With the peak of the growing season at hand, Archuleta Seniors Inc. is excited to welcome Chris and Rue Fredericks of Terra Walk Farm and Archuleta Seniors Inc. Executive Director Rose Chavez, public health nutritionist for a meet and greet with the community next Thursday afternoon, September 19 at 1:30pm in the Pagosa Senior Center dining hall.
We will meet to discuss the free CSA program for older adults that is going on this 2024 growing season and to enjoy a seasonal food demonstration. We will provide a beautiful selection of locally grown produce from their farm which is located off of Highway 151, just past Chimney Rock National Monument. The farmers will give a brief presentation about this summer’s free CSA program for older adults and their philosophy in growing food for the community. They have also offered to provide some culinary inspiration and seasonal food preparation suggestions for many of the items they grow.
Come prepared to enjoy an informative food demonstration and seasonal tasting of this low-carbon footprint, nutrient-dense, amazing food grown right here in Archuleta County. Through a unique partnership with Nourish Colorado and Terra Walk Farm, Archuleta Seniors has been able to provide free weekly organic vegetable boxes to over 30 older adults and their families in Archuleta County for the 16-week growing season during 2024. Now we’d like the whole community to get an opportunity to learn about this program and meet the community members involved.
Come celebrate the harvest with us, thank a farmer, and be in the community. For more information, contact Archuleta Seniors Inc. at 970-264-2167.
Resources for Those with Vision Loss
Are you losing some vision? Are you legally blind? Do you want to build your skills? Would you like to meet others who are also dealing with vision loss? Join the Colorado Center for the Blind at the Durango Senior Center in Durango, 2424 Main Ave, Durango, on Tuesday, September 24 from 10am to 12pm. There will be an additional afternoon session from 1pm to 4pm both at the Durango Senior Center. You will learn about several resources that will be invaluable to you. They will provide hands-on learning experiences: techniques for independent travel, organizing your home, using your smartphone, reading books, and much more.
In the afternoon from 1pm to 4pm, they will provide individualized training and consultative services. This free resource and training workshop is for low vision and blind people of all ages, their families, and friends. If you are unable to travel to Durango from Pagosa, ASI staff will have a resource sheet available shortly after the event and details to provide referrals. Sponsored by the National Federations of the Blind of Colorado and the Colorado Center for the Blind.
Fresh Conversations
Are you interested in learning more about your blood and how to keep it healthy? Please join us for the Fresh Conversations nutrition education gathering this month and learn about anemia—signs and symptoms and how to avoid it. You’ll also learn about the benefits of flexibility and stretching in your daily life. We will meet Friday, Sept. 13 at 1:15 pm at the Pagosa Senior Center dining hall, 415 Hot Springs Blvd. in the back of the Ross Aragon Community Center. Don’t forget that we always have a seasonal recipe tasting and movement to get you feeling limber and uplifted.
Healthy Aging & Yoga Therapy Class Series 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. 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. 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. We request that individuals new to the series arrive early for intake inquiries and to please communicate with our new instructor Kimberly Anderson directly by email at zinkgraf@gmail.com.
Free Stretching & Mobility Weekly Class Community members are invited to attend new free weekly classes, every Tuesday this fall and winter, from 9:30 am – 10:30 am at the Pagosa Springs Senior Center (451 Hot Springs Blvd. in the back of the Ross Aragon Community Center). The stretching and mobility classes for older adults (age 55+) are designed to help build balance in the body through functional exercises that aim to improve mobility and flexibility. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of techniques that can help enhance overall movement efficiency. Though not necessary, a mat is recommended for this class. The program is instructed by local ballet dance instructor Dee Pitchon who will provide modifications to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the exercises.
Farmers Market Vouchers
Farmers Market vouchersfor older adults (age 60+) are still 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 (starting July 6 – end of September) 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 on Pagosa Springs Main Street at the Tennyson Sculpture Garden & Park on Lewis St. from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturdays.
Bingo
The Pagosa Senior Center will be hosting bingo twice a month on Friday afternoons from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm on Sept 20, Sept 27, Oct 4 and Oct 11. 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.
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.
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.
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 $6.00, but no one will be turned away. There is a $10.50 charge for guests under the age of 60.
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, September 12 – Cod Fish Veracruz, Roasted Asparagus, Garden Salad, Fruit, Blueberry Muffin, Milk.
Friday, September 13 – Pork Posole, Cabbage, Radishes & Onions with Lime juice, Tortilla, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Monday, September 16 – Beef Meatloaf, Baby Baked Potatoes, Garden Salad, Fruit, Lemon Cookies, Milk.
Tuesday, September 17 – Chicken Tom Kha Soup, Roasted Bok Choy, Almond Croissant, Garden Salad, Vanilla Yogurt, Fruit, Milk.
Wednesday, September 18 – Tuna Melt on Sourdough,, Parmesan Crusted Zucchini, Garden Salad, Fruit, Brownie, Milk.
Thursday, September 19 – Singapore Coffee Pork Ribs, Vegetable Fried Rice, Snow Peas, Garden Salad, Fruit, Chai Pudding, Milk.
Friday, September 20 – Butternut Squash, Sage & Mushroom Lasagna, Wilted Spinach & Onions, Garden Salad, Fruit, Carrot Cake, Milk.
Grab-N-Go & Dine-In Meals
Reservations and cancellations are required. Please call or text by 9:00am 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.
Bridge
The longest played bridge game in Archuleta county takes place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 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.
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.
Rose Chavez is Executive Director for Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and Public Health Consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.