayor Wood Hunsaker Aquatics to physically assess determine funding needs and look for building the extra two feet would requested she submit suggestions to the Patagonia Pool, review available financial and management partners cost (over $8000), he was granted the the Council in writing for policies that records, take stakeholder/community and will share the report with the variance. might make it safe to reopen the park. input and produce an assessment re- pool and the public. The report should As Resolution No. 20-15, the Town Marshal Patterson reported that port. It will be used to help determine be completed sometime in January. approved changes to the Patagonia deputies’ trainings were continuing, the sustainability of the pool going FOPP was also able to fund a Personnel Policy Guidelines. including video simulation with Pima forward. thorough pool cleaning – a neces- As Resolution 20-16, the Town’s County and some drug training. The report will provide an expert, sity after eight months of complete adoption of a Memorandum of Un- For Planning & Development, unbiased opinion of the physical state pool shutdown. The assessment and derstanding (MOU) with the State of Chairman Budd discussed his involve- of the pool and mechanical equip- cleanup were made possible by grant Arizona, known as the “One Arizona ment with Southeast Arizona Ass’n of ment, potential regulatory concerns, funds from the South32 Hermosa Plan” was approved. As later ex- Governmental Organizations (SEAGO). and estimated immediate, short-term, Community Fund held at the Com- plained by Manager Robinson, “The He is adding into SEAGO’s goals-doc- and long-term costs to maintain and munity Fund of Southern Arizona, the Resolution followed the participation ument process two points about operate the pool. Patagonia Regional Community Fund, agreement from last month’s Council ecotourism and the “green corridor” The pool owners (the Town of Pa- and by donations from many local Meeting. After discussions with the developing through Patagonia to tagonia and the Patagonia Elementary pool supporters. County Manager, it looks like Sonoita. Budd also mentioned that and High School Districts) had voted For more information, visit Coun- Patagonia would receive close to the Committee was starting work on a this fall to extend the intergovern- silman-Hunsaker’s website at $50,000 for the purchase of equip- master plan element for the town that mental agreement (IGA) that governs counsilmanhunsaker.com. ment, training, and school anti-drug would include circulation, trails and programs. This number is assumptive parks, as well as continuing their work based on the percentage allotment well documented. Included within on suggested revisions for the Town’s from a settlement. the broad category of the restorative General Plan. Economic Over the last five years the Town economy are tourism that builds on Council and Mayor approval was has been affected by six opioid deaths cultural, historic, and nature-based given to Spirit World 100, for a moun- and about three opioid-related DUIs. Study to resources; ranching; farming, includ- tain bike event, on Nov. 4-7,2021, The “declaration of emergency” is lan- ing the burgeoning wine industry, and similar to one held in 2019. Event guage allowed by our Town Code for efforts to grow and distribute healthy coordinator Zander Ault outlined their Focus on Resolutions involving a serious effect foods locally; educational programs ongoing coordination with local busi- on our citizens. that prepare people to thrive in the nesses, along with Cochise and Santa The town agreed to provide a Santa Cruz local economy; restoration services Cruz Counties. Ault added that when Letter of Support for the U.S. Bureau that conserve water, restore habitat they opened online registration for the of Reclamation “Watersmart” grant for native plants and animals, reuse 2019 event, all 250 places sold out in County and recycle waste, and expand the being applied jointly for by three local By Lynn Davison two days, so that around 400 visitors conservation groups, Friends of sequestration of carbon. The common might be expected, a big boost for Sonoita Creek, and Borderlands Res- A comprehensive economic factors of a restorative economy are local outdoor recreation. His planning toration Network. The grant will allow study of Santa Cruz County has been that they support sustainable jobs, and coordination were heartily praised full-watershed planning and analysis proposed by a group of Patagonia keep local the income generated, pre- by Councilor Murietta. It was recog- toward the formation of a Watershed residents representing the nonprofit, serve and enhance a region’s assets, nized that an event 11 months away is Restoration Plan. business and public sectors. With a and can slow, rather than accelerate, contingent on major improvement in goal of building a more inclusive and the impacts of climate change. COVID cases by the fall. sustainable local economy centered The group leading the effort to around nature based and human procure a baseline economic study for assets, the group has defined the first Santa Cruz County is currently refining Letters To The Editor step of the process to be gathering the process to select a consultant, installation and then final cleanup, I an accurate description of the drivers expanding the list of endorsers of the Kudos to Town received help from friendly and high of the local economy to establish a study (over 20 businesses and orga- quality helpers. baseline, project targets for future nizations so far), raising money to Employees Please share my feelings with our economic growth, and provide basic pay for the study, and identifying an During my new house construction Town employees - "Thank you very metrics to chart progress. administrative organization to man- project I worked with every one of the- much for your work and friendship." The Santa Cruz County Economic age the funds and contract with the Town employees and the end results Take care, Study will include all the traditional selected consultant team. are beyond my expectations. Murphy Musick economic sectors and will also include The goal is to provide reliable eco- From permitting, excavation, sectors and subsectors within the re- nomic information to guide decision storative economy that have not been makers in the business, government, The Patagonia Regional Times encourages everyone to comment and nonprofit sectors publicly on the events and times in which we live. Letters must who will collectively be the engines of the future be signed by the author and include town of residence. Letters local economy. The are limited to 200 words. PRT reserves the right to edit all letters study is expected to be for language, length, and content. Please send your letter, in MS completed before the Word, to [email protected] end of 2021. For more In-Home Chiropractic Care information, contact We come to you! Chuck Klingenstein at patagonia.planner1@ 520-357-1711 gmail.com LITTER IS PREVENTABLE! www.lopezhousecalls.com PAGE 10 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 are used. An easy method is sandpa- to germinate in October or November, pering the seed coat, but this can take right before a long cold period? They’d Sowing Native Seeds time and is labor intensive for each rather wait till the cold has passed and mination (sprouting) and the types of seed. Easier methods used by propa- they know the elements are warm dormancy native seeds use to protect gation enthusiasts is pouring boiling enough to support them. their future. water on seeds and leaving them over- The best trick to break cold phys- Perennial plants fall into several night. Depending on the species this iological dormancy is to find a sterile broad categories: smaller forbs and can take a few tries to break down the water-supporting medium (sterile vines whose growth dies back in the coat, but when the seed seems swol- sand, peat moss, or coconut husk cold, and sturdier shrubs and trees, len as though it has imbibed the water, work well) wet it so it’s spongy, not who live long lives and spend years you’ll know you’re ready. Species that drenched in water, and tuck the seeds establishing themselves. Winter seed appreciate this type of seed scarifica- into the media. You can then put this treatment is helpful for these woodier tion are most things in the Fabaceae in a plastic ziplock bag and put it in shrub and tree species, that put a little (legume) plant family (mesquite, sen- your fridge. Make sure to mark the bag more effort into hedging their seed na, Dalea, Tecoma etc.). and your calendar. You don’t want to germination bets. If you were a big, Another method used is fermenta- forget and snack on them later. Once beautiful shrub, and wanted to give tion. Many seeds that are fleshy (think enough time has passed, you can plant Contributed Photo your seeds the best chance for surviv- berries) need fermentation to elicit the seeds in a pot or in the ground, Native plant seeds are stored in al, you wouldn’t want them to germi- germination. Often this means you and with water and warmth they’re bags and refrigerated in preparation nate immediately and all at the same can just leave the berries to soak in ready to go. for planting at Borderlantds Resto- time. You would want your seeds to ration Network’s seed lab. water with their pulp for about a week One month is an average time to wait, to lay dormant until the perfect By Francesca Claverie before the seed coat is activated and cool the seed. At the Borderlands time, and maybe even be transported they’ll germinate. Species that appre- Restoration Network seed lab, they’ve There are many ways we can start by animal digestion and time. ciate fermentation are berry plants like written down the ideal fridge times for afresh in 2021. In the plant world, Seed dormancy is often two lay- the Rhus (sumac), and Ribes (currant). a number of native shrub species and rebirth isn’t visible until spring, yet the ered. There are seeds that have Physiological dormancy is an inter- should be able to help you determine time for preparing and sprouting often physical dormancy, and those that nal dormancy (not seed coat related) how long to store the seeds in the happens unseen, when everything are physiologically dormant. Physical where factors inside the seed tell it cold. seems the most quiet and dead. dormancy means the seed coat is hard when to germinate. For many shrubs You can email horticulture@bor- Winter is a great time to start prop- and prevents water and air access to of our mid and high elevation moun- derlandsrestoration.org if you have agating your favorite native plants, the seed interior preventing germina- tain regions, the seeds are counting any propagation questions, or join the and this article will discuss some of tion. These seeds are meant to stay down the cold moist days, waiting for local Santa Cruz chapter of the Arizo- the best winter seed propagation in the wild for years and, over time, winter to pass before they germinate. na Native Plant Society at Santacruz. techniques in case you’d like to try at through various natural occurrences, Ways to speed up the process is [email protected] to get together with home, or to begin fathoming the intri- their seed coat will break down and to cold stratify the seeds, in other other native plant nerds and discuss cate natural system of native plants. they will germinate. words trick the seeds into thinking that propagation. This article will discuss the natural, To speed up this process in the winter has come and gone. What plant Happy new year, the plants are magical, and mystical winter seed ger- nursery, various scarification methods mother would want their seed babies excited too.

