Spring is in the air here in Archuleta County. It’s a time to appreciate and renew our dedication to protecting this beautiful planet we call home.
Since 1970, we have set aside April 22 as Earth Day to celebrate and learn about ways we can honor and preserve Earth’s gifts and natural resources for our children, grandchildren and future generations.
Pagosa’s own Southwest Organization for Sustainability is hosting an Earth Day Celebration this Sunday, April 21, in Centennial Park at the Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership site from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information can be found at https://sospagoa.org.
Archuleta Seniors Inc. (ASI) is excited to be a part of this educational and fun experience for people of all ages.
Stop by our booth to enter our prize drawing. Learn about how we grow fresh local produce and feature it in our seasonal menu and meal program for older adults. Complete our strategic planning survey and learn about our programs and services available to our 60 and better community.
Here are some other easy ways to get involved in the Spirit of Earth Day:
• Organize a cleanup: Join the Town of Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County on May 3 for a free dump day at multiple locations around town and at the annual community-wide clean-up event followed by a BBQ, ice cream contest and free concert in Yamaguchi Park on May 4. Details can be found at https://archuletacounty.org/728/Big-Spring-Clean.
• Tend or start a community garden: The PLPOA Garden Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. on May 2 at 230 Port Ave. at the garden by the gazebo.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle: Reducing, reusing and recycling are important aspects of conservation.
• Enjoy nature: What better way is there to celebrate Earth Day than by enjoying and appreciating what nature has to offer?
Earth Day is about coming together to spread awareness and inspiration, and to make small changes that will make a larger impact over time.
Contact ASI for more information on any of the above-listed events or activities at (970) 264-2167.
Survey and focus group
Community members are encouraged by ASI to provide feedback on the needs of local older adult residents and to comment on how well ASI is meeting these needs.
Several focus group discussions and an online survey are part of a countywide effort to gather data that will inform the ASI Board of Directors as it plans for ASI’s senior services provision for the coming three years.
“We want to hear from anyone and everyone interested in maximizing the services and supports available to our community’s seniors,” said ASI Executive Director Rose Chavez. “It is important that all impacted voices are heard. To this end, we are hosting several focus group conversations, and are making the online survey available in both Spanish and English.”
A focus group discussion (sign-up requested) will be held on April 18 (3 p.m. to 5 p.m.).
Both clients and non-clients of ASI and the Pagosa Senior Center are welcome to participate; refreshments and door prizes will be provided.
Those interested in completing a short survey may visit www.psseniors.org or contact ASI for a printed version of the survey instrument. It is available in Spanish at https://forms.gle/vBDSkEksaZVZmp6DA and in English at https://forms.gle/D7ftzcJFA8HNvrTA8.
ASI’s mission is “To promote independence and advance community resilience by empowering individuals who are 60 years old and better, their families, and other community stakeholders.”
Services’ delivery is driven by the deeply held value that older adults have an important role in the community, and includes provision of meals, social and educational activities, monitoring systems and other caregiver supports, and local referrals.
For further information, to sign up to attend a focus group gathering or to request a printed survey document, contact Chavez at ASI, (970)264-2167 or rosa@psseniors.org.
Senior Discount Card
The Senior Center is continuing its annual tradition of providing a local discount card for those ages 60 and better.
The discount card encourages seniors to support local recreational, restaurant, medical and retail services by obtaining a senior discount card for a small fee that serves as a fundraiser for ASI.
These local businesses provide a discount ranging from 5 percent to 20 percent off services.
For more information, visit http://www.psseniors.org/discount-club.html or stop by our offices at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. to pick up your card. For more information, contact us at (970) 264-2167.
Healthy aging yoga therapy class series
This winter, a healthy aging yoga series will be offered as a hybrid class at the Senior Center on Mondays from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Classes will be structured by therapeutic yoga tools and techniques with chair movement, standing stretches, gentle postures, breathing practices and reflective meditative moments.
Monthly themes for the series will include topics such as sustainable strength for healthy aging individuals, brain health, heart and cardiovascular health, mental and emotional well-being, community connections, and stress management, to name a few.
Classes will be educational for participants to utilize practices in daily life and are meant for all levels of experience with yoga.
The class is hosted by local yoga therapist AJ Connors, with a hybrid focus for the winter months, blending in-person, online and, occasionally, recorded classes. Zoom sessions will be streamed at the Senior Center to provide the community experience to practice together or can be accessed at home if weather is a factor.
Mats and chairs will be provided at the Senior Center; some blocks and Therabands are available, too. The addition of yoga props is always welcomed.
We are requesting that individuals who are new to joining the series arrive early for intake inquiries and to please communicate with AJ directly by emailing ajconnorslove@gmail.com.
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 April 19.
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 will be offering T’ai Chi Chih with accredited instructor Patti Popovich each Thursday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the dining hall to support older adults who want to discover purpose and fulfillment in this transitional phase of life.
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.
Senior Conversations
Join us Mondays 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 in the Senior Center in the dining hall. Snacks will be provided.
Scrapbooking Club
The Pagosa Springs Scrapbooking Club holds monthly meetings the second Saturday of each month at the Senior Center.
It meets each month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to be creative, share ideas, connect with friends, learn new techniques, share supplies and indulge in a potluck lunch together.
Bring your scrapbooking projects — or any crafting project that you may want to work on with the group. If you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive notifications each month of the upcoming meeting along with handy tips and tricks for scrapbooking, please send your request to copenhavercreative@gmail.com.
Pagosa Springs 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, April 18 — Chicken and dumplings, roasted cauliflower, garden salad, fruit, blueberry muffin and milk.
Friday, April 19 — Ginger-lime shrimp, grits, rainbow chard, garden salad, fruit, fortune cookies and milk.
Monday, April 22 — Pork posole, tortilla, garden salad, fruit, flan and milk.
Tuesday, April 23 — Mahi-mahi with mango salsa, quinoa rice pilaf, garden salad, fruit, cream puffs and milk.
Wednesday, April 24 — Sweet potato and black bean tacos with avocado, sour cream, cilantro rice, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Thursday, April 25 — Meatloaf and mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, garden salad, fruit, cookies and milk.
Friday, April 26 - Chicken piccata, broccoli, dinner roll, garden salad, fruit, vanilla-honey yogurt 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.
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.
Mobile food pantry service discontinued
The Mobile Food Pantry Service has been discontinued due to funding shortages. 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.
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 2.
Mindful drawing
Mindful drawing is an easy-to-learn, relaxing and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Join our friendly instructor, Roberta Strickland.
Classes are every Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. in the Senior Center. This activity is open to all ages. Help us create an intergenerational community. For those under 18 and/or with disabilities, you are welcome to join us, but we kindly ask you to please bring an adult chaperone with you.
Bridge
The longest-played bridge game in Archuleta County takes place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 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.
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.
Supporting ASI
Please support our ongoing operations and programming that provide critical services to some of the most vulnerable in Archuleta County.
You may mail your donation to P.O. Box 3444, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 or please visit our website, http://www.psseniors.org/ (donation button). Donation checks can be written to: Archuleta Seniors Inc. We are located at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. For more information about Archuleta Seniors Inc., please visit http://www.psseniors.org/.
There is also another way to donate.
Are you 70 and half years old or better? Do you have an IRA from which you need to take a distribution? Did you know you can make charitable donations directly from your IRA without paying taxes on the distribution, up to $100,000 per year? The donation from the account would be payable to Archuleta Seniors Inc. and sent to P.O. Box 344, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147. This gift option is called the IRA charitable rollover or qualified charitable distribution.
