By Rose Chavez | PREVIEW Columnist
Plan now to try something new online this month from our partners at Mather Institute.
Sign up for a free four-part series on “Nutrition at Home and around the Globe.” Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nutrition-at-home-and-around-the-globe-thursdays-1000-am-ct-tickets-711575079217?aff=oddtdtcreator to get healthy tips and fascinating facts about food.
Or, work on your balance, posture and breath in “Feeling Better - Head to Toe.” Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/feeling-better-head-to-toe-wednesdays-230-pm-ct-tickets-670986186747?aff=oddtdtcreator.
We also have online sessions on creative art-making, mindfulness, technology, music and more. All are free, but please register in advance.
Popular options include:
• “Song Sharing Circle.” In this group, we’ll listen to our favorite songs, discuss, reminisce, and recommend old and new favorites. You can come prepared with a few songs to share for each week’s topic, or you can listen along with us. There are no wrong answers; all songs are welcome. Just tell us the title of a song, and we’ll do the rest. To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/song-sharing-circle-thursdays-200-pm-ct-tickets-653214160137?aff=oddtdtcreator.
• “Getting Stronger - Head to Toe.” In this class, we guide you through strengthening major muscle groups, improving your posture and enhancing your core stability. Feel stronger and taller in four weeks. To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/getting-stronger-head-to-toe-mondays-200-pm-ct-tickets-640685667077?aff=oddtdtcreator.
• “Music Appreciation.” With a combination of virtual discussions and listening, we will explore different genres of music, learn about the history and cultural context of each, and gain a better appreciation for the power of music. This is the perfect class to enrich your understanding of this universal art form. To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/music-appreciation-wednesdays-300-pm-ct-tickets-652360336327?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Questions? Contact Mather at (888) 600.2560 or contact@mather.com.
New Monday music
Enjoy pleasant soft-rock songs from the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s, as well as international folk, humor and new music, too.
Dr. Erika Sueker has been playing music since 1967, teaching music since 1978 and working with older adults since 1983. Join the lunchtime fun upcoming Mondays.
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.
Pagosa Springs
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.
Share lunch Monday through Thursday
Join us at the Silver Fox’s Den, aka the Community Cafe, in person for daily hot/cold meals Mondays through Thursdays at the Ross Aragon 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 $10, but no one will be turned away. There is a $10 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. 21 — Singapore pork coffee ribs with rice, squash casserole, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Friday, Sept. 22 — Vegetable pizza, sauteed spinach, garden salad, fruit, chocolate eclair and milk.
Monday, Sept. 25 — Pork tenderloin with harvest chutney sauce, garden salad, chocolate cake and milk.
Tuesday, Sept. 26 — Honey garlic shrimp, veggie fried rice, sauteed snow peas, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Wednesday, Sept .27 — Chicken potato-leek soup, focaccia bread, roasted beet salad with walnuts and goat cheese, cookies and milk.
Thursday, Sept. 28 — Greek polenta pie with spanakopita greens, roasted squash, garden salad, fruit, mini cheesecake and milk.
Friday, Sept. 29 — Pork kielbasa with peppers, roasted herb potatoes, garden salad, fruit, vanilla orange cake 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 $10 helps to sustain our program. 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.
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.
Bridge
The longest-played bridge game in Archuleta County takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays 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 Thursdays 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.
