Spring is in the Air here in Archuleta County. It’s a time to appreciate and renew our dedication to protecting this beautiful planet we call home. Since 1970 we have set aside April 22 as Earth Day to celebrate and learn about ways we can honor and preserve Earths gifts & natural resources for our children, grandchildren & future generations.
Pagosa’s own Southwest Organization for Sustainability is hosting and Earth Day Celebration this Sunday April 21 in Centennial Park at the Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership site from 10am to 2 pm. Information can be found at https://sospagoa.org. Archuleta Seniors Inc. is excited to be a part of this educational and fun experience for people of all ages. Stop by our booth to and enter our PRIZE DRAWING. Learn about how we grow fresh local produce and feature it in our seasonal menu and meal program for older adults. Complete our Strategic Planning Survey and learn about our programs & services available to our 60 and better community.
Here are some other easy ways to get involved in the Spirit of Earth Day. ORGANIZE A CLEAN UP – Join the town of Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County on May 3rd for a free dump day at multiple locations around town and at their annual community-wide clean-up even followed by a BBQ, Ice Cream contest and free concert in Yamaguchi Park on May 4th. Details can be found at https://archuletacounty.org/728/Big-Spring-Clean. TEND OR START A COMMUNITY GARDEN – PLPOA Garden Committee will meet at 5:30pm on May 2nd at 230 Port Ave at the garden by the gazebo. REDUCE – REUSE – RECYCLE Reduce, reusing and recycling are important aspects of conservation. ENJOY NATURE – What better way to celebrate Earth Day than by enjoying and appreciating what nature has to offer! Earth Day is about coming together to spread awareness and inspiration and to make small changes that will make a larger impact over time. Contact ASI for more information on any of the above listed events or activities at 970-264-2167
Survey and Focus Group Participants Sought by Archuleta Seniors, Inc. Community members are encouraged by Archuleta Seniors, Inc. (ASI) to provide feedback on the needs of local older adult residents and to comment on how well ASI is meeting these needs. Several focus group discussions and an online survey are part of a countywide effort to gather data that will inform the ASI Board of Directors as it plans for ASI’s senior services provision for the coming three years. “We want to hear from anyone and everyone interested in maximizing the services and supports available to our community’s seniors,” says ASI Executive Director Rose Chavez. “It is important that all impacted voices are heard. To this end, we are hosting several focus group conversations, and are making the online survey available in both Spanish and English.”
Focus group discussions (sign-up requested) will be held on April 17 (9 am to 11 am and 1:15 pm to 3:15 pm) and April 18 (3 pm to 5 pm). Both clients and non-clients of ASI and the Pagosa Springs Senior Center are welcome to participate; refreshments and door prizes will be provided. Those interested in completing a short survey may visit www.psseniors.org, or contact ASI for a printed version of the survey instrument: In Spanish – https://forms.gle/vBDSkEksaZVZmp6DA and in English – https://forms.gle/D7ftzcJFA8HNvrTA8 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.” Services’ delivery is driven by the deeply-held value that seniors have an important role in the community, and includes provision of meals, social and educational activities, monitoring systems and other caregiver supports, and local referrals. For further information, to sign up to attend a focus group gathering, or to request a printed survey document, contact Rose Chavez at ASI, 970-264-2167 or rosa@psseniors.org
Archuleta Seniors Discount Card for Those 60 & Better
The Pagosa Seniors Center continues its annual tradition of providing a local discount card for those ages 60 and better. The discount card encourages seniors to support local recreational, restaurant, medical and retail services by obtaining a senior discount card for a small fee that serves as a fundraiser for Archuleta Seniors Inc. These local businesses provide a discount ranging from 5% to 20% off services. For more information visit our website: http://www.psseniors.org/discount-club.html or stop by our offices at 451 Hot Springs Blvd to pick up your card. For more information contact Archuleta Seniors Inc at 970-264-2167.
Bingo
The Pagosa Senior Center will be hosting bingo twice a month on Friday afternoons from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm on March 15, April 5, and April 19. The price to participate is free and we ask you bring yourself and a friend for an hour 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. Seats are first come first serve. For more information contact us at 970.264.2167.
Tai Chi Thursdays The Pagosa Senior Center is offering T’ai Chi Chih with accredited instructor Patti Popovich each Thursday in the new year from 1:30 pm to 2:30 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 is not a martial art, but rather a tool for self-healing. Softness, flow and effortlessness are the guiding principles in this practice. All classes will be free for older adults (age 55 and better) and will last approximately 1 hour in the dining hall. No special special clothing or equipment is required. 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. Hold space and show up for sacred conversation. The meeting will be held at the Pagosa Senior Center in the dining hall. Snacks will be provided.
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 Friday
Open to All. Join us at the Silver Fox’s Den aka Community Cafe in person for daily hot/cold meals Mondays through Fridays downtown at the Ross Aragon Community Center between 11 am and 1 pm weekly. Pickup is available all week including Fridays. For those 60 or older we request a suggested donation of $6.00, but no one will be turned away. There is a $10.50 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. Our menu changes daily.
Community Cafe Menu
Thursday, April 18 – Chicken & Dumplings, Roasted Cauliflower, Garden Salad, Fruit, Blueberry Muffin, Milk.
Friday, April 19 – Ginger-Lime Shrimp, Grits, Rainbow Chard, Garden Salad, Fruit, Fortune Cookies, Milk.
Monday, April 22 – Pork Posole, Tortilla, Garden Salad, Fruit, Flan, Milk.
Tuesday, April 23 – Mahi-Mahi-w/ Mango Salsa, Quinoa Rice Pilaf, Garden Salad, Fruit, Cream Puffs, Milk.
Wednesday, April 24 – Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tacos w/ Avocado, Sour Cream, Cilantro Rice, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Thursday, April 25 – Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans, Garden Salad, Fruit, Cookies, Milk.
Friday, April 26 – Chicken Piccata, Broccoli, Dinner Roll, Garden Salad, Fruit, Vanilla-Honey Yogurt, Milk.
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.
Hand & Foot Card Game
Whether you are new to Hand & Foot or interested in learning, please join us most Tuesdays 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.
ASI Board of Directors has multiple vacant positions open. Terms are 3 years with an option to renew for an additional term. Potential candidates should be at least 21 years of age or older and must have a passion for adult and aging services.
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.