Don't let mining companies mislead you.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, mining makes up over 20% of our global climate impact. It disrupts communities, harms biodiversity, scars sacred lands, depletes regional water sources, pollutes the air, and threatens the delicate habitats needed for species survival. Operations are rarely sustainable; the resulting aftermath can require indefinite water/soil treatment.

While minerals and metals may be necessary for human consumption, we believe there are certain places that SHOULD NOT be mined. In fact, no type of mining can support the longterm ecological needs of the Patagonia Mountains—a hotspot of biodiversity that's home to over 300 bird species, 600 native bee species, and 100 Federally-listed threatened, endangered, and sensitive species. The Patagonia Mountains should never be a casualty of corporate greed.

Let's protect the biological wealth of our region. Learn more about our mining concerns at: www.patagoniaalliance.org

Making a Difference Each year, the PRT honors members of our communities who have made a difference in our lives. The individuals and organizations featured here stood out for their commitment and their tireless efforts during these difficult times. But so many people have stepped up to help their neighbors this year, and it was really difficult to choose just a few honorees. To our health workers, volunteers at the Senior Center, at the Fairgrounds, at all our local churches, the Patagonia Town officials and staff, and many more, please accept our gratitude for all you have done. You all help to make this an amazing place to live.

Photo by Robert Gay Photo by Marion Vendituoli Photo by Marion Vendituoli Bob Brandt Kenny Hayes and Mary Faley By Lynn Davison By Sarah Klingenstein Faley and Hayes have each taken into account the You have probably seen Bob Brandt around Strong leaders share certain traits, and we all opinions and needs of all community stakeholders. Patagonia, a guy with a crisp walk and an enviable know them when we see them. Those who study According to Sonoita/Elgin Board President Ginny supply of white hair, always going somewhere. Bob leadership tell us that leaders need to be courageous Cosbey, “Mary has a way of dealing with people so plays many roles in our community. When he sees decision-makers, while having the ability to make respectfully. She listens well, synthesizes the facts. something that needs doing, he steps up. When those they lead feel heard, understood, respected She’s honest; she’ll tell you what she thinks, but asked to take on a volunteer job, he is likely to say and valued. when you know you’ve been heard, you feel respect- yes. Bob is leading the community effort to restore The PRT honors Superintendents/Principals ed. She looks at things from all sides and she and the the option of recycling to the people in Patagonia. Kenny Hayes of Patagonia School District and Mary Board come to mutual decisions.” He is the acting president of the Board of Directors of Faley of Sonoita/Elgin School District, who have Several overall themes stand out with these two CHOP, the local nonprofit dedicated to bringing more shown those traits in abundance, as they have been leaders. They have both shown the courage to make affordable housing to Patagonia. He is a docent at the tested in the fire of COVID19 in the past year. The hard, sometimes unpopular decisions; and the cour- Patagonia Museum, volunteers for the Visitors community has watched these two leaders take on age to really listen to every staff member, parent, Center, is a member of the Dirtbags (a volunteer the drastically altered world of education that COVID child, and board member and take their needs into group who design, build, and maintain hiking trails has brought to their doorsteps. account, knowing that not everyone will be happy. locally), and a driver for the Senior Center. Bob also Beginning in March, when schools were closed Neither educator is one to stand alone in the writes for the PRT and is a past president and current the day local districts went on spring break, Hayes limelight. Faley sees her school as a team, with each member of the PRT Board of Directors. and Faley took on this new reality. As Ron Pitt, person having his or her own area of expertise. Coming from his roots as a Pennsylvania farm boy, Head of the Patagonia High School Board described, “Leonard Sadorff, Facilities Manager, and Annette Bob especially likes getting outside and doing some “Kenny Hayes contacted every organization that had Koweek, science teacher and School Nurse, especial- physical labor. He is the kind of guy who signs on to do with schools and health, searching for advice, ly work closely with me on all important decisions. to help roll a giant cistern up a big hill at Deep Dirt personal protective equipment, in-service educa- They share the load,” she said. Farm. He is not the kind of guy who seeks the lime- tion for staff on distance learning. Very quickly, he Hayes performs a lot of the elementary and high light and, in fact, will be a little embarrassed to be presented five scenarios to the Board, and this as a school principals’ roles in Patagonia. Because of that, acknowledged here. newly hired Superintendent who was still acting as he relies on his leadership team: Michael Young, While it seems like Bob is investing all his time an Assistant Superintendent while teaching courses. Ann Gortarez and Anelie Olivarria. “There’s a lot contributing to the Patagonia community, that’s not It was trial by fire.” of knowledge and experience there and, because altogether true. He has a “day job” working part-time Faley similarly worked through the issues, setting I never like to make decisions in a vacuum, they for Wildlife Corridors and he still gets out hiking regu- teachers up with distance learning training through are critical partners. And I must thank my wife and larly with his wife Ann. ASU, creating protocols with staff for distribution fellow educator Journee Hayes, for all her support,” What sets him apart is a strong commitment to of learning devices and other materials, and creat- he said. be of service, to help out, to give something back. ing criteria for in-person vs. distance learning. “I’ve Faley and Hayes also acknowledged the support Thanks Bob, in so many ways you are making our learned a lot about the spread of disease, HVAC they receive from their boards, and both are quick to community a better place. And thanks Ann for giving and water systems. Even seemingly small decisions commend all staff members for rising to the occa- him some space to do so. like hand sanitizers are more complicated than one sion this COVID year. And they long to be with their would have thought, as there are skin sensitivities teams and students again in the ways they are so and storage,” she said. used to. Hayes said “The staff and I miss the stu- In late spring, both leaders and their teaching dents. Even when they are on campus, we haven’t Cera Lynn L.Ac., LMT Aesthetician seen them in the way we are used to. While six feet C H I N E S E M E D I C I N E staffs began planning for the fall. A statewide sum- S P A Z E N doesn’t seem that far, it is when you want to help a 520/398-9886 mer surge made the decision to open in-person or not very last-minute as opening days approached. student with a tough assignment or help a 1st grader Acupuncture Integrative Care Leaders met, and continue to meet, regularly with open a lunch container. None of us envisioned our Skin Care Aesthetics Medical Massage County Health and the County School Superinten- profession being this way.” Lymphobiology Pain Syndromes dent’s Office personnel. So here’s to leadership, and to getting through While they have made different decisions along this year, and on to a fresh beginning next fall. Let’s www.spazen.net [email protected] the way as to in-person/hybrid/distance learning, hope we can be closer together and more like nor- 2 8 9 M c Ke o w n # 2 Pa t a g o n i a , A z 8 5 6 2 4 mal, which will certainly seem extraordinary. PAGE 12 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 Making a Difference

