Friday, August 25 was an evening of celebration and giving thanks for the fifty plus volunteers and their families that joined the staff of Archuleta Seniors Inc. and their board of directors for dinner and a presentation to thank them for their countless hours of support that makes the organization so meaningful to so many in Archuleta County. During 2022, volunteers provided an estimated 2,500 hours in kitchen/administrative tasks, delivering meals, providing for games and activities, and fundraising.
ASI’s mission is “To promote independence and advance community resilience by empowering individuals who are 60 years old and better, their families, and other community stakeholders.” The organization and its programming work directly to improve the wellbeing of older adults and the community in areas widely considered to be social determinants of health – nutrition security, social connections, physical/built environment and housing – and access (transportation) to services.
ASI provides a safety net for those who can quickly find themselves living in peril, providing home-cooked quality meals, supplemental nutrition (e.g. “Boost”), at-home wellness checks and monitoring devices, educational workshops and resources/materials, and congregate social activities. Assisting all individuals in need ages 55+ years, the desired outcomes for this work are for at-risk older adults to:
- Remain in their homes
- Have regular and reliable nutritional sustenance, and access/referrals to other resources meeting basic needs
- Retain physical and emotional wellness, and
- Establish/sustain social connectedness.
Further, ASI provides access/referrals for caregivers of at-risk older adults to various supports that sustain them in their caregiving role. No other organization in the community provides similar daily services.
Chef Cynthia Sperry devised a delicious Greek themed menu celebrating the heart healthy, nutritious and delicious mediterranean fare including the following menu for appetizer roasted red pepper hummus with garlic naan bread and stuffed grape leaves, salad of mixed greens with red bell pepper, onion, kalamata olives, cucumber, heirloom tomatoes, artichoke hearts and feta cheese, for the main course yogurt marinated Greek chicken, spanakopitas, lemon orzo and tzatziki sauce; vegetarian meal centered a giant stuffed portabella mushroom and for desert a pistachio baklava cheesecake all made in house for our guests.
Executive director Rose Chavez welcomed and thanked volunteers while staff Barbara Noriega and Janet Monks provided the guests with some short anecdotes made by the volunteers who had shared about why they are so motivated to volunteer with ASI. Of note were a few volunteers that have been with the organization for almost 20 years that were acknowledged and thanked for their selfless services for so many years. In reflecting on the past year, Archuleta Seniors Inc. is exceedingly grateful for all the support received from within and beyond the community, ensuring continued provision of critical services while positioning the organization for planned expansion of programming in coming months.
All the guests enjoyed mingling with each other, enjoying beverages, dinner and dessert. Archuleta Seniors Inc. could not be of service in this community without our volunteers and community members supporting us every step of the way. We are blessed to do the work we do and call Pagosa home. Thank you community and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you or someone you know is in need of our services or you would like to volunteer. Please contact us at 970.264.2167 or stop by the Pagosa Senior Center at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. in the Ross Aragon Community Center. .
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 Wednesdays at 1:15pm 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, 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 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. 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, please send your request to copenhavercreative@gmail.com and you will receive notification each month of the upcoming meeting.
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. There is a $10.00 charge for guests under the age of 60. 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) with you on any of your local adventures in Pagosa Country.
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, Aug 31 – Chicken Pesto Wrap, Orecchiette Pasta Salad, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk, Lemon Bars.
Friday, Sept 1 – BBQ Country Ribs, Macaroni Salad, Apple Crisp, Garden Salad, Fruit, and Milk.
Monday Sept 4 – Beef Frito Pie, Coleslaw, Blueberry Cobbler, Garden Salad, Fruit, and Milk.
Tuesday, Sept 5 – Codfish Veracruz, Quinoa Pilaf, Broccoli, Garden Salad, Fruit, and Milk.
Wednesday, Sept 6 – Chicken Curry w/ Rice, Roasted Cauliflower, Chai Pudding, Garden Salad, Fruit, and Milk.
Thursday, Sept 7 – Stuffed Portabella Mushroom Cap, Naan Bread, Red Pepper Hummus, Carrot Cake, Garden Salad, Fruit, and Milk.
Friday, Sept 8 – Grilled Turkey,Swiss,Tomato Sandwich, Sweet Potato Fries, Garden Salad, Fruit, and Milk.
Grab-N-Go & Dine In Meals
Reservations and cancellations are required. Please call or text by 9:00 am the morning of the day you want to dine in or pick up a meal. A suggested donation of $10.00 helps to sustain our program. No one will be turned away for their inability to donate. For ages 59 and younger, the cost is $10.00 also. Please call or text us at 970-264-2167 to make a reservation.
Please consider donating to Archuleta Seniors Inc. You may mail your donation to PO BOX 3444, Pagosa Springs CO 81147 or please visit our website: http://www.psseniors.org/ (donation button). Donation checks can be written to: Archuleta Seniors, Inc. We are located at 451 Hot Springs Blvd., in downtown Pagosa Springs. For more information about ASI, please visit http://www.psseniors.org/.