With the peak of the growing season at hand, Archuleta Seniors Inc. (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.
Fresh Conversations
Are you interested in learning more about your blood and how to keep it healthy? Please join us for the Fresh Conversations nutrition education gathering this month and learn about anemia — signs and symptoms, and how to avoid it. You’ll also learn about the benefits of flexibility and stretching in your daily life.
We will meet Friday, Sept. 13, at 1:15 p.m. at the Pagosa Senior Center dining hall, 415 Hot Springs Blvd., in the back of the Ross Aragon Community Center.
Don’t forget that we always have a seasonal recipe tasting and movement to get you feeling limber and uplifted.
Healthy aging and yoga therapy classes series
The Healthy Aging Yoga Series continues to be offered in person at the Pagosa Senior Center on Mondays from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
It is 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 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 request that individuals new to the series arrive early for intake inquiries and to please communicate with our new instructor, Kimberly Anderson, directly by email at zinkgraf@gmail.com.
Stretching and mobility class
Community members are invited to attend new free weekly classes every Tuesday this fall and winter from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Pagosa Senior Center (located at 451 Hot Springs Blvd., in the back of the Ross Aragon Community Center).
The stretching and mobility classes for older adults (age 55 and up) are designed to help build balance in the body through functional exercises that aim to improve mobility and flexibility.
Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of techniques that can help enhance overall movement efficiency.
Though not necessary, a mat is recommended for this class.
The program is instructed by local ballet dance instructor Dee Pitchon, who will provide modifications to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the exercises.
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.
Emotional Freedom Technique sessions
Join Judith Newman at the Pagosa Senior Center (451 Hot Springs Blvd.) the second Wednesday of each month — Sept. 11 and Oct. 9 — to learn and/or refresh your Emotional Freedom Technique, also known as tapping skills, to support yourself with self-care, relief from anxiety and community support.
All classes start at 10 a.m. and last 45 minutes to an hour. Please bring a friend or come alone. All are welcome.
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.
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.
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. 12 — Codfish Veracruz, roasted asparagus, garden salad, fruit, blueberry muffin and milk.
Friday, Sept. 13 — Pork posole, cabbage, radishes and onions, lime, tortilla, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Monday, Sept. 16 — Beef meatloaf, baby baked potatoes, garden salad, fruit, lemon cookies and milk.
Tuesday, Sept. 17 — Chicken tom kha soup, roasted bok choy, almond croissant, garden salad, vanilla yogurt, fruit and milk.
Wednesday, Sept. 18 — Tuna melt on sourdough, Parmesan-crusted zucchini, garden salad, fruit, brownie and milk.
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.
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
The Senior Center will no longer be distributing free COVID-19 test kits.
Please stop by the Archuleta County Public Health Department at 502 S. 8th St. These kits are available to anyone in the public that 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.
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.