Photo by Marion Vendituoli Photo by Marion Vendituoli Contributed Photo Gardenia Lamadrid Moffet Mtn. Empire Rotary Club Jim Staudacher and By Pat McNamara By Marion Vendituoli Faith Coburn Developing the monthly Sonoita Produce on The PRT wants to recognize the Mountain Empire By Patra Kelly Wheels and Sonoita Community Market, where local Rotary Club (MER). This group of only 10 - 14 volun- Jim Staudacher and Faith Coburn became par- businesses can share their products with the com- teers has worked tirelessly to support our communi- ticipants in produce distribution for the East Santa munity, hosting a toilet paper drive during the first ties in so many ways. Cruz County Community Food Bank in 2016. They weeks of COVID and chairing the community Hal- MER donated funds to the Patagonia Youth had been receiving produce and donating regularly loween Party at the Fairgrounds are just a few of the Enrichment Center this past spring to help director when Clark Lydick and Judy Saber, organizers of the contributions that Gardenia Lamadrid Moffet, along Anna Coleman provide meals to children and their Food Bank program for many years, invited them to with her husband Tom, has made in the relatively families, and they baked goods to add to the meal become more involved. Later Jim and Faith became short time that they have lived in Sonoita. She has packets. They donated $500 to Elen Kentnor and Food Bank Board members and Jim has been the also partnered with the Fairgrounds to organize and Mimi Henley who made thousands of masks that Board’s president since October 2019. provide complimentary rootbeer floats for events, were distributed throughout Arizona. When the Jim described their work as volunteers in distribu- and Tom coached the Elgin girls basketball team Patagonia schools went to distance learning, the Club tion as “a unique experience. It is rescuing produce last year. The couple have obtained a large freez- donated $3000 to buy eight chrome books. When the and making it available to people in the community. er located at the VINE Church, where she and her Elgin School needed to purchase protective cases for So much food goes to waste.” He explained that pro- husband are co-pastors, which they plan to fill with chrome books, they donated $3000 to buy the cases. duce crosses the border shipped in pallet increments, frozen meals that will be available to the community. In addition, they run the Student of the Month but pallets often break. Produce companies turn over To top off her already busy schedule, Moffet also is program at PUHS, have sponsored scholarships for boxes from broken pallets to Borderlands Produce in charge of, and responsible for, the growth of the high school students to attend the Rotary Youth Rescue, who makes these boxes available to the Harvest Home Schoolers, a Christian based education Leadership Academy, a four-day leadership develop- Food Bank. Also, some produce arrives too ripe to be co-op open to the public for families in the commu- ment program, and they also fund two $1000 renew- shipped farther north, but still in good condition and nity. able scholarships for high school seniors. is offered to the Food Bank. They take both organic Moffet married young, and raised and home “Our big thrust is literacy,” MER member Anne and non-organic, though they prefer organic. schooled her five children. When her marriage dis- Gibson said. The club donated books that were Distributing produce is a natural outgrowth of solved she went back to college as a non-traditional handed out to children this summer in a program run their work in Viroqua, Wisconsin, where they live student, earning degrees in broadcast journalism and by the Patagonia Library. They have donated books during the summer months. In 1999 they bought a mass communication. to the Patagonia and Elgin Schools and to the home small farm to grow organic produce and in 2005 be- Throughout this time, Moffet kept remembering school consortium in Sonoita and give every student gan selling it each summer, which they still do. Their the book that she had read as a young runaway, “The a book on his or her birthday. The Club also provides philosophy is that organic produce needs to be made Power of Positive Thinking,” and what peace those every third grader in the area with a dictionary, and available and affordable to everyone. In order to words from Norman Vincent Peale brought her. Fol- Gibson, Sue Archibald and Reba Webber read to stu- keep prices down and cover costs of the farm, Faith lowing that calling she found her home in the dents at the Patagonia School. For their efforts, MER worked full time for the U.S. Department of Justice as Foursquare Church Denomination where she studied won a district-wide Rotary Literacy Award for their a crime victim specialist, providing services to victims to be a pastor. She met her current husband Tom programs, highlighting their efforts in the schools. of federal crimes. She continues this work, but now when he officiated at the wedding of her best friend MER also built the Fred Sang Memorial Rotary from home. and they were married in 2018. Shortly thereafter, Park in Sonoita, help at the Produce on Wheels at the During the COVID crisis, they have adopted stan- they came to Sonoita as pastors for Harvest Christian VINE Church and have donated live capture traps to dard sanitizing procedures. Faith bags the produce Church, which they rebranded in August 2020 as the the Patagonia Animal Control officer. They donated for people, who stay safely distanced. Their goal is to VINE Church. Their focus is community service, out- to the Junior Rodeo, to a woman’s shelter in Sierra safely bring food and people together. They are do- reach and unification within the Patagonia, Sonoita Vista and to the Patagonia Senior Center. They also ing their own research, adjusting the procedures, and and Elgin area. held a breakfast for the staff at local schools. giving out masks and hand sanitizers. Jim said, “We Moffet’s goal is to bring the local population Under the leadership of Clare Bonelli, they have find the entire process to be so rewarding. So many together to celebrate service to others and provide also organized recycling events. They hope to have times, people thank us for what we do.” low cost produce for those in need as well as anyone one recycling event in Patagonia and one in Sonoita Produce is delivered by the Food Bank every Mon- who wishes to partake. She believes that “When peo- every three months. day morning from 10:30 to 11:30a.m. outside the ple come together in unity, God gives them a specific Their work is funded through Rotary grants and Patagonia Senior Center. On the second Wednesday blessing.” their annual fundraiser. Last year they held a success- of the month they distribute canned food and dry Moffet also stresses that their congregation is ful casino night at the Sonoita Fairgrounds, and this goods next to the Catholic Church on Rothrock Ave. eager to help anyone within the community to cele- year plan to hold a golf tournament in the spring. at They also help with distribution on Thursdays of spe- brate “serve days,”which Tom oversees, where peo- the Benson Golf Club. This small group of dedicat- cial food boxes delivered by Dr. John Arnold and his ple gather to help those in need with yard work or ed volunteers continue to work hard to support a foundation PEPP, outside both the Patagonia Senior other maintenance projects. For more information, multitude of local causes, driven by a belief shared Center and the Patagonia Youth Enrichment Center. visit VINEchurches.org or email theVinechurches@ by Gibson, that “we have to do everything we can to gmail.com. build our community at the ground level.” PAGE 13 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 her capabilities is getting this oppor- “Patagonia is unique in that respect tunity,” he said. “It shows students because within a mile radius a child Local Student Heading to Yale that it doesn’t matter where you go to can safely walk/ride their bike to the high school. If you work hard you can library, hummingbird center, the park, accomplish great things,” he said. school, art center, swim pool, town Chesed began her theatrical in- square, youth center, church, Border- volvement at the age of seven when lands summer programs like BECY, she took part in the Missoula Theater KPUP broadcasting, classes, etc., and production of “Sleeping Beauty” at at any of these places there's other the Elgin School, where she played children and/or adults cultivating their the part of a caterpillar. She became minds.” involved with club theater at the Chesed feels that living in Patagonia Patagonia Creative Arts Center, gave her the opportunity to partici- starting in elementary school, and last pate in a variety of activities and was spring she wrote, directed, and starred instrumental in her acceptance to Yale. in a production of “Catcher in the Rye” “It takes a village – you hear that a lot, with the main character, played by but I don’t think I would have accom- Chesed, rewritten as a girl. plished this feat without this communi- She feels she was drawn to the ty.” She participated in soccer, tennis, theater because “it’s such an acces- steel band, the yearbook and student sible form of expression. There’s so government at PUHS. She also worked many ways to alter a production,” she as a summer intern in the Borderlands said, “so many ways to put your own Earth Care Youth Institute (BECY). spin on it. Even lighting choices make One of the advantages of a small a production what it is. It is a melding town, she feels, is the “capacity to between whoever wrote a script and know so many people in different whoever executes the production.” ways.” As an example, she cited Caleb She credits “everyone involved Weaver, who has been her soccer at the Arts Center” for helping her coach, her boss in the BECY program develop as an artist, especially Cassina and whom she directed when he acted Farley, Anita Clovesko-Wharton and in her play. Photo by Marion Vendituoli Laura Wenzel. “I admire them a lot for Chesed would like to work in the- Chesed Chap has earned a full four-year scholarship to Yale University. keeping the arts alive for the kids,” she ater as an actor, then perhaps pursue said. She expressed her gratitude for directing, playwriting and possibly By Marion Vendituoli a full four-year scholarship, at the be- Matthew Lysiak, as well. “He’s always screenwriting. “As long as I work in any ginning of December. Earlier this year, there when I have an idea and he helps of these fields, I’ll be perfectly con- When PUHS senior Chesed Chap she was one of 6885 students, out of me execute them,” she said. “He was tent,” she said. She is also considering started looking at colleges this fall, she over 18,500 applicants, to be selected a huge help with “Catcher in the Rye.” teaching theater arts. “It’s not a Plan knew that she wanted a school with as a National College Match Finalist And she acknowledged Lars Marshal, B. The idea of being a drama teacher a strong Theater Arts program. “I was in the QuestBridge program, which whom she referred to as her “spirit really excites me.” fortunate enough to find my passion at facilitates early admission applications guide.” For now, she is focusing on experi- a young age,” she said. “I’m very, very for students who “exhibit outstanding Chesed’s father, Peter Chap, moved encing all that Yale has to offer, includ- passionate about theater. I think that’s academic achievement despite finan- to Patagonia when Chesed was 11, ing extra-curricular theater programs what got me into Yale.” cial challenges” Finalists can apply, for looking for a school system with small and possibly student teaching through Chesed, who applied to twelve free, to up to 12 of the 42 colleges that classes. He chose Patagonia because the Yale Education Scholars program. schools through the QuestBridge pro- partner with the program. “the schools and community offered “I wake up every morning in disbelief,” gram, was notified of her early deci- Patagonia School Superintendent many opportunities for the children to she said. And I don’t think it’ll feel real sion admission to Yale University, with Kenny Hayes is excited for Chesed. “I explore and grow,” he wrote. until I graduate from college.” think it’s awesome that a student of

