By Rose Chavez | PREVIEW Columnist
Mather has a noteworthy schedule of virtual programs planned for July, with new music offerings that include a discussion series on music appreciation and — for those who enjoy singing with others— Thursday afternoon virtual community singing, with a different theme every week.
These are just a few of the free online programs offered in July. Choose topics that best support your unique wellness journey, and sign up to try something new. Here are some ideas:
• Connect with your body and breath in “Mindful Chair Yoga.”
• Sign up for an early morning or evening guided meditation class.
• Brush up on your tech skills in one of our digital literacy classes.
• Sharpen your cognitive skills in “Boost Your Brain & Memory,” anew series starting July 11.
Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/o/mather-41382754623 to browse programs on aromatherapy, creative art-making, multiple areas of mindfulness and more. All are free, but advance registration is needed.
Questions? Contact Mather at (888) 600-2560 or contact@mather.com.
Spanish Fiesta
set for July 29
You are invited to the 21st annual Spanish Fiesta, sponsored by Archuleta Seniors Inc. (ASI). The theme is “Viva la familia, cultura y tradición!”
Enjoy the Spanish Fiesta in Pagosa Springs, where Spanish, Mexican and Native American cultural traditions intertwine to create the strong heritage we have today here in Southwest Colorado. Food, music, dance, vendors, color and good company provide the ingredients for a party to delight all the senses.
This year is the 21st anniversary of the Spanish Fiesta in Pagosa Springs after being dormant for some 20 years. The Spanish Fiesta Committee (formed by the families and royalty of fiestas of years past) has worked hard to make this first year back memorable.
The headliner for the day’s activities will be the famous New Mexican artist Al Hurricane Jr. and his band during the evening at the Archuleta County Fairgrounds. Hurricane is generously giving his own time to benefit the fundraiser.
Activities begin at 3 p.m., so come earlier to get your seat and enjoy authentic Hispanic cuisine of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico plus a variety of other food trucks, artisan vendors, music from local band Los Mitotitos, and folklorico dance performances from local artists.
While there will be no royalty during this first event, we look forward to engaging the community and youth to support the fiestas in this capacity once again. Proceeds from this event will support older adults of Archuleta County through the services of ASI and a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) youth scholarship fund.
Admission is for an afternoon and evening from 3 to 8 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit https://givebutter.com/asispanishfiesta2023 or stop by the Pagosa Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, Choke Cherry Tree or the Pagosa Senior Center, located in the Ross Aragon Community Center.
Interested in being a sponsor or vendor? Please visit http://www.psseniors.org/events-and-fundraisers.html for more information or call (970) 264-2167.
Senior Conversations
Join us Wednesdays at 1:15 p.m. for a series of Senior Conversations with local Bill Salmansohn. He will lead the group through mindfulness exercises and discussion of various topics pertaining to aging in Archuleta County. Explore and discover for yourself answers to your questions and concerns.
The meeting will be held at the Senior Center in the dining hall. Snacks will be provided.
Share lunch Monday through Thursday
Join us at the Silver Fox’s Den, aka the Community Cafe, in person for daily hot/cold meals Mondays through Thursdays downtown at the Ross Aragon Community Center between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. It is open to all. Pickup is available all week, including Fridays.
Our dining hall is open to all ages and welcomes you all with kindness and warmth. We provide hot/cold meals for anyone in the community interested in a nutritious and delicious meal. For those 60 or older we request a suggested donation of $10, but no one will be turned away. There is a $10 charge for guests under the age of 60.
Meals include a main course, side dish, fruit/dessert, garden salad plus beverage. Some popular menu items include Frito chili pie, pork tenderloin with harvest chutney, Singaporean pork ribs, vegetarian lasagna, Hawaiian shrimp with coconut rice and always a beautiful green salad. Many of our items are locally sourced and organic.
Our chef works with a team of local food professionals to hand-prepare your meal for dine-in service in our cozy dining room (with an amazing view of the San Juans) or for takeout (via our convenient drive-through). Our menu changes daily.
To reserve your meal for the day, please make your reservation via text or phone call to (970) 264-2167 by 9 a.m. weekdays.
Community Cafe menu
Thursday, July 6 — Tuna salad on croissant, broccoli salad, garden salad, vanilla pudding, fruit and milk.
Friday, July 7 — Greek pizza with mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, wilted spinach and onions; baklava; garden salad; fruit; and milk.
Monday, July 10 -— Beef tacos on flour tortillas, refried beans with cheese, garden salad with avocado, salsa, sour cream, fruit and milk.
Tuesday, July 11 — Chicken and broccoli crepes, cauliflower medley, garden salad, fruit, milk and blueberry cake.
Wednesday, July 12 — Barbecue country ribs, sweet corn, garden salad, fruit, milk and peach cobbler.
Thursday, July 13 — Butternut squash ravioli and brown butter herb sauce, wilted spinach and red onion, garden salad, fruit, banana bread and milk.
Friday, July 14 --— Seafood chowder with oyster crackers, glazed carrots, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Grab-N-Go meals
Dine-in and Grab-N-Go meal reservations and cancellations are required. Please call or text by 9 a.m. the morning of the day you want to pick up a meal. A suggested donation of $10 helps to sustain our program. No one will be turned away for their inability to donate. For ages 59 and younger, the cost is $10 also. Please call or text us at (970) 264-2167 to make a reservation.
Meals on Wheels
We deliver fresh Meals on Wheels five days a week (and provide frozen Meals on Wheels for weekends) to homebound Archuleta County residents. Call or text us at (970) 264-2167.
COVID-19 test
kits available
Stop by the Senior Center to pick up a pack of six free COVID-19 tests kits for your personal use. These kits are available to anyone in the public who needs affordable access for health promotion and disease prevention.
Mahjong
Mahjong is a 19th century Chinese tile-based game that is commonly played with four players. Each player receives 13 tiles with a goal to make matching sets and pairs (like poker). To win, a player must form four sets and one pair.
Come to the Senior Center to learn or play every Tuesday at 1:15 p.m.
Medicare call by
appointment
For anyone who needs help enrolling and navigating Medicare plans, the San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging helps with parts A, B and D. They can also help you with fraud concerns and troubleshooting any billing issues you may be having. By appointment only. Please call the Medicare line at (970) 264-0501, ext 4.
Bridge
The longest-played bridge game in Archuleta County takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:15 p.m.
Bridge is a four-player card game with partners sitting opposite each other around a table. It is a trick-taking card game using a standard 52-card deck. Come alone or bring a partner.
Requesting donations
ASI has an immediate monetary need to support ongoing operations and programming that provide critical services to some of the most vulnerable in Archuleta County. Please consider donating.
You may mail your donation to P.O. Box 3444, Pagosa Springs CO 81147 or please visit our website: http://www.psseniors.org/. Donation checks can be written to: Archuleta Seniors Inc. We are located at 451 Hot Springs Blvd.
