November 2026 | Issue 56
For inclusion in next month’s newsletter, send events to visitgreenlee@gmail.com. Please 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.
The good, the better and best
by Akos Kovach | GTA Chair
November offers all of us a chance to ‘do better’, to ‘be better’. It sounds simple because it is:
- Organizations like the Greenlee County Chamber of Commerce work very hard to plan and put in place events such as this coming Nov 7th Holly Jolly Christmas Bazaar. ‘Tis the season to be shopping, fa la la la la la la la!’. The location is the American Legion Clifton Az Post 28. Plenty of off-street parking plus amenities most vendor events do not offer, such as being indoors.
- It is also the beginning of the ‘season of giving’. Numerous fundraising events are happening or will happen as showcased in our Calendar of Events found at our website www.visitgreenleecounty.com and in this issue of Discover Greenlee.
- The American Legion is also in the spotlight on November the 11th – as they do every year on Veteran’s Day, offering a free feast for all veteran’s and their families, specials flag ceremonies and entertainment.
- Mid November brings a chance for racers and want-to-be-racers to sign up online for the 2027 Clifton Hill Climb. The Arizona Chapter of the Sports Car Club of America is once again sanctioning the race, providing the necessary insurance, and for the first time bringing a new twist – a street legal division. Street legal cars will be allowed to participate in the upcoming April 16-17-18, 2027 race weekend!
- Generally the weather in our area is pretty calm, with temps averaging in the high 60’s and low 70’s, Clifton’s Fall Fiesta is also just around the corner, get ready for amazing food vendors, special entertainment and a full day of family fun on Nov 21st at the Riverside Park in North Clifton starting at 11am and wrapping up at 7pm.
- Local churches, fire departments, Lions Club, Greenlee County Health Dept. and others, all help each other to deliver full Thanksgiving meals to affected families in need. Watch for announcements.
Did we miss anything? Please let us know so we can help promote your event, fundraiser, etc. Until next time, we send our best wishes to each of you for a peaceful, productive and prosperous Thanksgiving month.
With kindest regards, Akos Kovach, Chair, Greenlee Tourism Association.
📅 Magnificent Seven Events Calendar
Check out what’s happening! The Magnificent Seven Plus 1 Calendar seeks to include community events from Cochise, Graham, Apache, and Greenlee in Arizona, plus Catron, Grant, Luna, and Hidalgo Counties in New Mexico.From community gatherings to outdoor adventures, there’s always something exciting on the calendar. December’s events below are included on our Community Calendar. Click and you will be able to see events in several convenient formats. You’ll also be able to print and share the calendar or add events to your personal online calendar.
Chiricahua Becomes America’s 64th National Park
Southeastern Arizona has a new national park. On October 20, President Trump signed the Chiricahua National Park Act, which converts Chiricahua National Monument into Chiricahua National Park. It is the 64th national park in the country, the first new one in six years, and Arizona’s fourth. Rep. Juan Ciscomani sponsored the bill, which passed Congress with bipartisan support in late September.
Known as the “Wonderland of Rocks,” the park sits in the Chiricahua Mountains about 36 miles south of Willcox, roughly 120 miles east of Tucson. The monument drew about 70,000 visitors last year, and officials expect the new designation to bring more. Plans include new signs with the park’s name, new water systems and other maintenance.
For travelers exploring our region, it’s a worthwhile stop on a loop through Cochise, Graham and Greenlee counties.
Source: KOLD News, October 21, 2026.
ARIZONAPit Fire Pottery Festival
Friday, November 6 | 3:00 – 9:00 PM
Cochise College Douglas Campus, 4190 W Highway 80, Douglas
Free family festival. Student-made bowls with soup and bread ($15 donation), mariachi and folklorico dancers, pit lighting, country music by Dustoff, and stargazing. Nonperishable donations welcome for the Cochise Cupboard Food Pantry. More at cochise.edu/pitfirefestival.