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PAGE 14 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 Glimpses Into Our Past

By Alison Bunting Olvera St. area. In 1862 he married Most of the large ranches estab- Sacramento Peña and adopted her lished in the late 1800s in the Cienega three daughters. Tomás and Valley relied on vaqueros of Mexican Sacramento had 11 children together, heritage for their operations. Some six girls and five boys. About 1872 the were employed full-time at the ranch- family was traveling in Arizona Territo- es, and others were hired to assist ry when their wagon was attacked by during busy times such as the bi-an- raiding Apaches. One son, José Maria, nual roundups. The vaqueros and was severely injured and they lost all their families resided or homesteaded their possessions. They were forced to near the ranches where they worked, settle in Arizona Territory, as they had sometimes raising their own cattle to no funds to return to Los Angeles. supplement their income. The Empire The 1880 U.S. Census has two Ranch, established in 1876 by Walter listings for Tomás. He was “herder” Vail and Herbert Hislop, employed living at the Empire Ranch. Tomás and Photo Courtesy of Eddie Gardner many local vaqueros and in 1890 seven Sacramento are also listed as living Blás Lopéz family (L to R): Maria Pallanes holding daughter Rita, Eléna, of them participated in the famed in the Cienega Valley with six of their Arnulfo Peña, Blás (seated), and Rosario, 1900. cattle drive from the Empire Ranch to children: George, José, Blás, Carlos, published. [Arizona Weekly Citizen, Empire Ranch in the 1880s, alongside Warner’s Ranch in California. This sto- Chunita and Thomása. George, age 15, 2/14/1885]. A hearing before the Reg- his father. Tomás and Blás planted ry, about two of these vaqueros, broth- and José, age 13, were also working as ister and Receiver was scheduled for “cottonwood switches” along the ers Blás Lopéz and George E. Lopéz, is herders. The family’s neighbors were February 25, 1885. Sadly, before the Empire Gulch north of Empire Ranch dedicated to Edward F. Gardner (1932- P. M. Hilton, who had a large sheep hearing was held, Tomás was found headquarters, creating the wonderful 2020). Eddie, who was Blás’ grandson, ranch, and Don Alonzo Sanford, who dead, hanging from a cottonwood near cottonwood grove we see today. Blás documented and willingly shared the owned the Stock Valley Ranch, so the his property. Some say it was suicide, married Maria Pallanes in 1925 and history of his family. Eddie’s mother, boys likely worked for one of them. but many believe he was murdered. they had four daughters. Maria died in Rita Lopez, married David J. Gardner, In the 1880s, Tomás settled on George Lopez worked for the 1900. In the 1920s Blás was the Empire grandson of famed pioneer, Thomas land southeast of the Empire Ranch Empire Ranch in the early 1900s. Ranch foreman and a most trusted Frederick Gardner. Rest in peace Eddie, headquarters, known as “The Cot- He later worked in local mines and Vail family employee. By 1930 he was and I hope you’re enjoying swapping tonwoods” in Section 21 of Township ranched in the Alto area of Santa Cruz ranching on his own spread in Elgin stories with all your ancestors. 19S, Range 17E. This land was eligible County. He married Zeferina Espinoza and assisted in Empire Ranch round- Tomás Lopéz was born in for homesteading, but Tomás did not in 1891 and they had eight children. ups. [Arizona Daily Star, 10/2/1932]. Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico on Dec. initially register his claim. On January George died in Tucson in 1946 at age Blás died in Los Angeles in 1946 at age 19, 1827. In 1850, age 23, he emigrat- 12, 1885 he filed a notice with the 82. 78. ed to Los Angeles and farmed near the Tucson Land Office for Homestead 253 Blás started working for the for this property, and the notice was What is That? By Cami Schlappy

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Photo by Cami Schlappy Encrusting Desert Termites (photo taken in Rain Valley)

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PAGE 15 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 trees. Post-breeding, the descending. Watching majority of trogons head them frenetically for- south of the border to age in our woodlands, wait out winter’s worst. I’m always left aghast A mere handful (usually that they can actually males), however, are find sufficient inverte- detected each winter in brates to sustain their southeast Arizona - gen- high-speed lifestyle. erally at lower elevations All three species than during the breeding of North American season. bluebirds can be Migrating Mountaineers My first encounter found at lower ele- with a winter trogon was vations in our area in Winter arrived on Dec. 21 on at our nature sanctuary near winter. The mountain an unseasonably balmy day. Even Patagonia Lake. It was January and I bluebird lives up to its with a warmer and drier projection had just returned from Australia and moniker while breed- for weather this season we will still its own array of striking avifauna. The ing, though it readily Photo by Vince Pinto undoubtedly experience our fair share day after arriving home I took a walk comes down in small Vince Pinto took this photo of an elegant trogon of frigid temperatures. A 700 day in just below my house and heard the numbers to the edges at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary. Patagonia can often be accompanied distinctive “bark” of an elegant trogon. of our woodlands and by a 300 night, for example. Knowing their habitat preferences, I even grasslands in its tory birds. Cooper’s and sharp-shined Local wildlife species have an array ignored the call, thinking that I must be quest for winter sustenance, as do hawks are certainly key suspects with of evolved behavioral and physiologi- “hearing things.” Soon, however, my the more common eastern and west- perhaps an ambitious American kestrel cal responses to deal with such severe eyes belied my doubt, as a male trogon ern bluebirds, which I often detect by thrown in at times. So too, surprising- dips in the mercury. One of the most came into view a mere 20 yards away! flight calls. Within the lower elevations ly, are loggerhead shrikes, which I’ve observable behavioral responses is the Making the sighting even more excit- they are very much mobile - here one witnessed attacking the much larger migration of birds. Of course, various ing was the fact that it was hunting minute and gone the next. So too with flickers - a sight to be seen. species travel from northern climes to in a mesquite/catclaw forest - miles cedar waxwings. Keep a look-out, too, this winter winter in the more amenable tem- from the nearest sycamore or stream. A bit more faithful in its choice for other altitudinal migrants, such as: peratures of our somewhat subtropi- At Lake Patagonia several years ago, of wintering locales is the red-shafted Hutton’s vireo, bridled titmouse, Cas- cal latitudes. Yet other species travel I watched a male trogon (the same flicker - Arizona’s largest species of sin’s finch, Williamson’s and red-naped down from the higher elevations of one?) sup upon a large grasshopper woodpecker. Normally, they breed sapsuckers, and even such rarities as our higher mountains to partake of the that it had deftly nabbed, thereby at higher elevations and in denser rufous-backed robin. Wait for the cold resources in lower elevation habitats. explaining why some individuals linger forests, but during the colder months weather and let them come to you. These are the altitudinal migrants that in winter. they grace us with their presence low Happy “hunting”! we’ll focus upon here. While winter trogon hunting is down. Ants, their dietary mainstay, Among the most elusive, yet often a fruitless pursuit, other bird are much more frequently active in Vincent Pinto and his wife, Claudia, spectacular of these winter wayfarers species regularly descend the moun- the valleys than in the mountains. Easy run RAVENS-WAY WILD JOURNEYS LLC, is the rightly famous elegant trogon. tains for the water, invertebrates, and math! Coming down does, however, their Nature Adventure & Conservation The male, in particular, is a show-stop- warmth proffered by our lower hab- come with a price to pay at times. I organization devoted to protecting and per in terms of his gaudy plumage that itats. I truly reckon cold weather has have occasionally encountered ex-flick- promoting the unique biodiversity of may convert even the most reticent arrived when the ruby-crowned king- ers in the form of a tell-tale, colorful the Sky Islands region. RWWJ offers observer into an instant birdwatcher. lets show up at our place. Normally pile of feathers with perhaps an odd private birding & biodiversity tours. Typically, the species nests in mid-ele- denizens of higher coniferous or mixed body part thrown in as well. These Visit: www.ravensnatureschool.org vational riparian forests with sycamore forests, they shun winter’s worst by individuals clearly fell prey to preda-

