During the 21st Annual Pagosa Springs Spanish Fiesta that took place this past July 29, community members of all ages joined together with Archuleta Seniors Inc. to celebrate the rich Hispanic, Native and Anglo heritage of Archuleta County with music, libations, dancing, vendors, color and more. Along with all the wonderful memories made over $20,000 was fundraised to benefit the older adults of Archuleta County along with 15% of net proceeds or just over $3000 going into the newly established Intergenerational Fiesta Hispanic and BIPOC Scholarship Fund.
Scholarships specifically for BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) or Hispanic youth going on to education beyond high school were part of fundraising historically by the Hispanic community. There have not been scholarships dedicated exclusively to BIPOC or Hispanic youth in Archuleta County since at least 2006. Those under 18 who come from underserved families are approximately 17% or 663 youth, who could compete for the scholarships. Reestablishing the scholarship program helps support the educational aspirations of these youth.
Archuleta Seniors Inc. proposed to collaborate with the community; the path forward is intergenerational; the essence being our elderly community members working with our younger community members i.e., students, to create the future by investing in education for the underserved from our county.
In the past, Spanish Fiestas were one of the ways funds were raised for the scholarships. Several Archuleta County entities and individuals had interest in re-establishing this annual event but the explosive growth in the county in the last 20 years had diverted resources and attention. Archuleta Seniors Inc. was successful in bringing all those individuals and entities together to form the Spanish Fiesta Committee in January of 2023.
Archuleta Seniors Inc. has agreed to cover the upfront costs of the 2023 and future fiestas and will share the proceeds with the scholarship program.
On Monday August 28, the LPEA Roundup Foundation board announced that they would fully fund Archuleta Seniors Inc. Spanish Fiesta committee Intergenerational Fiesta Hispanic & BIPOC Scholarship Fund. With these additional funds the committee is now set to award five $1000 scholarships for the 2024 school year.
The Archuleta Seniors Inc. Spanish Fiesta committee is inviting community members to help form the Intergenerational Fiesta Hispanic & BIPOC Scholarship Fund committee this fall and winter. If you are interested please contact executive director Rose Chavez at rosa@psseniors.org for more information and additional details.
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. Mats and chairs will be provided; it’s optional to bring a blanket, and please wear comfortable clothing. Classes are free but donations are welcomed. Class is offered Mondays 2:30 pm-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. 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.
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.
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. To reserve your meal for the day please make your reservation via text or phone call 970-264-2167 by 9am weekdays.
Community Cafe Menu
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.
Monday Sept 11 – Chicken Dijon, Asparagus, Garden Salad, Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp, Milk.
Tuesday, Sept 12 – Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers, Parmesan Zucchini, Focaccia Bread, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Wednesday, Sept 13 –.Chipotle-Lime Crusted Baked Tilapia, Brown Rice, Garden Salad, Fruit Salad, Milk.
Thursday, Sept 14 – Harvest Chicken Salad Wrap, Macaroni Salad, Garden Salad, Fruit & Yogurt, Milk.
Friday, Sept 15 – Vegetable Lasagna Garlic Bread, Garden Salad, Fruit Carrot Cake, 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.
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.
Mahjong
Mahjongis 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 pm.
Medicare
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.
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/.
Rose Chavez is Executive Director for Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and Public Health Consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.