Sidepony Express Music Festival
Fri-Sun, November 13-15
Bisbee, AZ (multiple venues, including The Shady Dell)
Three days of live music across Bisbee venues, listed as a free showcase at The Shady Dell. See theshadydell.com for schedules.
Burrito Fundraiser – St. Rose of Lima Youth Group
Friday, November 6 | 10:30 AM until sold out
St. Rose of Lima Church Hall
St. Rose of Lima High School Youth Group fundraiser. Green Chili Burrito $7, Mixed Burrito $7, Bean Burrito $6. Thank you for supporting our Youth Group!
Fundraiser for Aaren Foster
Wednesday, November 11 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Pickup: 1265 19th Street, Safford
Aaren is battling leukemia. Red or green chile meat burritos and chile relleno burritos, $6 each; red or green chile meat plates, $10.
Desert Cat Rescue Spaghetti & Meatball Dinner
Thursday, November 19 | 4:30 – 7:30 PM (take-out only)
VFW, 3481 W 8th St, Thatcher
$14 per plate: spaghetti and two meatballs, salad, bread, dessert, and a soda or water. Email desertcatrescue@gmail.com for tickets or see any board member. Benefits the Desert Cat Rescue spay/neuter community voucher program. Desserts donated by Safeway.
Holly Jolly Christmas Bazaar
Saturday, November 7 | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
American Legion Post 28, Clifton
Hosted by the Greenlee County Chamber of Commerce, indoors with plenty of off-street parking. Vendors wanted: crafts, shop local, support small, food and art; food trucks encouraged. To sign up, contact Dawna 928-322-2369 or JoJo 928-202-0857.
Veteran Mile
Wednesday, November 11 | 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Morenci, AZ
A workout to honor our veterans and support mental health: 1-mile run, 50 burpees, 100 squats, 1-mile run. All fitness levels welcome. Sign up at morenciredesk.com. Questions? Email rray3@fmi.com.
Veterans Day at American Legion Post 28
Wednesday, November 11 | See Post 28 for times
American Legion Post 28, Clifton
A free feast for all veterans and their families, special flag ceremonies, and entertainment.
Adopt a Street Light! – Pearls & Tinsel Holiday Decorating
Reserve by Sunday, November 15
Presented by the Clifton Social Club
Help bring sparkle and holiday cheer to our streets, one street light at a time! Individuals, families, businesses, and community groups are welcome. To reserve yours, contact Novia Tomlin (928) 651-5944, Maya Martinez (928) 322-7626, or Porfie Anzaldua (928) 322-4527.
Greenlee Jr Rodeo Series Awards Dinner
Friday, November 20 | See event posting for time
Duncan Elementary School Cafeteria
Year-end awards dinner for the Greenlee Jr Rodeo Series (GJRS).
Clifton Fall Fiesta
Saturday, November 21 | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Riverside Park, North Clifton
Fall food festival with food vendors, entertainment (Color Guard, Mariachi music, DJ Tudi), kids activities and s’mores, and local artist/merchant booths with awards for participation. Hosted by the Town of Clifton. Vendors: peddler’s license $15 (valid Nov 21 – Dec 5), booth space $25. Sign up at Town Hall or call (928) 865-4146.
NEW MEXICO
3rd Annual Tamale Festival Switch Tournament
Saturday, November 7 | Registration 9:00 AM; bags fly 10:00 AM
Old Fort Bayard Theater
Cornhole “switch” tournament: 4 round robins, then double elimination, plus mini games. $20 registration fee, 90% payouts to top teams. Contact Dominik at 575-202-5123.
The Hearth Holiday Faire & Flea Market
Saturday, November 14 | Market 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (vendor setup 7:00-8:45 AM, takedown by 4:00 PM)
The Hearth parking lot, 1915 N. Swan St., Silver City
Holiday-themed craft and flea market – artists, makers, vintage/flea market sellers, crafts, gifts, community vendors. Outdoor spaces (10’x12′) $30, indoor spaces (10’x10′) $50. Vendor application and payment due Nov 6. Contact: (575) 519-4017 or hearthnm@gmail.com.