They had had no problem hole swallowing stars - and everything wondrous double cluster of stars, fall- Starstruck pushing through the wire that else - that continuously succumb to its ing within the constellation Perseus. If keeps Jersey safe and close gravity. you do force yourself away from that to home. It soon appeared that they Rather than exceed our reach, or sight and drift north and west, you’ll found their way out as easily as they our grasp, let’s focus on what we can be able to see, as I did on the night had found their way in, but I went see with the naked eye or a pair of the javelinas paid us a visit, a fuzzy outside to make sure. I wanted to con- binoculars. Follow the glow from the patch that is our neighboring galaxy, firm that when we let Jersey out in the south and look just a bit to the west Andromeda. It dwarfs the Milky Way morning she wouldn’t be met by any- and you find the sky’s brightest star, with, perhaps, one trillion stars. If you thing that didn’t belong on her turf. Sirius. Further north, and still to the spot it, you are seeing light that has I did my tour, convinced that all had west is Betelgeuse, one of the signa- been on the move for over 2.5 million moved along. And then, because it’s ture stars of Orion, the Hunter. On the years. Finally, from Andromeda look become habit, I looked at the sky. It other side of the Milky Way’s arm, the east and the famous “W” of Cassiope- was moonless and clear, with a bright feet of Gemini give clues to finding its ia, the Queen, completes the journey. Milky Way that made me forget why primary stars, Castor and Pollux. Then, It’s tricky to go from all of that to By Harold Meckler I’d gotten out of bed in the first place. return to the path, sliding again north- the bleak remnants of the broccoli It was The Night of the Javelina. You’ve got to wait for darkness to ward. To the west is the red giant, plant that seems to have been the Earlier, my wife and I, along with our really settle in to truly see the magnifi- Aldebaran, marking the eye of Taurus, object of all the commotion from the Lab mix, Jersey Girl, had hiked along cence of the Milky Way. What we gaze the Bull. javelinas. But it’s a reminder that we the Juan Bautista de Anza trail north at is but one arm of our spiral galaxy. At this point, we’re about halfway can’t afford to completely lose our- of Tumacacori. By 10:00p.m. we were In the early part of January at through the tour. Continuing north selves in the sky when there remains ready to call it quits for the day. The around midnight, that lustrous haze you’ll find the magnificent Capella, so much to see and do and take care high temperatures had continued containing countless stars will run the third brightest star in the northern of right here on the ground. into the evening, so we left a window nearly north/south and will not con- celestial hemisphere. It is the alpha, or All in all, though, it worked out. open. A few hours later, my wife jolted tend with the light of a full moon. lead star of Auriga, the Charioteer. Off The javelinas had a good meal and I, upright. Something was fighting in our If one could follow it far, far beyond to the west is the beautiful open star by happenstance, spent a few special fenced-in back yard. Flashlights quickly the northern horizon, the center of cluster, the Pleiades. One could easily minutes in awe once again of the lights illuminated six javelina, ranging in size our galaxy would be the reward. And, spend hours admiring these Seven in the sky. The animals had their fill, from next-to-nothing to mom and pop. if you were magically able to travel Sisters, but pulling us back along the and I had mine. there, you’d find an enormous black Milky Way’s path is perhaps the most PAGE 16 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 develop detailed plans for the event financial and staff resources to imple- and recruited the Rotary volunteers ment a full-scale recycling program at Task Force, Rotary who donated use of their vehicles and this time, although that is our ultimate helped load the recyclables onto the objective. For now, recycling in Patago- Hold Recycling Event waiting vehicles. An estimated 25-30 nia will have to be a largely volunteer local residents brought their recycla- operation.” bles and donated more than $350 in The glass recycling and Rotary cash that went to the town’s recycling events will be conducted as separate fund. Bonelli declared the event a operations in the rear of the post of- “resounding success.” fice. Rotary has arranged for Building on this success, the task Tucson-based Suburban Miners to force has opted to sponsor with the receive electronics and all types of town a series of recycling events that batteries and scrap metal, even major will partially fill the void left by the appliances. suspension of the county’s program. The recycling task force will accept The task force will begin a monthly col- glass of any color, rinsed or washed lection of a single recyclable commod- so that it is free of food or beverage ity beginning with glass on Saturday, contaminants and without lids. Lids Jan. 23. On that date, the task force may be thrown in with the scrap metal will piggy-back onto the Rotary club’s collected by Suburban Miners at the electronics and scrap metal collection Rotary event. event at the Patagonia Post Office The Rotary Club will accept cash do- from 9:00 to 11:00a.m. to collect glass nations - $5 suggested - to help defray and only glass. No other recyclables the costs of having Suburban Miners Photo by Mike Sweedo will be accepted by the task force that come to Patagonia. Donations to the Kenny Hayes sorts cardboard at the recycling event held in Patagonia on Dec. 5. Seven truckloads of recyclables collected at the event were trans- day. task force will be added to the town’s ported to Tucson recycling facilities. “The rationale for this approach,” recycling fund. By Bob Brandt its county-wide recycling program last said task force chair Bob Brandt, “is Both the task force and Rotary March. The event was held at the that we believe focusing on one recy- welcome new members. If interested Volunteers from the Mountain Patagonia Post Office and resulted clable item each month will allow us in joining the recycling group, contact Empire Rotary Club joined hands with in seven truck and trailer loads of to better educate our citizens about Bob Brandt at [email protected]. members of the Patagonia Recycling recyclables being taken to recycling how to properly recycle each type of For information about the Mountain Task Force on Dec. 5 to carry out what facilities in Tucson. commodity until we can begin collect- Empire Rotary Club, email Bonelli at was the first organized recycling event Rotarian Clare Bonelli joined the ing all items at the same time. It also [email protected]. in Patagonia since the COVID pandem- meetings of the task force to acknowledges that the town lacks the ic forced Santa Cruz County to suspend You ask. We answer.

THE ASK HOW WE ANSWERED South32 regularly hears questions No. Our community investment, especially our about our giving in the community, investment during the many laced with concern that COVID pandemic, is we’re trying to buy support for the designed to help businesses, non-profit Hermosa Project. Simply put, does organizations, and the local acceptance of a South32 donation communities they serve. translate to support of the Acceptance of a South32 donation in no way waives your right to oppose activities at Hermosa Project? Hermosa or the project in general. We simply believe good corporate neighbors should invest in their communities.

One way we invest in the community is by providing grants through the South32 Hermosa Community Fund, which is held Every inquiry from the by the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona. Visit community matters. Is cfsaz.org/grants/south32-grants for more information about there something you’ve past giving and how to apply. been meaning to ask?

