The Community Foundation of the San Luis Valley along with the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), are working together to administer infrastructure grants to small community based organizations like Archuleta Seniors Inc. that have a track record for providing effective, culturally responsive, and relevant programs and services to communities who have historically been underrepresented, underserved or under resourced in Colorado. These funds are to be used for one or more of the following eligible projects:
- Data technology needs including data collection and technology infrastructure
- Professional development for staff and board members
- Strategic planning and organizational development for capacity building, fundraising and other services
- Communications
- Existing program expansion, development or evaluation.
Funds are not eligible to be used on the following expenses: capital improvement projects, real estate or land acquisition, payment of debt, advocacy or lobbying. Organizing, and endowments or reserves. Archuleta Seniors Inc is a recipient of $14,000 in DOLA funds to support the development of a five year strategic plan. The ASI board of directors, staff and Pagosa community will work together with a facilitator to engage in the strategic planning process throughout 2024. For more information contact ASI executive director Rose Chavez rosa@psseniors.org
Healthy Aging & Yoga Therapy Class Series
This winter, a Healthy Aging Yoga Series will be offered as a hybrid class at the Pagosa Springs Senior Center on Mondays from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Classes will be structured by therapeutic yoga tools and techniques with chair movement, standing stretches, gentle postures, breathing practices and reflective meditative moments. Monthly themes for the series will include topics such as sustainable strength for healthy aging individuals, brain health, heart & cardiovascular health, mental & emotional well-being, community connections, and stress management to name a few. Classes will be educational for participants to utilize practices in daily life and are meant for all levels of experience with yoga. The class is hosted by local yoga therapist AJ Connors, with a hybrid focus for the winter months, blending in-person, online, and occasionally recorded classes. Zoom sessions will be streamed at the Senior Center to provide the community experience to practice together or can be accessed at home with weather as a factor. Mats and chairs will be provided at the Senior Center, some blocks and theraband are available too. The addition of yoga props is always welcomed. Requesting individuals new to joining the series to arrive early for intake inquiries and to please communicate with AJ directly by emailing ajconnorslove@gmail.com.
Yoga Therapy Monthly Themes
January – Healthy Aging & Brain Health
February – Heart Health Month & National Cancer Prevention Month.
March – Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month & Brain Injury/Health Month.
April – Stress Management Month, Cancer Control & Parkinson’s Awareness Month.
May – Mental Health Awareness Month & Older Americans Month, Stroke & High Blood Pressure Awareness.
June – Alzheimer’s & Brain Health Awareness Month.
Seniors & Locals Matinee Every Monday at 2 pm 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. Come enjoy downtown Pagosa! For more information call 970-264-7469.
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.
Friday Fun
New Bingo Games Twice A Month! The Pagosa Senior Center will be hosting bingo twice a month on Friday afternoons from 1:15 pm to 2:30 pm continuing February 9 and February 23. The price to participate is free and we ask you bring yourself and a friend for a few hours of joyful fellowship. We will provide prizes from local businesses for all winners and snacks will also be provided. No RSVP required, just show up. All ages welcome but we ask those 18 and younger to come with an adult chaperone. For more information contact us at 970.264.2167.
Tai Chi and Mindfulness Meditation
On Thursdays, Senior Center will be 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. Tai Chi Chih and mindfulness based meditation are not martial arts, but rather tools for self-healing. Softness, flow and effortlessness are the guiding principles in these practices. All classes will be free for older adults (age 60 and better) and will last approximately 1 hour in the dining hall. No special special clothing or equipment is required for either class. 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 meeting will be held at the Pagosa Senior Center in the dining hall, snacks will be provided.
Share Lunch and Dine Monday through Thursday
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.
Community Cafe Menu
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
Monday, January 29 – BBQ Pulled Pork, Creamed Corn, Southern Biscuit, Garden Salad, Cottage cheese & Fruit, Milk.
Tuesday, January 30 – Beef Chili & Beans w/ Cheese, Cornbread, Peach Cobbler, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Wednesday, January 31 – Baked Cod, Broccoli Hollandaise, Dinner Roll, Garden Salad, Fruit, Bread Pudding w/Rum Sauce, Milk.
Thursday, February 1 – Thai Chicken with Peanut Sauce With Snap Peas, Brown & Wild Rice, Garden Salad, Mango Coconut Bread Pudding and Milk.
Friday, February 2 – Potato Leek Soup with Ciabatta Bread, Cottage Cheese, Fruit, Garden Salad, 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.
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.
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.
Bridge
The longest played bridge game in Archuleta county takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:15 pm every week. Bridge is a four-player card game with partners sitting opposite each other around a table. It is a trick taking card game using a standard 52-card deck. Come alone or bring a partner.
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.
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.