If you love to shop at the Pagosa Farmers Market, are 60 or older, or if you are 200 percent of poverty, please call Deb Herera of the San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging at (970) 403-2164 to put your name on the list for $50 in vouchers to redeem for local foods.
Vista Lake Community Garden
Are you interested in gardening in a raised garden bed along with other community members this growing season?
Join Archuleta Seniors Inc. (ASI) and the Pagosa Senior Center this Thursday, June 20, at 5:30 p.m. to plant our garden plot to provide fresh garden veggies, flowers, herbs and more to the Archuleta County Food Pantry Network.
We will provide mushroom compost and some plants to put in the ground, but feel free to bring your own.
Vista Lake Community Garden is located at 230 Port Ave., behind the Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association building near the gazebo by the lake. Park by the gazebo and we will walk to the garden at 5:30 p.m.
Fresh produce boxes for older adults
The Pagosa Senior Center and Terra Walk Farm CSA shares will be delivered to the Senior Center on Tuesdays (bimonthly) for 30 older adults and their families to pick up and use over a two-week period before they receive their next share.
This program, subsidized by a grant from Nourish Colorado, will provide seasonal fresh produce for a 20-week period during the growing season, June through October.
In addition to fresh, seasonal produce, community members will also receive recipes for inspiration and are invited to attend our monthly “Fresh Conversations” nutrition education program that includes recipe tastings on July 17 at 10 a.m. and Aug. 16, at 1:30 p.m.
Spanish Fiesta July 27
You are invited to the 22nd annual Spanish Fiesta on July 27.
This year we celebrate “La cultura cura!” — a transformative health and healing philosophy that recognizes the importance of cultural values, traditions and Indigenous practices on the path to healthy development, restoration and lifelong well-being.
Enjoy the 22nd Annual Spanish Fiesta in Pagosa Springs, where Spanish, Mexican, Native American and Anglo cultural traditions intertwine to create the strong heritage we have today here in Southwest Colorado.
Food, music, dancing, libations, vendors, color and good company provide the ingredients of a party to delight all the senses and to make memories for a lifetime.
This year is the 22nd anniversary of the Spanish Fiesta after being dormant for some 20 years before it was revived in 2023.
The Spanish Fiesta Committee of Archuleta Seniors Inc. (ASI) is working to make this year memorable.
The headliner for the day’s activities will be famous New Mexican artist Darren Cordova Y Calor at the Archuleta County Fairgrounds.
Activities will begin at 3 p.m., but come earlier to get your seat and enjoy authentic Hispanic cuisine of southern Colorado and northern New Mexican plus a variety of other food trucks, artisan vendors, music from Candace Vargas and Northern 505, and folklorico dance performances from local artists.
We will feature scholarship recipients, the Spanish Fiesta Royalty and the Archuleta County Fair Royalty.
Proceeds from this event will support older adults of Archuleta County through the services of ASI and a BIPOC youth and elder scholarship fund.
Admission is for an afternoon and evening from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. filled with fun for all. Tickets are available online https://givebutter.com/SpanishFiesta2024 and will be available starting in June for paper tickets.
If you are interested in volunteering, being a sponsor or vendor please call (970) 264.2167 or email Rose Chavez at rosa@psseniors.org.
Volunteers needed for 22nd annual Spanish Fiesta
ASI is looking to recruit volunteers to set up the 22nd annual Spanish Fiesta on July 26, help with activities the day of the event, July 27, and help with tear down of the event on July 28.
All volunteers are required to purchase their tickets to the event in advance and, once the volunteer assignment is complete, you will be reimbursed after the event and will receive a gift card for provision of your services.
This event is only successful with the help of volunteers and community sponsorship, so please consider offering your time and coming out to enjoy the festivities with us. Secure your spot at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084CABAD28ABFBC61-49963208-22nd.
For more information, please visit psseniors.org, call (970) 264-2167 or email us at rosa@psseniors.org.
Healthy aging yoga therapy class series
A Healthy Aging Yoga Series will be offered in person 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.
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 Connors 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 June 21, July 12, July 26, Aug. 9 and Aug. 23.
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. 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, June 20 — Stuffed giant portobello mushroom cap with veggies and feta cheese, roasted sweet potatoes, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Friday, June 21 — Beef fajitas, peppers and onions, tortillas, sour cream, guacamole, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Monday, June 24 — Greek spinach and feta pie, spinach artichoke dip and pita chips, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Tuesday, June 25 — Chicken pesto wrap, Italian chop salad, mixed fruit salad, hazelnut crunch bar and milk.
Wednesday, June 26 — Crispy codfish with tartar sauce and lemon, creamed spinach, garden salad, peach cobbler, milk.
Thursday, June 27 — Beef spaghetti, broccoli, garlic bread, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Friday, June 28 — Singapore pork ribs, veg. fried rice, snow peas, 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 $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
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/.