[email protected] south32.net/hermosa

PAGE 17 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 Town Road Projects: The Great Conjunction More To Come By Bob Brandt

Photo by Robert Gay A flagman halts traffic during the repaving of Harshaw Rd. this fall. Resi- Photo by Michael Schwartz dents experienced delays of up to 20 minutes during this construction. Patagonians can once again access destinations. Wheelchair access to the By Michael Schwartz We have seen a true rarity. What does this mean to astrono- their local post office relatively free of sidewalk is included in the plan as are This is a close-up “image” I took on my? The planets move and meet in the ubiquitous cones, signs, machines designated parking spaces for handi- the evenings of the Winter Solstice, our line of sight. and noise in evidence during the re- capped individuals. 2020. A conjunction is when any two What does this mean to astrology? cent repaving of Taylor and McKeown The project will also include a des- planets appear together in the sky. Not my specialty. Avenues and Harshaw Road. More ignated bike path on the south side of In this case, the largest planet Jupiter I have my own interpretation. It inconvenience may be in store in the McKeown and the town’s helicopter and the second largest, Saturn, the heralds the end of a year that was DIF- new year, however, as the 200 block of landing pad will be enlarged, repaved ringed giant. FICULT. Not as bad as Edward I losing McKeown is slated to get a substantial and linked with Third Avenue by a new Is this a “Christmas Star”? If people to William of Normandy in 1066 under facelift this spring when the second access driveway. say it, is so. Such conjunctions are very the light of Halley’s Comet, but close. phase of the town’s two-phase road The $1.6 million project is being rare. The last Jupiter-Saturn meeting Therefore this astronomer, if he project gets underway. financially underwritten entirely by this close that could be seen was 1226 must assign meaning, says that this While changes are likely between South32. It materialized after South32 ACE. The next one is sooner, on the conjunction predicts a better world in now and the proposed May 1 start approached town officials last January Ides of March, 2080. date, Phase II plans currently call for seeking ideas for a community im- 2021. parking, sidewalk, bike path and heli- provement project to support. pad improvements. The parties initially focused on The north side of McKeown will reviving a stalled McKeown sidewalk be the focus of most of the addition- improvement project that had been Affordable Housing al work as the repaving of McKeown proposed in 2016. Ultimately, South32 from Third Avenue to Taylor will agreed to fund a much larger project Survey Underway permit marked head-in parking spaces including the post office and Taylor By Bob Brandt anonymously and may be filled out to be installed where only undefined Avenue improvements and paving in paper form or online. Those who parking space currently exists. Wheth- Harshaw Road all the way to the town Community Homes of Patagonia complete the paper questionnaire er the parking configuration will be limit. (CHOP) has announced that its con- may return it in a sealed envelope to straight in or slanted remains to be Having agreed on the scope of sultant, Wendy Carter Development their participating employer, school or determined, but in either case, a new work, the parties signed a community Consulting, is conducting a survey of organization or drop it in the drop box concrete sidewalk will flank the new development agreement setting forth local households and employees to at Patagonia Town Hall. parking area and run the full length of their respective roles. The town then determine the need and demand for CHOP is asking everyone who the block between Third Avenue and put the project out for competitive bid, affordable housing in the town and participates in the survey to respond Taylor, will curve around on the west which was won by Hunter Contractors. surrounding area. by January 14 so that the responses end of the block and continue to the Town Manager Ron Robinson com- CHOP’s Strategic Planning Com- can be tabulated and analyzed by the intersection of Third and SR 82 (Naugle mended Hunter for going beyond what mittee, headed by Tod Bowden, has end of January, after which time the Avenue). was required within the contract. He worked with Carter to design a ques- consulting firm will present its findings Cross walks will be marked at the noted that Hunter extended, without tionnaire and survey strategy that will and recommendations to the CHOP newly-paved intersections to allow additional compensation, the curbing help them document the need for Board of Directors. pedestrians to safely cross to the post and paving work at the post office to affordable housing and the level of office, town hall and other nearby include the area around the juniper interest in both rental and and ash trees. They also home ownership housing paved more of the park- units. ing lot than the required Carter and CHOP are twelve inches from the working through schools, curb. employers, and commu- Discussions are pres- nity organizations to get ently underway with individuals and members South32 about the of households to partic- possibility of paving the ipate in the survey. One parking area at the Family questionnaire per house- Health Center. hold is to be completed

PAGE 18 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 To give is to receive, and to VFB Delivers receive is to give. Christmas offers us the opportunity to Xmas Gifts to remember and engage in the practice of this spiritual axiom. Asylum Seekers Thus, when Voices From the Border (VFB) board member, By Robin Kulibert Marcela Ezrré, suggested VFB deliver Christmas gifts to asylum seekers who have been living and waiting in Nogales, Sonora, the rest of the board agreed without hesitation. Word went out, funds flowed in, and the shopping began. As it turned out, this project became one of the largest and most logistically challenging (read: COVID) that VFB has ever attempted. Photo by Chuck Klingenstein But, it happened! On Dec.23, Marcella Ezrré and Robin Kulibert on their way to deliver a loaded truck full in a truck full of blankets, of items for migrants living in a bus station turned shelter, and elsewhere in Nogales Sonora, thanks to the many generous Christmas donations given heaters, food staples (and, it to Voices From the Border being Christmas, large boxes of cookies), backpacks, socks, toys, books, and school sup- Recycling Event in Patagonia plies, Ezrre and I drove to the The Mountain Empire Rotary Club the truck. bus station-turned-shelter, just will host a recycling event for scrap Go to https://suburbanminers. over the line. There we offered steel and electronics Jan 23 from com/ and, at the bottom, click on our gifts to the eight resident 9-11 (or until the truck is full) behind “What We Recycle” for more info. families, and left much more for the Patagonia Post Office. What can “We do not accept CRT (glass tube) others living elsewhere. be recycled: scrap steel including TVs or CRT computer monitors.” Thank you all for your sup- fencing and roofing material, batter- Let’s keep as much as possible port in sharing the spirit of the ies of all kinds, electronics, copper, out of the landfill! Hopefully, this season with those whose lives Photo by Robin Kulibert metal desks and chairs, cameras, event will be as successful as the one have been so disrupted, and computers. If you are bringing hosted by Mountain Empire Rotary A young boy blows bubbles, part of the for whom Christmas has such large items such as fencing or metal and the Patagonia Recycling Task gifts he received from Voices From the meaning. Border in Nogales, Sonora on Dec. 23. roofing, please come early so that Force on Dec 5. there is sure to be enough room on

