SENIOR CENTER NEWS: Free Rides for Seniors on Mountain Express Transit

Older adults 60 and older are eligible for free transportation provided by Archuleta County Mountain Express Transit (MET). Older adults can ride the MET Pagosa Springs route for free Monday – Friday. This route stops at the Senior Center and the Medical Center ten times per day. Disabled community members that live within ¾ of a mile of this route but are unable to make it to a stop can qualify for free paratransit service. Paratransit service requires community members to book their ride 24 hours in advance. Community members must call the MET at 970-264-2250 by 3pm the day before Monday – Friday, to reserve their ride.

Additionally, the MET offers discounted Dial-a-ride service to eligible seniors for $4 per stop within town limits or $8 outside town limits.

Spanish Fiesta Planning Session June 2, 2023
The Pagosa Senior Center invites community members of all ages and backgrounds to rekindle the Spanish Fiestas of the past that honor the culture and diversity of the Archuleta and Pagosa Springs community. On Friday June 2 2023 at 10 am community members interested in helping revive and honor the heritage of Pagosa Country with an emphasis on Hispanic and Indigenous are asked to meet at the dining hall in the Pagosa Senior Center located within the Ross Aragon Community Center. We are a group of folks trying to revive a custom that used to celebrate our local heritage and promote scholarship in our local youth. This includes many of Archuleta County’s founding families.

The group is planning a headliner concert featuring the music of the godson of New Mexico music Al Hurricane Jr. and his band along with local talent featuring Los Mitotitos at the Archuleta County Fairgrounds during the afternoon and evening of Saturday July 29, 2023. During these initial meetings we will discuss ideas to celebrate Hispanic and Indigenous heritage in conjunction with the musical event planned for this summer. Funds raised during this event will be used to support the intergenerational mission of Archuleta Seniors Inc. and a future scholarship fund for BIPOC (black, indigenous and youth of color) youth of Archuleta County. All community members are welcome to attend. For more information contact rosa@psseniors.org

Senior Conversations
Join us Wednesdays at 1:15 pm 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 at the Pagosa Senior Center in the dining hall, snacks will be provided.

Healthy Aging & Yoga Therapy Class Series Continues
Gather with local yoga practitioner AJ Connors for a series of evidence based healthy aging and yoga therapy classes at the Pagosa Senior Center geared for adults and older adults of all ages. This yoga series promotes healthy aging for individuals with therapeutic classes offering yoga tools and education for strength, resilience, and wellness. Classes are designed to address different aspects of healthy aging and are geared towards accessibility and gentle practice. Class is offered Mondays 2:30-3:30pm.

Pagosa Springs Scrapbooking Club
The Pagosa Springs Scrapbooking Club holds monthly meetings the second Saturday of each month at the Pagosa Senior Center. This creative tradition has been happening since 2005, started by Melissa Bailey and continued by Kathy Ruth through the years. The group met in the Senior Center dining room until 2020, took a break due to Covid and then resumed meetings in the Community Center. They are truly excited to be meeting in the Senior Center dining area again. They will meet each month from 10:00am-3:00pm. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please send your request to copenhavercreative@gmail.com and you will receive notification each month of the upcoming meeting along with hand tips & tricks for scrapbooking.

Share Lunch and Dine Monday through Thursday
Join us at the Silver Fox’s Den aka Community Cafe in person for daily hot/cold meals Mondays through Thursdays downtown at the Ross Aragon Community Center between 11 am and 1 pm weekly. Pickup is available all week including Fridays. Open to All.

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 $10.00, but no one will be turned away. There is a $10.00 charge for guests under the age of 60. Meals include a main course, side dish, fruit/dessert, garden salad plus beverage. Our menu changes daily.

Please visit our website at http://www.psseniors.org/community-cafeacute.html to view our weekly menu. To reserve your meal for the day please make your reservation via text or phone call 970-264-2167 by 9 am weekdays.

Community Cafe Menu
Thursday, June 1 – Baked cod with broccoli Hollandaise, salad, fresh fruit, and milk.

Friday, June 2 – Sliced ham with cherry sauce, scalloped potatoes, salad, fruit, dinner roll and milk..

Monday, June 4 – French Dip Sandwich w/AuJus on Hoagie Roll, sweet potato fries, garden salad, fruit, chocolate cake, and milk.

Tuesday June 5 – Butternut squash ravioli casserole, wilted spinach and red onion, garden salad, fruit, banana bread and milk.

Wednesday, June 6 – Green chile chicken, pinto beans, cornbread, garden salad, fruit and milk.

Thursday, June 7 – Cajun shrimp with cheesy grits, zucchini and squash saute, garden salad, fruit, blueberry streusel muffins and milk.

Friday, June 8 – Turkey tetrazzini, green beans, dinner roll, 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.

Mobile Food Pantry Service
Mobile Food Pantry Service has been discontinued due to funding shortages. Older adults needing a ride to a local food pantry should contact the Archuleta County MET to schedule a ride with their paratransit service. For more information contact Lavonne at 970-264-2250.

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 1:15pm.

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 4.

We are located at 451 Hot Springs Blvd., in downtown Pagosa Springs. For more information about ASI, please visit http://www.psseniors.org/.

Rosa Chavez

Rose Chavez is Executive Director for Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and Public Health Consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.