Welcome to issue #8 of Trail Mix, a weekly newsletter about the people, places, history, and happenings in Southeastern Arizona.

How are you feeling today?

It's my hope that these weekly newsletters are relaxing, refreshing, and renewing. I'm glad you're here. Let's get into it!

Vail Coffee Stop

Teachers! Stop by Vail Coffee Stop today (September 11) and tomorrow (September 12) and save 25% off your drinks. Not a teacher? You can still save 10% every day through November with your Trail Mix passport, including this Saturday at the Second Saturday Vendor Fair!

The homeschooling year has been off to a strong start in one local co-op!

You hear a lot about what kids are doing in the public school system, but what about the homeschoolers in our community? One co-op is gearing up to bring their hard work in their co-op and at home to the community.

Meet the kids of Homeschool Underground, a local co-op focused on faith, freedom, and fellowship.

The co-op year for Homeschool Underground kicked off in mid-August when students started to brainstorm a business idea they would bring to life. Each week, the co-op met to learn about branding, cost analysis, and marketing collectively.

• They worked hard to understand the psychology behind their logos, recognizing the social studies behind the imagery and that it's more than just a cute picture.
• They navigated spreadsheets and complex equations, bringing math into a real-life scenario they could get excited about.
• They asked their parents to invest in their business.
• They worked to write all their copy in a way that was fun and engaging
• They collectively put together a marketing video to help tell their story.

Now, you can show your support for their hard work by joining them on September 20 at the Rustic Roots Farmers Market at the Tractor Supply in Rita Ranch. Bring your family, and give these kids encouragement and kudos for their hard work!

This month's Second Saturday Vendor Event happens this weekend! Bring your Trail Mix passport to get 10% off your order at Vail Coffee Stop, 10% off products from Raising Four Arrows, and 15% off your lunch from Winston Brothers BBQ! Don't forget diapers to donate to the Vail ReSources and Vail School District Diaper Drive.

After your trip to Second Saturdays, head to Acacia Elementary School for the 4th Annual Constitution Day Celebration from 10 AM to 1 PM. Enjoy a speech by Jeff Utsch, a Revolutionary Era costume parade, live music, games, booths, more vendors, and a special flyover. This is a free community event!

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project, a job opening, or just want to shout out one of your neighbors? Trail Mix has you covered.

François (#A872138)

Weight: I weigh approximately 53.80 lbs.

Age: The shelter staff thinks I am about 2 years and 4 months old.

Francois has been at the shelter since May 30, 2025, and is ready for adoption! This handsome boy is a staff and volunteer favorite. He is a happy, energetic, responsive, good walker-on-the-leash boy. He knows to sit and shake hands, and loves, loves, loves to catch treats.

Elf (#A857753)

Weight: I weigh approximately 60.50 lbs.

Age: The shelter staff thinks I am about 5 years old.

Elf has been at the shelter since December 05, 2024, and is ready to go home today! Elf is very affectionate and friendly! He has been calm, easy to leash, and eager to go on walks. He also knows sit. He loves to play with his kennelmate (and he’s had several).

Tucker (#A880188)

Weight: I weigh approximately 120.00 lbs.

Age: The shelter staff thinks I am about 11 years old.

Tucker has been at the shelter since September 03, 2025, and is ready to go home today! Tucker here needs some help losing weight. He also needs a future surgery which PACC can provide if someone can foster him and help him recover in a quieter place than a kennel.

Bubby (#A878626)

Weight: I weigh approximately 9.36 lbs.

Age: The shelter staff thinks I am about 15 years old.

Bubby has been at the shelter since September 04, 2025, and is ready to go home today! He is a neutered male, blue and white Domestic Shorthair. Bubby has had experience with dogs and other cats. He’s affectionate and talkative. He really loves to be brushed.

Contact: Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N. Silverbell Rd., 520-724-5900. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 12 pm - 7 pm. Wednesday 1:30 pm - 7 pm. Saturday and Sunday 10 am - 5 pm

Local art. local support.

Looking to change up your artwork on your walls? Head to the Ranch House Gallery at Agua Caliente Park now through October 5 to check out Terri Gay's watercolor.

