The Rocky Mountain Health Foundation board has approved $10,000 for Year 2 of the Basic Needs Fund grant awarded to Archuleta Seniors Inc. Basic needs funds help to ensure that individuals and families are housed, have access to transportation, feel safe, and do not go hungry.
Archuleta Seniors Inc. funds are used for general operating expenses facilitating our meals (congregate, meals on wheels and caregiver), social and isolation prevention services at low and no cost rates. Rocky Mountain Health Foundation also understands that staff are the most precious resource for any organization. Therefore, they made an additional restricted grant of $1,000 to help support the emotional and physical well-being of ASI staff. In past years staff have been awarded these funds and have enjoyed a day trip on the Durango Silverton railroad and have been allowed personal discretion to purchase items that support self care.
ASI staff and board of directors thanks the Rocky Mountain Health Foundation for their generous support of older adults in Archuleta County.
ASI Planning Christmas Party December 20
The community is invited to attend a casual and festive Christmas party at the Pagosa Senior Center on Wednesday, December 20, from 11am to 2pm. Come for lunch and stay for a joyful time together. Plans are in the works to have music, and we will follow lunch with hot coffee served alongside house made holiday desserts. We are planning a pseudo snow fight, possibly some shenanigans with Santa Claus and a few door prizes to jazz up the moments we share together. Join us for lunch, making a reservation before that day or by 9am Wednesday morning by calling or texting 970-261-2167.
December Duo Art Classes
The second art class will take place on Thursday, December 14th. We will be making a globe out of old Christmas cards. This involves cutting 20 circles, all the same size and gluing them together in a specified way. Easy to do and the results are gorgeous so come join in on the fun. Both classes will begin at 1:15 and are free to attend. All supplies will be provided. No reservations are required but space is limited so be sure to be there by 1:15.
Our teacher will be Denise Fisk, who is a retired elementary art teacher from Iowa. She loves sharing art techniques with her classes. So come to the senior center with a friend and see how your old Christmas cards can be turned into useful pieces of art!
Mather D.I.T. Art Kits Register by January 24
Learn. Connect. Create: Introducing the Do-It-Together Art Community In A Box, Get creative without leaving home! We’re continuing our unique free program for those 55 and better. Explore the simple elegance of printmaking, along with weekly online conversations with a community of peers. Every participant receives a complimentary Art Kit in the mail with the materials and step-by-step instructions for creating six unique printmaking projects, including:
Relief Printing
Collagraph
Eco Printing
and more…
Get instructions for each project in free virtual learning sessions. And if you want to ask questions, build lasting connections, or share your work, Mather has a dedicated Facebook Community Page for participants to ensure the creativity doesn’t stop once a project is finished. This program is open (but not limited to) to those who have already participated in our Fiber Arts D.I.T. Kit. Sign up to try this completely new kit! Sign up today: https://www.mather.com/programs/dit-art-kits —space is limited, and registration closes January 24. The kits will ship in late January, and online sessions start on February 13.
Senior Conversations
Join us Mondays 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
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. The themes for the class will include physical and mental well-being utilizing movement, meditation, and breathing practices. Mats and chairs will be provided; it’s optional to bring a blanket, and please wear comfortable clothing. Class is offered Mondays 2:30 pm-3:30 pm 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. 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 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 along with hand tips & tricks for scrapbooking.
Share Lunch and Dine Monday through Thursday
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 9am weekdays.
Community Cafe Menu
Thursday, December 14 – Honey Garlic Chicken, Fried Rice, Spring Rolls, Garden Salad, Fruit, Vanilla Yogurt, Milk.
Friday, December 15 – Chipotle Lime Tilapia, Jasmine Rice, Sauteed Kale, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk, Cookies.
Monday, December 18 – Greek Spanakopita Pie with FIlo, Cauliflower Rice, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk, Carrot Cake
Tuesday, December 19 – Cod & Shrimp Veracruz, , Roasted Cauliflower, Garden Salad, Fruit & Cottage cheese, Milk.
Wednesday, December 20 – Beef Fajitas w/ Peppers, Onions, Tomatoes & Flour Tortillas Sour Cream & Guacamole, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk
Thursday, December 21 – Turkey Breast w/ Stuffing, Gravy,Sweet Potatoes, Cranberry sauce, Garden Salad, Raspberry Delight, Milk
Friday, December 22 – Sliced Ham with Apricot Glaze, Scalloped Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Garden Salad, Fruit, 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.
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.
Zentangle
The Zentangle® Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. It was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. “Zentangle” is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at zentangle.com or join our friendly instructor Roberta Strickland, CZT. 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 to join us, but we kindly ask you to please bring an adult chaperone with you..
Support Our Seniors
Please support our ongoing operations and programming that provide critical services to some of the most vulnerable in Archuleta County. 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/.
Another Way to Donate
Are you 70 and half years old or better? Do you have an IRA from which you need to take a distribution? Did you know you can make charitable donations directly from your IRA without paying taxes on the distribution, up to $100,000 per year? The donation from the account would be payable to Archuleta Seniors Inc and sent to PO Box 344, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147. This gift option is called the IRA charitable rollover or qualified charitable distribution (QCD).
Rose Chavez is Executive Director for Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and Public Health Consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.