A sunny day is a good day, right? Did you know there is a connection between your mood and Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin?
Join the Pagosa Senior Center for Fresh Conversations to learn more about this connection and how to get more Vitamin D into your diet. Fresh Conversations is a monthly discussion about relevant health information for adults 60 years and older. You will get a newsletter with resources and tips to take with you as well as a tasting of some delicious, nutritious food.
Please join us Wednesday morning July 31 at 10 am at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. in the Pagosa Senior Center dining hall to learn more and gather with community members.
This is a free seminar.
Tickets On Sale for Spanish Fiesta
Tickets are on sale for the 22nd Annual Spanish Fiesta! You are invited to the Spanish Fiesta on July 27, sponsored by Archuleta Seniors Inc and the Spanish Fiesta Committee. 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. This year is the 22nd anniversary of the Spanish Fiesta in Pagosa Springs after being dormant for some 20 years before it was revived in 2023. The Spanish Fiesta Committee of Archuleta Seniors Inc is working to make this year memorable.
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 3 pm 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 2 pm to 10 pm filled with fun for all.
Tickets are available online at https://givebutter.com/SpanishFiesta2024 or stop by the Pagosa Senior Center at 451 Hot Springs Blvd to purchase paper tickets.
Interested in volunteering, being a sponsor or vendor please call 970.264.2167 or email Rose Chavez at rosa@psseniors.org
Bingo
The Pagosa Senior Center will be hosting bingo twice a month on Friday afternoons from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm on July 26, Aug 9 and Aug 23 The price to participate is free and all we ask is 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 from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm (meet at the gazebo in Yamaguchi park 684 S 5th St, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147) 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 at the park through October. 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.
Medical Monitoring Devices & Caregiver Supports Available 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.
Farmers Market Vouchers
Farmers Market Vouchers for older adults (age 60+) are available! If you love to shop at the Pagosa Springs Farmers Market, are 60 or older, or if you are 200% of poverty please call Deb Herera of the San Juan Area Agency on Aging at 970-403-2164 to put your name on the list for $50 in vouchers to redeem for local foods. Then visit the Pagosa Farmers Market any Saturday during the growing season to redeem your vouchers with local food artisans and growers in southwest Colorado and northern New Mexico. The Pagosa Farmers Market in 2024 will now be located in their new location at the Tennyson Sculpture Garden & Park on Lewis St, each Saturday from 9am to 1pm.
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. Meals include a main course, side dish, fruit/dessert, garden salad plus beverage.
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, July 18 – Chicken & Broccoli Crepes, Cauliflower, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Friday, July 19 – Vegetable Lasagna with Marinara Sauce, Garlic Bread, Garden Salad, Fruit, Brownie, Milk.
Monday, July 22 – Jerk Chicken w. Pineapple & Peppers, Quinoa Rice, Garden Salad, Fruit, Jamaican Bread Pudding Milk.
Tuesday, July 23 – Pork Kielbasa, Sweet & Sour Cabbage, Potato Pancakes, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Wednesday, July 24 – Artichoke, Mushroom & Sundried Tomatoes Pasta w/ Alfredo Sauce, Garlic Bread, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Thursday, July 25 – Crispy Cod Fish w/ Tartar sauce, Green Beans, Garden Salad, Pistachio Fruit Salad,Fruit, Milk.
Friday, July 26 – Korean Beef w/ Basmati Rice, Broccoli, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
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.
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.
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.