Terri Gay was inspired by her 815-mile trek along the Arizona Trail. During her six-year journey of hiking various sections of the Arizona Trail, Gay captured scenes in watercolor while battling wind, bugs, sun, and time limits. Most of the paintings were done in a single sitting, while others were done in a studio using field sketches.

When you buy a piece of her work, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Arizona Trail Association.

• WHEN: August 27 – October 5, 2025
• WHERE: Ranch House Gallery at Agua Caliente Park (12325 E. Roger Rd., Tucson, AZ)
• DETAILS: Gallery Hours are Wednesday – Sunday from 9 am – 1 pm

September 11

• It's Babytime! Storytime for Babies | Murphy-Wilmot Library
• Community Meeting: Crafting Resilience: Learning to Hand Sew | W. Anne Gibson-Esmond Station Library | 5 PM - 7 PM

September 12

• Our Vibrant Pollinators For Kids | W. Anne Gibson-Esmond Station Library | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
• Preschool Storytime | Murphy-Wilmot Library | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
• A Day with Bluey | Park Place Mall Center Court | 4 PM - 5 PM
• Santa Cruz County Fair | Sonoita Fairgrounds | 11 AM to 6 PM (Note: Free Entry until Noon. Carnival open from 9 AM to Noon and 5 PM to 9 PM)

September 13

• Second Saturdays Between the Tracks | Bring diapers for the Diaper Drive | 7 AM - Noon
• Santa Cruzy County Fair | 11 AM to 6 PM
• Vail Family Connections Day | Mica Mountain High School | 9 AM to 1 PM
• Apple Annie's Taste of Fall | Apple Annie's Orchard | 9 AM - 4:30 PM
• Free Succuluent Saturday | Four Arrows Garden | 9 AM - 2 PM
• Mr. Nature's Birthday Food Drive | Get stickers for every can donated! Second Sky — 4141 E. Irvington Rd | 9 AM - 11 AM
• 4th Annual Constitution Day Celebration | Acacia Elementary School | 10 AM - 1 PM
• The Great Crush Festival | Stomp grapes, sip wine, enjoy live music | AZ Hops and Vines | 11 AM - 5 PM
• Hispanic Heritage Festival | Willcox Historic Railroad Park | 11 AM - 6 PM
• Artist's Reception | Ranch House Gallery at Agua Caliente Park | 11 AM - 12:30 PM
• Live Music: John and Jeanne Ronstadt | Charron Vineyards and Winery | 2 PM - 4 PM
• Sonoita Smash | Sonoita Fairgrounds | 7 PM

September 14

• Apple Annie's Taste of Fall | Apple Annie's Orchard | 9 AM - 4:30 PM
• Santa Cruz County Fair | Sonoita Fairgrounds | 11 AM to 6 PM (Note: Carnival open Noon to 5 PM)
• Second Sunday Yoga (Buy One Class, Get One Free) | Charron Vineyards and Winery | 11 AM - 12 PM
• Live Music: Corey Spector | Charron Vineyards and Winery | 2 PM - 4 PM

September 16

• Family Storytime | W. Anne Gibson-Esmond Station Library | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
• LEGO Club | Murphy-Wilmot Library | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

September 17

• It's Babytime! Storytime for Babies | W. Anne Gibson-Esmond Station Library | 10 AM - 11 AM
• Toddler Storytime | Murphy-Wilmot Library | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Want to add your upcoming event to the Trail Mix calendar? It's free right here. ⤵️

Pumpkin pie chex mix

​By Betty Crocker​

• 2 cups Honey Nut Chex cereal
• 2 cups Cinnamon Chex cereal
• 2 cups Wheat Chex
• 8 oz pecans
• 1/4 melted butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Heat butter, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice in a microwave-safe dish.

Stir in vanilla

Pour batter over the rest of the ingredients.

Spread on wax paper to cool.

Mix and store!

Sunrise: 6:04 AM

Sunset: 6:33 PM

Air Quality: Fair (28 AQI)

Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous

See you out there!

~ Kimberly
​Publisher, Arizona Trail Mix
Southern Arizona's Unofficial Hype Woman

​

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Ready to shout your business name from the Vail, Benson, and Sonoita rooftops? Have a fun event to share and want to attach your flyer to the Mix? Have a home you want to show off in the Home on the Range section? Selling something big like an RV or piece of land? Want to share your Airbnb? This is the spot to do it!