PAGE 19 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 2020 Christmas Bird Count By Kathy West The 59th Patagonia Christmas Bird Count, held this year on December 17, The consensus was that the sparrow count was way down this year, except started off a little chilly but, as usual, it warmed up and the birds began ap- for white-crowned sparrows. No sparrows were seen in the west part of the pearing, looking for their morning meal. That’s when the fun really begins. San Rafael Grasslands, which is unusual, and many tanks and areas that usual- Forty-six volunteers participated in this year’s count, many birding by foot, ly have water were dry. hiking two - six miles in some areas, some driving over rough terrain in the Some new habitats were birded this year, both east and west sides of Patagonia Mountains to get to prime habitat and others staking out their the Arizona Trail and Red Mountain Road (FR 4649). The latter resulted in a home feeders. red-headed woodpecker sighting. This year we had the use of an interactive Google map, put together by The Patagonia CBC could not take place without the help of all the volun- Alan Schmierer, which enabled birders to see their territory boundaries easier teers and the cooperation of ranchers and public land owners who allow us to and zoom in on roads and habitats. come onto their property for the day. A big thank you! Mourning Dove 77 Woodhouses's Scrub-Jay 18 Vesper Sparrow 2 Greater Roadrunner 15 Mexican Jay 303 Lark Sparrow 11 White-throated Swift 14 Chihuahuan Raven 2 Black-throated Sparrow 33 Anna's Hummingbird 17 Common Raven 368 Song Sparrow 28 Broad-billed Hummingbird 10 Raven sp. 7 Lincoln's Sparrow 7 Violet-crowned Hummingbird 4 Horned Lark 65 White-crowned Sparrow 667 Virginia Rail 1 Bridled Titmouse 364 Dark-eyed Junco 68 American Coot 5 Verdin 25 Oregon 16 Killdeer 7 Bushtit 76 Pink-sided 43 Wilson's Snipe 5 White-breasted Nuthatch 102 Gray-headed 59 Great Blue Heron 3 Brown Creeper 3 Yellow-eyed Junco 4 Black Vulture 14 Rock Wren 11 Eastern Meadowlark 57 Turkey Vulture 2 Canyon Wren 8 Western Meadowlark 23 White-tailed Kite 1 House Wren 3 Brewer's Blackbird 58 Golden Eagle 1 Bewick's Wren 157 Orange-crowned Warbler 2 Northern Harrier 6 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 27 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 Gnatcatcher sp. 2 Audubon's Warbler 203 Cooper's Hawk 5 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 85 Myrtle Warbler 1 Red-tailed Hawk 32 Eastern Bluebird 54 Painted Redstart 3 Barn Owl 1 Western Bluebird 192 Hepatic Tanager 2 Western Screech-Owl 1 Townsend's Solitaire 2 Northern Cardinal 65 Photo by Kathy West Whiskered Screech-Owl 1 Hermit Thrush 31 Pyrrhuloxia 38 Long time birder Tony Leonardi, Great Horned Owl 8 American Robin 29 Lazuli Bunting 1 appropriately attired to find that Northern Pygmy Owl 1 Curve-billed Thrasher 44 passerine sp. 28 rare bird during the Christmas Bird Mexican Spotted Owl 1 Crissal Thrasher 5 blackbird sp. 10 Count in Patagonia. Acorn Woodpecker 133 Northern Mockingbird 22 Rare Finds Redhead 2 Gila Woodpecker 145 Phainopepla 34 Fox Sparrow 1 Cinnamon Teal (CW) 2 Red-naped Sapsucker 25 Olive Warbler 5 Rufous-backed Robin 1 Northern Shoveler (CW)* 2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker 50 House Sparrow 131 Bendire's Thrasher 1 American Wigeon 1 Arizona Woodpecker 9 American Pipit 2 Western Kingbird 1 Mallard 10 Northern Flicker 55 House Finch 404 Red-headed Woodpecker 1 Mexican Duck (CW)* 3 American Kestrel 10 Cassin's Finch 3 Greater Yellowlegs 2 Canvasback 2 Merlin 2 Pine Siskin 76 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2 Northern Pintail 2 Prairie Falcon 4 Lesser Goldfinch 183 Bullock's Oriole 1 Green-winged Teal 3 Hammond's Flycatcher 2 Chestnut-collared Longspur 3 American Goldfinch 1 Ring-necked Duck 8 Gray Flycatcher 9 Green-tailed Towhee 4 Bufflehead 1 Dusky Flycatcher 5 Spotted Towhee 31 Total Birds 5725 Gambel's Quail 10 Black Phoebe 19 Rufous-crowned Sparrow 47 Total Species 130 Montezuma Quail 25 Say's Pheobe 56 Canyon Towhee 75 Rock Pigeon 13 Vermilion Flycatcher 1 Abert's Towhee 39 *CW-Seen during "Count Week", which Eurasian Collard Dove 54 Loggerhead Shrike 14 Rufous-winged Sparrow 19 extends 3 days before and after Inca Dove 1 Hutton's Vireo 9 Chipping Sparrow 199 the count day but not seen on White-winged Dove 85 Steller's Jay 2 Black-chinned Sparrow 12 count day.

PAGE 20 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 Holiday Scenes Even though this holiday season looked a little different for many of us, with no large gatherings, no sitting on Santa’s lap, and a quieter Christmas than many of us might have liked, the Christmas spirit was still alive and well in our communities. Here’s to a healthier, safer New Year.

Contributed Photo 2nd grader Jet Thomas poses as an elf at the Elgin School. Photo by Marion Vendituoli Rebecca and Brett Smith sold their handicrafts at ‘Christmas in Elgin’ at the Elgin Club on Dec. 5. COVID precautions included limiting the event to only 16 vendors and a mask requirement. “We appreciate everyone coming out,” said Rebecca, “because it will help keep the lights on.” This was the first event at the Elgin Club since February.

Photo by Robert Gay Fire trucks, illuminated with Christmas lights, paraded through Patagonia Contributed Photo on Dec. 18. The event "Timeless Carols" was held at Sonoita Hills Community Church Dec. 6. Approximately 40 attendees, spaced at least six feet apart, enjoyed musicians and vocalists Ruth Rauch and Arlie Rauch's concert of classic Christmas carols.

Photo by Lynn Davison These homes in Patagonia were among several that displayed elaborate Christmas decorations and lights throughout Eastern Santa Cruz County.

Photo by Marion Vendituoli Santa arrived at the Sonoita Fairgrounds on Dec.19, greeting children from up on a tractor to maintain safe social distance. The children could then pick up a gift from tables loaded with 200 presents. Photo by Robert Gay Photo by Robert Gay PAGE 21 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 Calendar

EVENTS MEETINGS SPECIAL INTERESTS CHURCH SERVICES

Please note: many meetings will AA: Patagonia Methodist Church Fri, Lunch for Seniors: Dining Room Churches are practicing social be cancelled or moved online until 7:30p.m. Sonoita Bible Church Tues, Closed. Fresh-cooked meals Available distancing. further notice. 7:30p.m. For more AA meetings call to pick up, Mon - Fri 12p.m. -1p.m. 520-624-4183 (Methodist Church is At the Patagonia Senior Center. Canelo Cowboy Church 14 McCar- Jan. 1: 3p.m. Benderly Hall Opera closed until Nov. 15) thy Lane, Elgin 520-604-6990 House: Online performance. No Sr. Citizens of Patagonia Van Service: Sunday Service: 8:30a.m. Cost. www.scfpapresents.org/perfor- Medical transportation, Mon - Fri for Sunday School: 10a.m. mance-schedule and addition info. Overeaters Anonymous: Thurs 6:30 p.m. Fragrance-free meeting. seniors & disabled by appointment only. Info: 520-394-2494. Patagonia Community United Jan. 10: New Year’s Community Patagonia United Methodist Church. Methodist Church In person Worship Service at the Sonoita Fair- 520 404-3490. Has moved online. Angel Wings Thrift & Gift Shop: Sunday service 10a.m. Services grounds. 10a.m. - coffee. 10:30a.m. Thurs - Sat 10a.m. - 2p.m. Our Lady will continue to be broadcasted worship service. Churches Participat- Al Anon (for family and friends of of the Angels Catholic Church, 12 Los to KPUP 100.5 as well. Several ing: Canelo Cowboy Church, Sonoita alcoholics): Patagonia Community Encinos Rd, Sonoita. other services are being offered Hills Church & the VINE Church, Methodist Church, Wed, 6p.m. on- throughout the week. Sonoita. For more information call/text line on Zoom. Call 315-516-5998 Sonoita Farmers Market: Sat 9a.m.- Call or 12p.m. Located at post office parking r more info. pastor gardenia 602.292.1616 email church office fo NEW Adult Children of Alcoholics lot, NW corner Hwy 82 & 83 520-394-2274 patagoniaumc@ gmail.com Jan. 23: 9 - 11a.m.Recycling Event in (ACA): Methodist Church, Tues, 6p.m. Online on Zoom. Call 315-516- Patagonia Farmers Market: Patagonia Sponsored by Mountain Thursday 10a.m - 1p.m. In front of Empire Rotary. Electronics and scrap 5998. St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Red Mountain Foods 222 Third Ave., metal. Behind the Post Office. (This is Church Patagonia In Person Service re- not for regular household items.) For CHOP (Community Homes of Flea Market at Heart of Gold sumed. Call for time & schedule a list of approved items visit https:// Patagonia, Inc.): Board meeting 3rd. Mon. at 5:30p.m. in Town Council Antiques: First Sat of every month. 520-394-2954 suburbanminers.com/ (At the bottom, 10a.m. - 2p.m. Free to set up. Call click on “What We Recycle” Room. 520-394-0199 for any additional Sonoita Hills Community Church information. 52 Elgin Rd., Elgin Sunday Jan. 23: 9 - 11a.m. Glass Recycling Patagonia Town Council: 2nd & 4th Service: 10a.m. Event in Patagonia Sponsored by Wed.7p.m. in Town Council Room. East SCC Community Food Bank: Recycling Task Force. Behind the Post Public Discouraged to attend but not Every Monday from 10:30a.m. - 3174 N. Hwy Office. Only Glass. No other recycla- barred. 11:30a.m. Distribution of fresh vege- Sonoita Bible Church 83, Sunday Service: 10:30a.m. bles will be accepted. tables at the senior Center in Patago- Rotary Club: 2nd & 4th Thurs. nia through vegetable season. Youth Group: 2nd & 4th Wed. Jan 23: 10:30a.m. - Annual Meet- 5:30p.m. has moved online. Info: Sue VINE Christian Church 3107 Hwy ing of the Patagonia Museum on 520-990-4648. Sonoita Produce on Wheels: every 83, Sonoita Sunday Service: 10a.m the grounds of museum facility, 100 3rd Saturday of the month, 8a.m. - 11a.m. VINE Church (previously Cafe, 10:30a.m. service School Street. Formal dedication of the Senior Citizens of Patagonia’s Board of Directors: 2nd Mon. 3p.m. at the Harvest Christian) Contact Gardenia suffrage plaque. Dr. Mary Melcher will for more info 602-292-6161. speak on the suffrage movement. Senior Center. Senior Center Dining St. Andrews Episcopal Church Hall is closed. 969 W. County Club Dr. Nogales Patagonia Museum: Open Thurs-Sat Services are weekly, however The So AZ Republican Club Meeting: 2-4p.m. Info: www.thepatagoniamu- times changes frequently. Visit 6:30p.m. every 3rd Thursday of the seum.org. standrewsaz.org for additional Email month, Sonoita Bible Church. All are info. [email protected] welcome. Crossroads Quilters: No meetings until further notice. Info: 520-860- Quaker Worship Group, with any event The Santa Cruz County Democratic 0173. Meets via Zoom. Contact Janice Party Meeting: every 3rd Sat. of the Pulliam if interested updates you would : Sat & Sun, PUHS at month, 9:30a.m. has moved online. Open Tennis 706-614-6959 like listed. 6a.m. - 5p.m. Info: 520-394-2973. Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Community Youth Bible Hang Out: Drumming Circle: Every Tues. 6p.m. at the Sonoita Bible Church. 2nd Church 12 Los Encinos Rd., Social distance is practiced. Located Sonoita 520-394-2954 Sat and 4th Wed. April Anderson at in Central Park in Patagonia. All are [email protected], 520-508-2502 or 10:30a.m. 5:30p.m. Sunday Mass: welcome. Weather permitting. Call 8a.m. Steve Lindsey at 520-559-0155. Lori 520-490-4991 for info.

