This year you are invited to the 22nd annual Spanish Fiesta on July 27, sponsored by Archuleta Seniors Inc.
This year we celebrate “La cultura cura!” a transformative health and healing philosophy that recognizes the importance of cultural values, traditions and indigenous practices on the path to healthy development, restoration, and lifelong well-being. Enjoy the 22nd Annual Spanish Fiesta in Pagosa Springs, where Spanish, Mexican, Native American and Anglo cultural traditions intertwine to create the strong heritage we have today here in Southwest Colorado. Food, music, dancing, libations, vendors, color and good company provide the ingredients of a party to delight all the senses and to make memories for a lifetime.
The headliner for the day’s activities will feature the famous New Mexican artist Darren Cordova Y Calor at the Archuleta County fair grounds in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Activities begin at 3pm but come earlier to get your seat and enjoy authentic Hispanic cuisine of southern Colorado and northern New Mexican plus a variety of other food trucks, artisan vendors, music from Candace Vargas and Northern 505, and folklorico dance performances from local artists. We will feature scholarship recipients, the Spanish Fiesta Royalty and the Archuleta County Fair Royalty. Proceeds from this event will support older adults of Archuleta County through the services of Archuleta Seniors Inc and a BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) youth and elder scholarship fund.
Admission is for an afternoon & evening from 2pm to 10pm filled with fun for all. Tickets are available online and will be available starting in June for paper tickets. If you’re interested in volunteering, being a sponsor or vendor please call 970-264-2167 or email Rose Chavez at rosa@psseniors.org
Picnic in the Park Friday May 31, 2024 from 11 am to 1 pm join ASI for a picnic in the park. Join us as we renew a tradition of the past hosting lunch for older adults and community members of all ages in Yamaguchi park 684 S 5th St, Pagosa Springs. Local band Acoustic Picnic will provide music and generate an ambiance of connection and relaxation. All community members are invited to join. We just ask that you please RSVP for lunch by Thursday May 30, 2024 by contacting or texting the ASI office by 9 am at 970-264-2167.
Fraud Prevention Event
Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones by attending a special event on June 6 at 3pm at the Archuleta Senior Center. Presenters from the Archuleta Sheriff’s Office and San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging (SJBAAA) will discuss how to detect, prevent, and report fraud abuse. Archuleta Sheriff Department staff will discuss general fraud targeted to seniors and SJBAAA will cover Medicare fraud.
Medical Monitoring Devices
Archuleta Seniors Inc. provides access to affordable medical monitoring devices to support older adults who are homebound or otherwise need support if they fall or have an emergency that they can immediately contact emergency services. Clients participating in this program can be independent or may have access to a private or family caregiver. An initial nominal fee is required to access the medical monitoring program. ASI also provides limited caregiver support through our congregate dining or grab n go/pickup meal program. These services are available for a suggested donation but no one 60 and older will be turned away for lack of ability to pay. If you are interested in any of these services or have any questions please contact Archuleta Seniors Inc. at 970-264-2167.
Emotional Freedom Technique
June 5 and June 18 sessions at 10 am. The technique is an evidence-based method called “EFT” (Emotional Freedom Technique), which uses acupressure trigger points and elements from other therapeutic practices. Extensive research and over 100 published studies have shown EFT to be effective with lowering both psychological and physiological symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, insomnia, stress, and more. Once you’ve learned EFT, you can use it at any time you need it. Those who utilize the technique often report a reduction in symptoms in the first 90 seconds.
You are invited to join Judith Newman, LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) for an introduction to EFT on May 10 at 1:15 pm. In this hour, you’ll learn the process and have an opportunity to try it out for yourself. Judith has taught and used EFT extensively in her 23 years of private practice and is excited to offer this tool to the community.
You are invited to bring a personal issue/problem/event/challenge about which you feel a high level of anxiety, fear, depression, or nervousness. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being high anxiety), choose something that you would rate above a 7. You will not share details with anyone; however, you will have the opportunity to apply EFT to this issue during the workshop.
At the end of the workshop, you will receive a handout with all the information you need to continue using EFT on your own. After you’ve had a few weeks to practice, you’re invited to a follow-up session on May 24 at 1:15 pm. In this session you’ll be able to ask questions, and we’ll practice a few rounds of EFT to make sure you’re comfortable with your new EFT skills!
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. 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.
Share Lunch and Dine Monday through Friday.
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 11am and 1pm weekly. Pickup is available all week including Fridays.
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, May 30 – Korean Beef over White Rice, Sauteed Snow Peas, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Friday, May 31 – Picnic at Yamaguchi Park: Chicken Salad on Croissant, Deviled Eggs, Broccoli Salad, Assorted Chips, Orange Blossom Cupcakes, Beverages.
Monday, June 3 – Red Curry Cod Fish, Jasmine Rice, Green Beans & Peppers, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Tuesday, June 4 – Pork Tenderloin w/ Blackberry Balsamic Glaze, Roasted Potatoes, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Wednesday, June 5 – Butternut Squash, Mushroom, Sage Lasagna w/ White Sauce, Wilted spinach, Garden Salad, Fruit, Dinner roll, Milk.
Thursday, June 6 – Teriyaki Beef & Peppers, Coconut Rice, Sauteed Snow Peas, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Friday, June 7 – Herbed Chicken & Dumplings, Green Beans, Garden salad, Fruit, 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.
Mobile Food Pantry Service
Older adults needing a ride to a local food pantry should contact the Archuleta County MET to schedule a ride with their paratransit service. For more information contact Lavonne at 970.264.2250.
Mahjong
Mahjong is 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.
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.