Join us at the 21st Annual Spanish Fiesta! This year we are getting things kicked off a bit early with some pre-Fiesta celebrations and free dancing lessons in downtown Pagosa Springs tonight, Thursday, July 27 at 6pm at the San Juan Scenic Overlook located adjacent to Tequila’s along the riverwalk. Free and open to the public, everyone is welcome to join in on the pre fiesta activities.
The Archuleta Seniors Inc. Spanish Fiesta Committee is partnering with the Pagosa Mainstreet board to bring a free popup tango dance lesson to the heart of downtown Pagosa on the eve of the fiesta. Get a small preview of what the fiesta will be on Thursday night and don’t forget to purchase your tickets while you’re at it. We will have a food truck with Mexican snacks (agua frescas, elote, ice cream, paletas, fruit cups and more) available for purchase between 5pm and 7pm.
Then bring yourself and/or your partner and get a few dancing tips from seasoned tango instructors Tina Valles and Dan Sorensen at 6 pm. While much of the music Saturday at the fiesta will be more in the vein of New Mexican style, the tango dancing lessons are intended to pique your interest for all things Latin including dancing, food and vibrant colors. Come experience and see the beautiful embrace and connection of the Argentine Tango and you will similarly experience this Saturday when you dance to the canciones of Los Mitotitos and Al Hurricane Jr. & Band. Come bring the whole family, there is something for everyone!
Proceeds from the Saturday, July 29 Spanish Fiesta will support older adults of Archuleta County through the services of Archuleta Seniors Inc and a BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) youth scholarship fund. Admission is for an afternoon and evening from 3pm to 8pm filled with fun for all.
To purchase tickets visit online at https://givebutter.com/ASISPANISHFIESTA2023 or stop by the Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce, the Choke Cherry Tree or the Pagosa Senior Center located in the Ross Aragon Community Center.
Interested in volunteering or being a sponsor? Please visit http://www.psseniors.org/events-and-fundraisers.html for more information or call 970-264-2167.
Farmers Market Vouchers
Farmers Market Vouchers for seniors are available! If you love to shop at the farmers market, are 60 or older, or if you are 200% of poverty please call Debbie at 970-403-2164 at the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to put your name on the list for $50 in vouchers to redeem for local foods.
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
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. Class is offered Mondays 2:30-3:30pm in the dining hall.
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. They will meet each month from 10:00am – 3:00pm to be creative, share ideas, connect with friends, learn new techniques, share supplies and indulge in a potluck lunch together.
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.
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.
Community Cafe Menu
Thursday, July 27 – Pork red chile Colorado, Roasted Herb Potatoes, Garden Salad, Fruit, Banana Brunch Cake, Milk
Friday, July 28 – Chef Salad with Ham, Turkey, Cheese, Avocado, Egg & Ranch Dressing, Broccoli & Wt.Cheddar Soup, Focaccia Bread, Blueberry Cobbler, Milk
Monday, July 31 – Australian Meat Pie, Broccoli Cheesy Rice, Garden Salad, Australian Chocolate Slice, Kiwi Fruit Salad, Milk and Vegemite.
Tuesday Aug 1 – Grilled ham steak with pineapple sauce, sweet potatoes, garden salad, milk, banana pudding.and milk.
Wednesday, Aug 2 – Fish tacos with cabbage and baja sauce, cilantro rice, garden salad, milk, flan and fruit.
Thursday, Aug 3 – BBQ chicken, creamed corn, southern biscuit, garden salad, milk, peach cobbler and fruit.
Friday, Aug 4 – Minestrone soup with focaccia bread, garden salad, milk, vanilla pudding and fruit.
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.
Covid-19 Test Kits Available
Stop by the Pagosa Senior Center to pick up a pack of 6 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.
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.
Hand & Foot Card Game
Whether you are new to Hand & Foot or interested in learning, please join us most Thursdays at 1:15 at the Senior Center. This card game involves 4 rounds of playing until the final round is reached – some 2 to 3 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.
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.