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HELP WANTED

ARE YOU A COMPASSIONATE AND QUALIFIED CAREGIVER AND LOOKING FOR WORK? Please contact Patagonia Assisted Care Agency 520-604-8179 or fill out an application online at www.carepatagonia.com BORDERLANDS RESTORATION IS SEEKING A VOLUNTEER To help plant sale events and opportunities. Email [email protected] if interested

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN RESEARCHING MYSTERY AND FASCINATING STORIES? Writers wanted part-time to delve into true mystery - If this is a passion for you, the work will be fun. Call David. 520.303.1475

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Mon: 7:00pm to 8:00pm: eTown repeat of Saturday’s show. Tues: 10:00am to 12:00pm: World Jazz with Mark Berg 7:00pm to 9:00pm: Jazz and Blues with Fred Hansen Wed: Wednesday, 3pm: Jackson’s 10 Songs 520.281.1550 7:00pm to 10pm: Sean Alexander show Thurs: 7:00pm to 10:00pm: Possibility Explorers. “Celebrating the Evening of Mushkil Gusha, the AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION

Remover of All Difficulties.” Hosted by Graves Fri: 7:00pm to 9:00pm: Hook’s Sunken Roadhouse Sat: 12:00pm to 1:00pm: eTown - “Educate, entertain and inspire listeners through music and conversation” Sun: 10:00am: Patagonia Community United Methodist Church service 6:00pm to 8:00pm: Acoustic Café “Today’s great songwriting talents. A bit of country, rock, blues, folk, pop” 8:00pm to 10:00pm: Folk Alley “Folk Music Radio from WKSU-FM in Kent, OH” Bud is a 5 year old male Husky/Rotti Daily Shows: Dawn is a 3 month old DSH black with a heart of gold. He is loving, Swing Hour: 5:00pm to 6:00pm. female kitten. She is very playful and playful and gets along great with loves everyone she meets. Best of the Oldies: 1:00pm to 2:00am. everyone! Feature Story News (FSN.com) Mon – Fri. 8 am., 12pm and 6pm., Sat. 8am & 6pm., Sun. at 8am. Santa Cruz Humane Society Patagonia Weather Forecast: Every odd hour. 232 E. Patagonia Hwy (Rt. 82) Nogales, AZ 85621 (520) 287-5654 PAGE 23 PATAGONIA REGIONAL TIMES JANUARY 2021 $699,000 SALE PENDING $825,000

CROWN C MOUNTAIN VIEW ESTATE ELGIN RANCH ON 216 ACRES CROWN C EQUESTRIAN ESTATE MLS # 21930138 44+ ACRES MLS # 21931746 SPECTACULAR VIEWS MLS # 21902969 62.93 ACRES Privacy with WOW views. 5475 with 2 living units. Sun- 5670 sf, luxuriously remodeled. Land is dividable. Grazing COMPLETELY REMODELED! Rammed earth construction. room, bonus room, courtyard, garage, loads of storage. lease. No HOA. Direct access to Natl Forest. Great for Updated kitchen & baths, hardwood floors, new AC. Barn 3Bd/3Ba. Private well. JEAN MILLER 502 508-3335 horses or vineyard. $1,395,000 JEAN MILLER 520 508-3335 w/14 stalls. Wine cave. BARBARA HARRIS 602 826-4026

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PRISTINE CASAS ARROYO HOME 404 SHEARD, PATAGONIA BRAND NEW HOME IN PATAGONIA MLS # 22024955 BUILT IN 2006 MLS # 22026990 OWNER FINANCING 145 ROADRUNNER LANE ON LARGE LOT Lovely 3Bd/2Ba 2024 sf home with greenbelt on 3 sides. Great Location! Only steps from everything in Patagonia. 3Bd/2Ba, Great Room, split floor plan. 2 car garage. No Community pool, oak studded land. Beehive fireplace, 3Bd/2Ba, 1232 sf. Open family room, MB with patio over- flood insurance. Lovely views of Red Mtn. Close to town. granite counters. CHERYL VOLK 520 975-7271 looking Sonoita Creek. BARBARA HARRIS 602 826-4026 Ready for the holidays. JEAN MILLER 520 508-3335

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NEW CUSTOM HOME IN PATAGONIA PATAGONIA COTTAGE BY THE CREEK CUSTOM HOME IN ELGIN WINE COUNTRY MLS # 22019085 149 ROADRUNNER LANE MLS # 22026978 403 SHEARD AVE. MLS # 22026284 8.69 ACRES Double lot, out of the floodplain with views of Red Mtn. A Birder’s dream! Cute 1Bd/2Ba, den or possible 2nd bed- Built in 2003, 3694 sf in total. 3Bd/3Ba, wood ceilings, 2Bd/2Ba, split floor plan, island kitchen, granite counters, room. Wheelchair accessible. Shed, carport, quick walk granite counters. Game room w/bar. Guest house, barn, high ceilings, 2 car garage. JEAN MILLER 520 508-3335 to everything in town. SAMANTHA SHORE 602-743-7833 pond w/windmill, solar. LARRY DEMUN 520 732-9179

PATAGONIA: 327 McKeown Ave., next to Gathering Grounds 520-394-2120 Jean Miller Carol Ford Co-Owner, General Manager Co-Owner, Designated Broker

SONOITA: Corner of Hwys 82 & 83, next to Post Office 520-455-5235 Direct 520-508-3335 Direct 520-604-0162 www.buysonoita.com [email protected] [email protected]

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