This 2024 growing season, Archuleta Seniors Inc. and Terrawalk Farms are partnering with Nourish Colorado to bring low-income older adults (age 55 and older) in Archuleta County locally grown, seasonal, organic produce shares through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). CSAs or farm memberships are a means of creating a mutually beneficial connection between consumers and their farmers. These partnerships result in a bi-monthly bounty of vegetables for the subscriber.
This past Thursday, ASI executive director Rose Chavez and Janet Monks senior program and administrative manager, alongside Archuleta County Public Health Department WIC coordinator Inez Lobato traveled out on highway 151 just past Chimney Rock to Terrawalk Farms, a new small family farm located on the western side of Archuleta County.
We were greeted warmly by Chris Frederics (owner of Terrawalk) and Roger Candalaria (owner of Ranchito Alegre and the land where Terrawalk farm is located) once we arrived on site. Also onsite was Gretchen Groenke, nutrition program coordinator for Nourish Colorado. We all gathered together on that beautiful summer day to enjoy a site visit to the farm and enjoy lunch where all the beautiful produce is grown for WIC and ASI clients.
During the visit, we had the opportunity to see all the beautiful gardens and high tunnels growing with a bounty of fresh seasonal vegetables. We also heard from Chris and Roger how they met several years ago when Chris had moved his family from the Front Range to Pagosa. Kendall McAllister, a long time Pagosa resident and owner of Canyon Farms is responsible for bringing this unlikely duo together and we couldn’t be more grateful for all the magic they are creating to support our local food system in Archuleta County. In fact, this is the first year that all the produce grown at Terra Walk farm is going directly to residents of Archuleta County.
Participating clients of Archuleta Seniors Inc. receive a fresh local organic produce box alternating weeks throughout the growing season which started June 2, 2024 to October 18, 2024. Clients pick up their bi-monthly fresh produce boxes onsite at the Pagosa Senior Center. Clients receive a call to remind them to pick up their boxes.
In addition to their weekly food, clients also receive a quarterly newsletter that includes simple relevant recipes, musings, and photos of the farm they are supporting. Archuleta Seniors Inc. would like to give a big shout out to our hardworking farmers who make this program possible and all the clients who are enjoying this beautiful food. We would also like to thank Nourish Colorado for funding this year’s program. We hope to continue to offer this fantastic nutrition program to our community for many years to come. For more information contact Archuleta Seniors Inc. at 970-264-2167.
Meals On Wheels & Admin Volunteers Needed
The Community Cafe at the Pagosa Senior Center is requesting volunteers to help with Meals on Wheels deliveries, help with our front desk pickup meals and in the office in administrative tasks. Please call or text us at 970-264-2167 to volunteer or for more information.
Emotional Freedom Technique
Join Judith Newman at the Pagosa Senior Center (451 Hot Springs Blvd) the second Wednesday of each month Sept 11 and Oct 9 to learn and/or refresh your “Emotional Freedom Technique” aka Tapping skills to support yourself with selfcare, relief from anxiety and community support. All classes start at 10 am and last 45 minutes to an hour. Please bring a friend or come alone. All are welcome.
Healthy Aging & Yoga Therapy
The Healthy Aging Yoga Series continues to be offered in person at the Pagosa Senior Center on Mondays from 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm and will be structured by therapeutic yoga tools and techniques with chair movement, standing stretches, gentle postures, breathing practices and reflective meditative moments. We request that individuals new to the series arrive early for intake inquiries and to please communicate with AJ directly by email at ajconnorslove@gmail.com.
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. 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.
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
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.
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.
Community Cafe Menu
Thursday, August 22 – New Orleans Corn & Sausage Bisque, Simmered Greens, Southern Biscuit, Garden Salad, Pistachio Fruit Salad, Milk.
Friday, August 23 – Teriyaki Beef & Peppers, Coconut Rice, Garden Salad, Vanilla Yogurt, Fruit, Milk.
Monday, August 26 – Ham Steak with Cherry Glaze, Scalloped Potatoes, Garden Salad, Fruit, Brownies, and Milk.
Tuesday, August 27 – Korean Beef with Cilantro Rice, Sauteed Snow Peas, Garden Salad, Fruit, Banana Bread, and Milk.
Wednesday, August 28 – Baja Fish Tacos, Cabbage Slaw, Zesty Black Beans, Garden Salad, Fruit, Key Lime Pie, and Milk.
Thursday, August 29 – Crispy Cod Fish with Tartar Sauce, Glazed Carrots, Wilted Spinach, Garden Salad, Fruit, Bavarian Cream Puffs, and Milk.
Friday, August 30 – Vegetable Lasagna with Spinach & White Sauce, Garlic Bread, Garden Salad, Fruit, Sunrise Muffin, 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 $6.00 helps to sustain our program. No one will be turned away for their inability to donate. For ages 59 and younger, the cost is $10.50 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.
Covid-19 Test Kits
The Pagosa Senior Center will no longer be distributing free covid-19 test kits. Please stop by the Archuleta County Public Health Department at 502 S. 8th St., Pagosa Springs, CO. These kits are available to anyone in the public that needs affordable access for health promotion and disease prevention.
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. Please stop by our offices at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. to pick up an application or call 970-264-2167 for more information.
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.