By Rose Chavez | PREVIEW Columnist
Archuleta Seniors Inc. (ASI) is taking feedback from the community for new programming ideas to support intergenerational programming at the Pagosa Senior Center located in the Ross Aragon Community Center.
Currently, we offer bridge, tangled pattern drawing and mahjong during the week and are looking to expand our offerings in the hope to provide a few more opportunities for community members to join in on the fun and socialize. Call or text us at (970) 264-2167.
Community Cafe open Mondays, Wednesdays
The Community Cafe continues to be open to the public every Monday and Wednesday from 11a.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 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.
ASI seeking help
The work of ASI has engaged new community members over the past month as we have opened up to the community, and, as we continue to deepen our reach into the community, we are looking to directly involve more Spanish speakers in our work.
Engaging Spanish-speaking community members means leveraging their energy and curiosity, their diverse experiences and their creativity as communicators. That is where we need help. If you, or someone you know, may be interested in supporting the work of ASI with bilingual translation and/or engagement into the Spanish-speaking community, please call or text us at (970) 264-2167 if you are interested or want to learn more.
Shout-out
We would like to give a shout-out to our admin staff, Barbara Noriega and Janet Monks, who both facilitate day-to-day operations at the senior center.
Noriega has been with ASI for three years and provides compassionate care and nutrition security via the Meals on Wheels program. Monks serves as the senior program and administrative manager and has also been on staff for two years. Both Monks and Noriega are longtime residents of Pagosa Springs.
They are being recognized for their tireless commitment to our community and for making the Senior Center a welcoming place for everyone.
Farmers Market vouchers
Farmers Market vouchers for seniors (age 60 and older) are now available. If you love to shop at the Farmers Market, are 60 or older, or if you are 200 percent of poverty, please call Debbie at (970) 403-2164 at the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to put your name on the list for $25 in vouchers to redeem for local foods.
Then, visit the Pagosa Farmers Market any Saturday during the growing season (June through September) to pick up your $25 voucher to support the local food artisans and growers in southwest Colorado and northern New Mexico. The Pagosa Farmers Market is located on the third row of the East Side Market and is open only on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through September.
Text messaging available
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 dining-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.
Bridge
The longest played bridge game in Archuleta County takes place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 p.m. every week. 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. 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. 11 — Grilled cheese sandwich with tomato basil soup, milk, chef salad, fresh berries and croutons.
Friday, Aug. 12 — Stuffed Portobello mushrooms, naan bread and hummus, milk, garden salad and carrot cake.
Monday, Aug. 15 — Curry chicken with jasmine rice, roasted cauliflower, milk, garden salad, chai pudding with toasted almonds and fruit.
Tuesday, Aug. 16 — Crispy baked catfish with tartar sauce, wilted spinach, milk, garden salad and cherry crisp.
Wednesday, Aug. 17 — Harvest chicken salad wrap, macaroni salad, garden salad, milk, yogurt, fruit and blueberry cakes.
Thursday, Aug. 18 — Hawaiian pork with peppers over coconut rice with sauteed vegetables, milk, garden salad and mango salad.
Grab-N-Go meals
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 $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 to support ongoing operations and programming that provide critical services to some of the most vulnerable in Archuleta County.
Please consider donating to ASI. 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., in downtown Pagosa Springs.
For more information about ASI, please visit http://www.psseniors.org/.
