Our guest columnist this week is Archuleta Senior Inc grower and farmer Kelle Carter Bruno. Kelle joined the ASI team this past August 2023, when ASI purchased through ARPA grant dollars a 42-foot growing dome from local business Growing Spaces Greenhouses. The dome is located on the Growing Spaces campus in Pagosa Springs.
The purpose of the dome is to provide a year-round location for fresh fruit and vegetable production to supply the Pagosa Senior Center Community Cafe which serves the community five days a week, providing tasty and nutrient dense seasonally inspired meals through on-site dining, grab-and-go and Meals-on-Wheels.
“I began working as a horticulturist for the Archuleta Senior Center this past August with the goal of supplementing the current food program by providing fresh, nutrient dense, locally grown produce to the kitchen. This position was made possible by a grant from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which President Biden signed on March 11, 2021, to combat the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the $1.9 trillion package, $1.43 billion is earmarked for the Older Americans Act (OAA), and the national network of Area Agencies on Aging. The San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging, Inc., is working in partnership with Archuleta Seniors, Inc. (ASI), to provide a greenhouse garden to support the senior center and the meals on wheels program.
“Growing food has been a passion of mine for close to two decades. I have a vivid memory of pulling a carrot out of the ground at the age of 17 and feeling like I had answered a question I didn’t know I had asked. Like most gardeners, the end of August is a busy time for me. The garden is exploding and those green tomatoes are finally turning lovely shades of red, purple, and orange. It’s a time to cook, eat, share, and preserve the harvest for the coming winter.
“This August, I found myself starting seeds and making preparations for a new growing season. The act of placing a seed into the soil is always one of trust and hope. As the season shifted to fall, a time I am usually putting my garden to bed, I found myself beginning a new gardening experiment. Which plants would produce at 7,500 feet above sea level during the cold winter months? I discussed the needs of the kitchen with the ASI chef, Cynthia Sperry, and paired her desires with the plants that are hardy enough to grow through the cold season. We decided to try: collard greens, cilantro, cucumbers, radicchio, dark purple and red lettuces, spinach, fennel bulbs, green and red kale, multi-colored chard, dill, and cherry tomatoes.
“My seeds began to sprout in September. I pulled out the spent plants from the summer season and transplanted the new plant starts. So far I have produced: 45 lbs of cucumbers, 50 lbs of lettuce, 33 lbs of kale, 26 lbs of chard, 15 lbs of fennel bulbs, and 15 lbs of collard greens; in addition to culinary herbs like lemongrass, rosemary and dill. The cilantro is used in guacamole that tops Baja-style fish tacos; rosemary adds flavor to vegetarian navy bean and artichoke casserole; the lettuce, cucumbers, and grape tomatoes are incorporated in the fresh salad bar; lemongrass is added to red curry cod fish and Moroccan stew and the kale and chard have been sauteed up as a nutritious side dish.
“It’s bitterly cold this morning as I head inside the dome to check on the plants, my car thermometer registers a chilly -13ºF. Inside the dome it is warm, humid, and 45*F. The condensation has frozen to the window and the trim on the door. The plants are working hard; they are not loving these temperature drops but they are slowly growing. I am adjusting my thought process to harvesting and washing greens while there is snow on the ground. It is incredible that the Growing Spaces growing domes provide the ability to allow for vegetable production in the winter! I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the community in this way and to learn from the plants, as they are always good teachers.”
If you would like to sample these locally grown vegetables and freshly prepared meals, stop by the Community Cafe at 451 Hot Springs Blvd M-Th to dine in or M-F grab n go. All ages welcome. Please make your reservation for lunch by 9 am each day by contacting us at 970-264-2167.
Mindful Drawing
Mindful Drawing is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. 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.
Seniors & Locals Matinee Every Monday at 2pm
The Pagosa Senior Center is teaming up with the Liberty Theatre to invite seniors and locals to come downtown to the Liberty Theatre 418 Pagosa Street to watch a matinee every Monday at 2 pm for a limited time (starts Jan. 5). Tickets will cost $10 and will include a free small drink and small popcorn. For more information call 970-264-7469.
Tai Chi and Mindfulness Meditation
The Pagosa Senior Center is offering T’ai Chi Chih with accredited instructor Patti Popovich starting January 4, 2023 and continuing each Thursday in the new year from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm and longtime local practitioner Udgar Parsons will offer a mindfulness based meditation classes from 3-4 pm in the dining hall to support older adults who want to discover purpose and fulfillment in this transitional phase of life. For more information call 970-264-2167.
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 meetings are held in the dining hall; snacks will be provided.
Community Cafe
Open to All. 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 $10.50 charge for guests under the age of 60. Meals include a main course, side dish, fruit/dessert, garden salad plus beverage. Some popular menu items include: Frito chile pie, pork tenderloin with harvest chutney, Singaporean pork ribs, vegetarian lasagna, Hawaiian shrimp with coconut rice and always a beautiful green salad. Many of our items are locally sourced and organic.
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. Our menu changes daily.
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, January 18 -.Stuffed Bell Peppers (beef), Roasted Cauliflower, Dinner Roll, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk
Friday, January 19 -.Mushroom, Broccoli & Cheese Quiche, Wilted Spinach, Garden Salad, Fruit, Chocolate Hazelnut Torte, Milk.
Monday, January 22 – Beef Spaghetti w/ Garlic Bread, Peas & Pearl Onions, Garden Salad, Fruit, German Chocolate Cake, Milk
Tuesday, January 23 – Moroccan Stew, Hot Artichoke & Spinach Dip, Pita Chips, Garden Salad,Vanilla Yogurt & Fruit, Milk
Wednesday, January 24 – Chicken Fajitas with Tortillas, Sour Cream, Salsa & Guacamole, Garden Salad, Fruit, Flan, Milk
Thursday, January 25 – Crispy Cod Fish with Tartar Sauce, Green Beans, Dinner Roll, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk
Friday, January 26 – Pork Kielbasa, German Potato Salad, Sweet & Sour Cabbage, Garden Salad, Fruit, Bavarian Cream Puffs, Milk
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/.
Rose Chavez is Executive Director for Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and Public Health Consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.