Discover Greenlee Newsletter | March 2026

March 2026 | Issue 48

For inclusion in next month’s newsletter, send events to margaret@margaretdillard.netPlease send complete info: name of event, where and when it will be held, brief description (or send a PDF of your flyer), contact information giving readers need more details, AND sponsoring organization if there is one.

March rolls in strong and busy~!

If you ever wonder about what is happening in the Seven County Region known as the Magnificent Seven (Catron, Grant, Hidalgo in NM – Cochise, Graham, Apache & Greenlee in Az) just follow the blitz of posts on our Facebook page!

Better, go to our website and get involved in the 5-year event planning calendar.

First of all kudo’s and heartfelt thanks to Karen Frey for her leadership over the past several months of the Greenlee Tourism Association. Her faithful stewardship guided us through some challenges with grace and charm. Thank you.

Next, I truly hope many of you enjoyed the three day 12th annual Colors of Copper Art Show & Wine Tasting event. It was fabulous! Best artists, terrific entertainment, food choices so good the vendors ran out – it was outstanding. Congratulations to the Art Depot Board and Pam Harrington in particular.

The term ‘rock the cradle’ certainly seems appropriate right about now, as we plunge into March with back-to-back events, outdoor activities and an appeal to all organizations to help maintain the Event Calendar. Your event, activity, fundraiser is important and we all want your ‘day’ to be successful.

You can integrate your Google calendar into the Event Calendar so people, visitors, guests and other travelers can see what they can expect once they get inside this wondrous Magnificent Seven Region!

Locally, March brings out open air vendor events an indoor activities spring to life! Wednesdays at the Clifton Social Club is the place to be for lunch, Wens-Saturday the Clifton Hotel Bat offers pool tournaments every evening, then there is the Morenci Market every other Thursday, Thursday evenings find us at the Queen of Hearts at the American Legion, Friday March 6 is the Grand Opening of the new Ballpark in Duncan, Saturday reveals the First Saturday vendor Fair at The Clifton Bakery, and the Fundraiser for the Ringer Family being sponsored by the Copper Cloud Quick Fix (next door to NAPA), Sundays you can count on the Clifton Visitor Center being open – where visitors become friends.

Our annual St Patty’s Day FunFest this year is on Saturday March 14th at Fernandez Park in Clifton. A private river clean up is also scheduled for that same day. The America 250/AZ mobile museum arrives on Tuesday the 17th will an all day interactive activity in the parking lot of the American Legion on Wednesday the 18th. Lots of chances for photo-ops with the full-sized replica of the Liberty Bell. There will be a opening flag ceremony by the American Legion Color Guard, food, and other activities and special guests throughout the day.

“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.” Irish blessing

I hope to see you all soon ~!

Akos Kovach, Chair, Greenlee Tourism Association

2026 Event Opportunities

St Patrick’s FunFest: March 14th. Big Quack Duck Race: June 13th. Get ducks with sponsorship!

Get Ducks Now!

Ducks are on sale! Buy one for $10, three for $25, seven for $50, or fifteen for $100!

The MarketPlace is Open!

Businesses in Greenlee and surrounding counties can have their own store in the MarketPlace!

Project Centrl is recruiting for its next class!

Hi, Akos,

Heather Floyd

Reminder: The deadline for Class 35 applications is March 15, 2026.

Greetings,

Just a few days remain to submit your application for Project CENTRL Class 35! The application is open for individuals who live, work in, or represent rural Arizona. Frequently described by graduates as transformative and life-changing, Project CENTRL offers participants a rare opportunity to gain deeper insight into themselves, connect with fellow rural Arizonans, and better understand the complex issues shaping our state.

One example of Project CENTRL’s impact is Mikayla Baker, Class 33. When she entered the program, Mikayla was working at the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, focused on regulatory programs affecting rural communities and agriculture. She joined Project CENTRL hoping to better understand how to bridge the gap between state government and rural Arizona, but she did not expect CENTRL to reshape her career path.

Midway through the program, Mikayla transitioned into a new role as Government Affairs Manager for Pano AI, an artificial intelligence–powered wildfire detection company supporting communities facing increasing wildfire risk. The leadership, policy, and relationship-building skills she developed through Project CENTRL immediately translated to her new position.

Today, Mikayla regularly communicates complex issues to rural stakeholders, agency leaders, and elected officials. She has testified at legislative hearings in multiple states and presented to representatives from more than 20 states nationwide on the role of advanced wildfire detection technology in mitigation and response efforts. Project CENTRL strengthened her confidence, sharpened her ability to navigate cross-sector conversations, and reinforced the importance of centering rural voices in policy discussions. Mikayla shared she is “deeply grateful for the program’s role in her professional growth, and for the continued relationships that challenge and inspire her to lead with purpose.”

Are you ready to take the next step and see what CENTRL could do for you?

Applications are open at www.centrl.org/apply and deadline is March 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Additional materials required to submit a complete application include: two recommendations and employer approval; details are available on the website.

CENTRL’s tuition-free, year-long leadership experience brings together a cohort of 16 individuals who travel across seven Arizona counties, Sonora, Mexico, Washington, D.C., and Gettysburg, PA. Participants build leadership skills, explore rural and agricultural issues through hands-on experiences, and engage directly with leaders and experts across sectors. Thanks to the generous support of the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, agricultural companies, family foundations, and individual donors, this unparalleled opportunity is offered at no cost to participants.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Scott, Tracey and Niki

Weekly Pool Tournament

Greenlee Tourism St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

Queen of Hearts at The American Legion

Duncan Little League Grand Opening

Clifton Bakery Marketplace

Hamburger & Hotdog Fundraiser

St. David Monastery Festival

St. Patrick’s Celebration

Tombstone Wild West Days

America250 AZ Traveling Museum

Skate Park Grand Opening

Bataan Memorial Death March Virtual Event

Easter Party & Egg Hunt for Special Needs Children

Duncan Fire Car Seat Safety Day

@ 3545 Hwy. 60 | Quemado, NM

@ Sarah’s Bull Pen | Safford, AZ

See details here.

@ Duncan JH School Gym, Duncan, AZ

See details here.

Clifton, AZ

Morenci, AZ

Register at morenci.recdesk.com See details here.

Greenlee Tourism Association

PO Box 342

85533, Clifton