Veterans Appreciation Breakfast – Lordsburg Elks Lodge #1813
Wednesday, November 11 | 7:00 – 9:00 AM
Lordsburg Elks Lodge #1813
A complimentary breakfast honoring veterans and their spouses; community members are welcome, too! Eggs, bacon, pancakes, biscuits & gravy, coffee, juice and water. Optional donations support the Elks Veterans Program.
Rodeo Community Association Craft Fair
Saturday, November 14 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Rodeo, NM Community Center, 16 Hickory St, Rodeo
Craft fair hosted by the Rodeo Community Association. Vendors wanted, $20/table, tables and chairs supplied. RSVP 575-557-2202.
Looking Ahead: December
Pearls & Tinsel – 30th Annual Festival of Lights
Saturday, December 5 | Festivities begin 12:00 PM; parade lights up at 6:30 PM
30th annual Festival of Lights with a lighted parade on historic Chase Creek Street in Clifton – come watch or enter the parade! Hosted by the Clifton Social Club; sponsored by the Greenlee County Chamber of Commerce, Greenlee County Tourism Council, and Town of Clifton.
Willcox Christmas Parade & Holiday Bazaar
Saturday, December 12 | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Annual community Christmas parade and holiday bazaar in Willcox. Details at visitwillcox.az.gov.
9th Annual Christmas Party for Special Needs Children (All Ages)
Friday, December 18 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
American Legion Post #95, 129 3rd Ave, Solomon. Questions or want to donate? Contact event hosts Victor Ornelas (928) 651-1393 or Lisa V. (928) 792-6964. In loving memory of Meria Majmeto Ornelas.
Community Corner: Clifton Hill Climb 2027 – Sign-Up Opens Mid-November
Racers and want-to-be-racers can sign up online in mid-November for the 2027 Clifton Hill Climb, April 16-17-18, 2027. The Arizona Chapter of the Sports Car Club of America is once again sanctioning the race and providing the necessary insurance – and, for the first time, adding a street legal division, so street legal cars can join the race weekend! Find the latest on the Clifton Hill Climb Facebook page.
Community Corner: Veterans Day Meals for Veterans
On Wednesday, November 11, a number of national restaurant chains are offering free breakfast or dinner to veterans – including Denny’s, IHOP, Waffle House, Cracker Barrel, Perkins, Black Bear Diner, Texas Roadhouse, Outback Steakhouse, Huddle House, and Village Inn.
Participating locations only, and proof of service may be required – confirm with your nearest location before visiting. (Closer to home, see the Veterans Day events listed above.)
Weekly Pool Tournaments
Wed-Sat 7:07 PM
Clifton Hotel Bar
Wed 9-ball, Thu Doubles Blind Draw, Fri 8-ball Winner Takes All, Sat 8-ball Tournament, recurring weekly
Third Saturday on Chase Creek Street
Starting 5:00 PM
Chase Creek Street, Clifton
Recurring 3rd Saturday monthly
Historic Chase Creek Street Walking Tour
Self-guided, any time
Chase Creek Street, Clifton
Self-guided historic walking tour of Clifton’s Chase Creek Street district – evergreen, available year-round
What a wonderful place to be
by Akos Kovach
Normally it is difficult to gain agreement on just about any topic, but right now? Here in Greenlee County? Those of us who live, work and recreate here in Greenlee County have even more reasons to stay and attract others to join us.
During the month of October Greenlee County has experienced one weather event after another, with several roads closures and hazardous conditions. First in the Town of Duncan, up (north) towards Sheldon into the Apache Grove area and York. And then it impacted the Town of Clifton where the gentle San Francisco River drained the skies causing mudslides, boulders strewn on streets, streets that ran like little rivers of their own.
The San Francisco River approached flood stage three times in these past two weeks. But despite all that, our communities have pulled together, volunteer support and work, multiple first responder agencies showing how powerful their support and leadership has been through these stressful and hazardous days.
