The Pagosa Senior Center and the Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership (GGP) are joining forces, along with a number of other local organizations, to support enhanced nutrition services for our senior community and their families by growing fresh food in the Community Garden Dome (CGD) in downtown Pagosa Springs.
The complementary nature of this collaboration allows these organizations to deepen our impact and reach in the Archuleta community by growing healthy food and self-reliance through social and educational opportunities about sustainable agricultural practices using local renewable energy. Food grown in the CGD is donated where each group specifies or is eaten by participants.
The GGP will debut new signs on its site in Centennial Park in the near future describing the purpose of each dome including: the Community Garden Dome, the Education Dome and the Innovation Dome. These signs are provided in partnership with the Town of Pagosa Springs Area Tourism Board.
According to the GGP, “Food security is a useful measure of household and individual welfare and, of course, food insecurity occurs within our community. The Community Garden Dome demonstrates sustainable food production, provides space for groups to garden year-round, and provides food to those who experience food insecurity. The CGD brings together organizations whose goals address these issues. The work in the greenhouse supports their interests in the community and facilitates working together in the same space to foster cooperation and collaboration. The CGD is critical to engaging the community at large in actual growing experiences and to illustrating self-sufficiency.”
“A goal of the CGD is to maximize the amount of healthy food distributed to the greater community. This may include families in need, individuals desiring a healthier diet, and families, friends and neighbors of participants. Community gardeners work together to manage soil health and insect pests with natural methods. The Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership encourages a representative cross-section of Pagosa Springs’ groups to demonstrate these concepts of sustainable food production. The values inherent in these growing activities go a long way toward bringing participants a greater sense of security. These same values promote food equity, assure food safety, and improve mental, emotional and physical health.”
Community members are invited to join the Pagosa Senior Center and the GGP Thursday December 15, 2022 at 1 pm at the Community Garden Dome, located in downtown Pagosa Springs in Centennial Park just off highway 160 and 5th St. We will enjoy a tour of the Community Garden Dome and will have a discussion about the community and health promoting benefits of growing local and seasonal food using local renewable energy.
Pagosa Senior Center Christmas Party December 21
The community is invited to attend a casual and festive Christmas party at the Pagosa Senior Center Wednesday December 21, 2022 from 12 pm to 3 pm. Come for lunch and stay for a joyful time together. Local musicians will provide two 45 minute sets of holiday music, we will follow lunch with hot coffee served alongside house made holiday desserts. Please RSVP via text at 970-264-2167. We are planning a pseudo snow fight, some shenanigans with Santa Claus and a few free door prizes to jazz up the moments we share together. We invite community members to join in serving our seniors and their families by offering a donation of shelf stable foods or warm clothing this holiday season.
Year End Giving by “Adopting a Senior”
To round out our year-end fundraising efforts Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and the Pagosa Senior Center are announcing our “Adopt A Senior” campaign. As food costs continue to rise and cost of living grows in our beloved Pagosa Country, we are hoping the community will stand in solidarity with our Pagosa Seniors and help pay for wholesome and nutritious meals, medical monitoring and social activities for our community in need. We have a variety of price points that can fit anyone’s budget. $10 = 1 Senior Meal $50 = 5 Senior Meals. $250 = 25 Senior Meals $650 = Feeds a Senior for 3 Months $1300 = Feeds a Senior for 6 months and $2600 = Feeds a Senior for 1 year. You are welcome to make your donation via snail mail, online on our website at www.psseniors.org or feel free to walk in during our office hours and drop off your donation.
Covid-19 Test Kits Available
Stop by the Pagosa Senior Center to pick up a pack of 5 free covid-19 tests kits for your personal use. These kits are available to anyone in the public that needs affordable access for health promotion and disease prevention.
Zentangle
Zentangle is a form of relation and using easy to learn patterns, drawn by focusing on single lines one at a time. The method focuses on simple elemental strokes that anyone can draw, regardless of creative ability, and allows the mind and body to release stress while creating beautiful images. Instructor: Roberta Strickland, CZT. Call 970-946-4582 or text us at 970-264-2167. Classes are every Wednesday at 1:15 pm in the Pagosa 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 but please bring an adult with you.
Kitchen and Desk Volunteers Needed
The Community Cafe at the Pagosa Senior Center is requesting volunteers to help with kitchen tasks and substitutes for our Meals on Wheels drivers. Please call or text us at 970-264-2167 to volunteer or for more information.
Community Cafe Menu
Thursday, December 15 – Beef frito pie chile, cilantro lime rice, garden salad, fruit, milk and vanilla pudding.
Friday, December 16 – Pork tenderloin with caramelized onions, apples, cranberries, couscous, asparagus, hollandaise sauce, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Monday, December 19 – Chicken dijon, broccoli and cauliflower, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Tuesday, December 20 – Cod fish with steak fries, tartar sauce, garden salad, fruit, milk and chocolate pudding.
Wednesday, December 21 – Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans with bacon, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Thursday, December 22 – Potato leek soup with crackers, glazed carrots, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Friday, December 23 – Sliced ham with cherry sauce, mashed sweet potatoes, garden salad, fruit and milk.
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.
We are located at 451 Hot Springs Blvd., in downtown Pagosa Springs. For more information about ASI, please visit http://www.psseniors.org/.
Rose Chavez is Executive Director for Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and Public Health Consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.