Let the doubled donations pile up like the leaves in autumn.
Jump into the pile: As the seasons change, so too does Archuleta Seniors Inc.’s (ASI’s) need to reach out again to our caring community for support.
Thanks to the kind donation of a matching grant provided by an anonymous benefactor, your generous donation during our fall fundraiser will be doubled up to $5,000 through the end of October.
Although we are very grateful to our current funding partners, Archuleta County, San Juan Basin Area on Aging, Town of Pagosa Springs and grants from private foundations, still, it is not enough.
Thirty-seven percent of our funds are dependent on our ability to fundraise, via fundraising campaigns, community events and the generosity of people like you. Unfortunately, we have been informed that we can expect an 18 percent decrease in funding this next fiscal year even while our operation costs and need for services continue to increase.
But, with your help, we can make a difference and enhance the lives of our 60+ community and those who care about them. Please jump in today with your 100 percent matched donation and join in our ongoing efforts to provide our cherished elders, who have given so much to this community, with nutritional, health and social programming that will continue to enrich their lives.
Donations can be made directly to ASI, located in the Ross Aragon Community Center, at 451 Hot Springs Blvd., or by mail to P.O. Box 3444, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147.
We also take donations by phone, (970) 264-2167, or online donations via our Colorado Gives fall fundraising page: https://www.coloradogives.org/story/Asifallfundraiser.
Seasonal food
demonstration
With the peak of the growing season at hand, ASI is excited to welcome Chris and Rue Fredericks, and ASI Executive Director Rose Chavez, public health nutritionist, for a meet and greet with the community on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 1:30 p.m. in the Pagosa Senior Center dining hall.
We will meet to discuss the free Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program for older adults that is going on this growing season and to enjoy a seasonal food demonstration.
The farmers will give a brief presentation about this summer’s free CSA program for older adults and their philosophy in growing food for the community. They have also offered to provide some culinary inspiration and seasonal food preparation suggestions for many of the items they grow.
Come prepared to enjoy an informative food demonstration and seasonal tasting of this low-carbon footprint, nutrient-dense, amazing food grown right here in Archuleta County.
Through a unique partnership with Nourish Colorado and Terra Walk Farm, Archuleta Seniors has been able to provide free weekly organic vegetable boxes to more than 30 older adults and their families in Archuleta County for the 16-week growing season during 2024.
Now we’d like the whole community to get an opportunity to learn about this program and meet the community members involved. Come celebrate the harvest with us, thank a farmer and be in the community.
For more information, contact ASI at (970) 264-2167.
Resources for those with vision loss or low vision
Are you losing some vision? Are you legally blind? Do you want to build your skills? Would you like to meet others who are also dealing with vision loss?
Join the Colorado Center for the Blind at the Durango Senior Center in Durango, 2424 Main Ave., Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to noon. There will be an additional afternoon session from 1 to 4 p.m., both at the Durango Senior Center.
You will learn about several resources that will be invaluable to you. They will provide hands-on learning experiences: techniques for independent travel, organizing your home, using your smartphone, reading books and much more. In the afternoon from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., they will provide individualized training and consultative services.
This free resource and training workshop is for low-vision and blind people of all ages, their families and friends. If you are unable to travel to Durango from Pagosa, ASI staff will have a resource sheet available shortly after the event and details to provide referrals.
This is sponsored by the National Federations of the Blind of Colorado and the Colorado Center for the Blind.
Bingo
The Senior Center will be hosting bingo twice a month on Friday afternoons from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Bingo will be on Sept. 20, Sept. 27, Oct. 4 and Oct. 11.
Participation is free, and we ask you bring yourself and a friend for joyful fellowship. We will provide prizes from local businesses for all winners, and snacks will also be provided.
No RSVP is required; just show up. All ages are welcome, but we ask those 18 and younger to come with an adult chaperone.
For more information, contact us at (970) 264-2167.
T’ai Chi Chih
The Senior Center offers T’ai Chi Chih with accredited instructor Patti Popovich each Thursday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. to support older adults who want to discover purpose and fulfillment in this transitional phase of life. Meet at the gazebo in Yamaguchi Park, 684 S. 5th St.
T’ai Chi Chih is not a martial art, but rather a tool for self-healing. Softness, flow and effortlessness are the guiding principles in this practice.
All classes will be free for older adults (age 60 and better) and will last approximately one hour in the dining hall.
No special clothing or equipment is required.
For more information, call (970) 264-2167.
Share lunch Monday through Friday
Join us at the Silver Fox’s Den, aka the Community Cafe, in person for daily hot/cold meals Mondays through Thursdays at the 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 $6, but no one will be turned away. There is a $10.50 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, Sept. 19 — Singapore coffee pork ribs, vegetable fried rice, snow peas, garden salad, fruit, chai pudding and milk.
Friday, Sept. 20 — Butternut squash, sage and mushroom lasagna; wilted spinach and onions; garden salad; fruit; carrot cake; and milk.
Monday, Sept. 23 — Baked Parmesan crusted salmon, broccoli hollandaise, quinoa rice pilaf, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Tuesday, Sept. 24 — Greek spinach-feta pie, lemon Greek potatoes, garden salad, fruit,hazelnut crunch bar and milk.
Wednesday, Sept. 25 — Green chili pork with rice, southern biscuit, garden salad, fruit, cottage cheese and milk.
Thursday, Sept. 26 — Chicken lo mein, stir-fry vegetables, spring roll, garden salad, coconut-mango rice pudding, fruit and milk.
Friday, Sept. 27 — Beef spaghetti, Romanesco, garlic bread, garden salad, ambrosia fruit salad 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 $6 helps to sustain our program. For ages 59 and younger, the cost is $10.50. No one will be turned away for their inability to donate. Please call or text us at (970) 264-2167 to make a reservation.
Mobile food pantry
service
Older adults needing a ride to a local food pantry should contact the MET to schedule a ride with its paratransit service. For more information, contact Lavonne at (970) 264-2250.
Text reservations
Don’t forget that we offer a convenient texting service for you to communicate with us. Text us at (970) 264-2167. When texting, please include your name, phone number and the days you want a meal. If you are canceling 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.
Hand and foot card game
Whether you are new to hand and foot or interested in learning, please join us most Tuesdays at 1:15 at the Senior Center.
This card game involves four rounds of playing until the final round is reached — some two to three hours later. Plan to stay and meet some new friends or catch up with those you have missed over the last couple of years.
No experience is necessary, so come willing to learn.
Board vacancies
The ASI Board of Directors has multiple vacant positions open. The terms are three years with an option to renew for an additional term.
Potential candidates should be at least 21 years of age or older and must have a passion for adult and aging services.