But one of the truly remarkable things besides all the good will and cooperation among volunteers, agencies and government – business continues to go on as usual! Tourists are coming to see the river and the look around while they are here.
With Veteran’s Day (Nov 11 – our American legion Post 28 has big plans) just a few hundred hours from now, the Clifton Fall Fiesta (Nov 21 with entertainment, food, and a superb location) and Thanksgiving (Nov 26) beckoning to us, we have a lot to offer the traveling public. Places to stay, wonderful restaurants, sights to see and plenty of photo ops.
Just yesterday I saw an American Bald Eagle land on a perch near Veteran’s Park, it was quite a sight to see. This is where I invite you to Visit Greenlee County. Bring a camper or stay in one of hotels – and do it soon!!
Looking forward to ‘seeing’ you online but even more importantly, in person when you come to tour our slice of Heaven, Greenlee County, Az.
Akos Kovach, Chair, Greenlee Tourism Association
The MarketPlace is Open!
Businesses in Greenlee and surrounding counties can have their own store in the MarketPlace!
Veterans Crisis Line
If you or someone you know is a veteran in crisis, dial 988 then press 1. Help is available to talk, listen, or reach out. Courtesy of the American Legion
Southeastern Arizona Community Action Program (SEACAP)
Serving Graham & Greenlee County residents with support services. 283 West 5th Street, Safford, AZ. Toll-free: 1-800-293-1144. Phone: (928) 428-4653. Hours: Monday–Thursday, 7:00 AM–6:00 PM
Job Board
Greenlee County Government
Public Works Manager (Roads). Public Works Tech II (Facilities). Health Department – Certified Nursing Assistant and Prevention Specialist. Part-Time Administrative Assistant – Assessor’s Office.
Apply: greenlee.az.gov/jobs | Sheriff’s Office openings: greenlee.az.gov/gcso-jobs
Freeport-McMoRan – Morenci Mine
One of the region’s largest employers, with openings across engineering, operations, maintenance, finance, IT, and retail. Search “Morenci” at jobs.fcx.com
Graham County lists these openings as “open until filled”: Sheriff’s Adult Detention Facility, full- and part-time ($45,808/yr). Sheriff’s Office lateral deputy ($56,112–$58,356). Highway Department, CDL drivers ($51,218–$53,266) and non-CDL ($49,866, paid CDL training offered). On-call Juvenile Detention ($22.02/hr). School Superintendent’s Office, full-time ($40,340).
Details and applications: graham.az.gov/jobs | Questions: HR Director Cindy Norris-Blake, 928-428-8979
Current openings post to the county’s careers portal (JobAps/governmentjobs.com) – titles turn over often, so check the listing directly: governmentjobs.com/careers/cochise
Current openings post to the county’s online job board – check often, positions fill quickly: apachecountyaz.gov/job-postings. Apache County Human Resources, 75 W. Cleveland St., St. Johns, 928-337-7940 (open Mon–Thu). A completed county application is required; resumes alone are not accepted.
Applications and current openings: Hidalgo County Manager’s Office, 305 Pyramid St, Lordsburg, or email Miriam.Jacquez@hidalgocounty.org, 575-542-9428.
Current openings: governmentjobs.com/careers/lunacountynm. Luna County Human Resources, 700 S. Silver Ave., Deming, 575-543-6624.
Grant County posts current openings on its own portal – check regularly: grantcountynm.gov/Jobs.aspx. Catron County: contact the county clerk’s office directly for current openings.
Links
Discover Greenlee Newsletter Archives
Business Association of Chase Creek AZ
LLoyd C Hill Post 28 American Legion | Facebook
Morenci THE REAL UNCENSORED | Facebook
U Know U R From Morenci/Clifton If | Facebook
All Things Greenlee | Facebook
Eastern Arizona Courier | Facebook
Visit Clifton, Arizona Website
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Greenlee Tourism Association
PO Box 342
Clifton, Arizona 85533