By Rose Chavez | PREVIEW Columnist
This week we welcome our new executive director, Rose D. Chavez, to Archuleta Seniors Inc. (ASI).
“I am a home-grown leader, growing up here in Pagosa Springs during the ‘80s and ‘90s and the daughter of Alice Archuleta-Chavez, a longtime native to Archuleta County. My training, education and experience is in nutrition/dietetics, population health and community planning. Growing up, I worked in food service continuing through my college years managing multiple natural foods cooperative kitchens, a few juice bars and delicatessens in Durango, Colo., Denver metro area and Albuquerque, N.M. Food, wellness and community are my passions,” she said.
Please stop by our offices when you come for a delicious meal in the Community Cafe and say hello, welcome Rose and share your ideas for the future of the Pagosa Senior Center.
Community Cafe open Mondays, Wednesdays
The Community Cafe is now open to the public every Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. If dining in, please be prepared to show your vaccination cards. (If you have COVID-19, have been exposed or are exhibiting any symptoms, please stay home.)
We always offer Grab-n-Go meals Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at our convenient drive-thru. Our meals are available to all ages by reservation; call or text us at (970) 264-2167 by 9 a.m.
We would also like to give a shout out to Cynthia Sperry, our new lead chef who oversees the Community Cafe.
She moved to Pagosa Country in 2016 from southern California. She has a background in filmmaking, and hotel/restaurant management. Cynthia strives to cook with the most natural and local ingredients that are available. She is committed to great flavors using different mineral-rich salts from around the world and the best organic herbs and high quality spices.
She shares, “I love living in a small mountain town with beautiful scenery and experiencing the four seasons. I’m really enjoying cooking for the seniors (and children) of Pagosa Springs.”
Community Cafe now
accepting texts
Text us at (970) 264-2167. The Community Cafe is now accepting text messaging for meal reservations, cancellations and/or communication of any kind.
When texting, please include your name, phone number and the days you want a meal. If you are calling to cancel a reservation, please include your name, phone number and the days you want to cancel. Texting services are available for dine-in meal reservations, Grab-n-Go meals and Meals on Wheels recipients.
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. Proof of vaccination is required.
Medicare call
by appointment
For anyone who needs help enrolling and navigating Medicare plans, we help with parts A, B and D. We can also help you with fraud concerns and troubleshooting any billing issues you may be having. By appointment only. Please call our Medicare line at (970) 264-0501, ext 4.
Zentangle
Zentangle is a form of relaxation and using easy-to-learn patterns, drawn by focusing on single lines one at a time. The method focuses on simple elemental strokes that anyone can draw, regardless of creative ability, and allows the mind and body to release stress while creating beautiful images.
The instructor is Roberta Strickland, CZT. Call (970) 946-4582 or text us at (970) 264-2167. Classes are every Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. in the Senior Center. For the safety of our participants, proof of vaccinations is required.
Bridge
Bridge takes place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 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. Proof of vaccinations is required.
Kitchen and desk
volunteers needed
The Community Cafe at the Senior Center is requesting volunteers to help with greeting customers. Please call or text us at (970) 264-2167 to volunteer or for more information.
ASI board vacancy
The ASI Board of Directors has one vacant position open for financial oversight and policy implementation for the organization and senior center staff. The terms are three years with an option to renew for an additional term. Potential candidates should be at least 55 years of age or older and must have a passion for adult and aging services.
Community Cafe menu
Thursday, Aug. 4 — Salmon with dill sauce, orzo pasta, broccoli, milk, garden salad and cookies.
Friday, Aug. 5 — Spaghetti Bolognese, broccoli with focaccia, bread, milk, garden salad and fruit.
Monday, Aug. 8 — Fish tacos with cabbage and Baja sauce, cilantro rice, milk, garden salad, fruit.
Tuesday, Aug. 9 — Pork kielbasa with sauteed cabbage and German potato salad, milk, garden salad, fruit and roll with butter.
Wednesday, Aug. 10 — Meatloaf with gravy, baked potatoes, roll and butter, milk and garden salad.
Thursday, Aug. 11 — Grilled cheese sandwich with tomato basil soup, milk, small chef salad and fruit.
Grab-N-Go Meals
Reservations and cancellations are required. Please call by 9 a.m. the morning of the day you want to pick up a meal. A suggested donation of $5 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. 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.
Fundraising need
ASI has an immediate monetary need of raising $100,000 from our community to strengthen a Round 2 state of Colorado Senate Bill 290 grant opportunity. So far, $35,000 has been raised.
ASI is proposing a $2 million request to purchase a new Senior Center, including the cost of renovations for a large dining room, food storage, offices, a large commercial kitchen and ample space for activities.
Please consider donating to ASI by calling or texting us at (970) 264-2167. You may also mail your donation to P.O. Box 344, 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. in downtown Pagosa Springs. For more information about ASI, please visit http://www.psseniors.org/.
