SENIOR CENTER NEWS: Let’s Talk Medicare

It’s easy to get confused about all the ins and outs of Medicare. With open enrollment only a few months away, the San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging is inviting the public to an informal get-together to discuss Medicare topics. A certified Medicare counselor will lead the discussion and answer any Medicare related questions.

Join us next week, on Thursday, August 17 at 1:00pm. Bring your beverage or snack, and your Medicare questions to the Senior Center dining hall at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. For more information, please call the Medicare line at 970-264-0501, ext. 4.

Rock Painting with Local Artist
Join local artist Becky Crowe on August 24 at 1:15 pm for a free rock art session.  We have gathered a variety of rocks of different sizes for your painting pleasure.  Stop by the dining hall and either bring your own rock or select from our collection.  We will provide the paint and rocks and you bring your own inspiration to create a colorful rock to place in your garden or to use as a paperweight!  This activity is free and open to all ages.

New Monday Music
Enjoy pleasant soft-rock songs from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, as well as international folk, humor, and new music, too.  Dr. Erika Sueker has been playing music since 1967, teaching music since 1978, and working with Seniors since 1983. Join the lunchtime fun this coming Monday in the Ross Aragon Community Center dining hall.

Senior Conversations 
Join us Wednesdays at 1:15pm 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.  The meeting will be held at the Pagosa Senior Center in the dining hall, snacks will be provided.

Yoga Therapy Class
Gather with local yoga practitioner AJ Connors  for a series of evidence based healthy aging and yoga therapy classes at the Pagosa Senior Center geared for adults and older adults of all ages. Mats and chairs will be provided; it’s optional to bring a blanket, and please wear comfortable clothing. Classes are free but donations are welcomed.  Class is offered Mondays 2:30 pm-3:30pm in the dining hall.

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.

Share Lunch and Dine Monday through Thursday
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 $10.00, but no one will be turned away. There is a $10.00 charge for guests under the age of 60.  Meals include a main course, side dish, fruit/dessert, garden salad plus beverage.  Some popular menu items include: Frito chile pie, pork tenderloin with harvest chutney, Singaporean pork ribs, vegetarian lasagna, Hawaiian shrimp with coconut rice and always a beautiful green salad. Many of our items are locally sourced and organic.

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, Aug 10  –  Cod Piccata, Wilted Spinach, Focaccia Bread, Garden Salad, Fruit, Key Lime Slice, Milk.

Friday, Aug 11  – Pork Posole, Tortilla, Roasted Cauliflower, Garden Salad, Fruit,  Mini Churros, Milk.

Monday, Aug 14 – Thanksgiving Turkey Sub.Sandwich, Sweet Potato Fries, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk, Brownie.

Tuesday  Aug 15  – Pork Tenderloin w/ Honey Garlic Glaze, Scalloped Potatoes, Garden Salad, Fruit, Cottage Cheese, Milk.

Wednesday, Aug 16  – Pasta Primavera w/ Marinara Sauce, Garlic Bread, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk, Mini Cinnamon Roll.

Thursday, Aug 17  –  Beef Cheeseburger,Green Chili Sauce,  Kettle Chips, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk, Blackberry Cheesecake.

Friday, Aug 18  – Cajun Shrimp & Grits, Zucchini Saute, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk, Orange Jello.

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 
Our Mobile Food Pantry Service has been discontinued due to funding shortages.  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.

Text Us @ 970-264-2167 
Don’t forget that we also offer a convenient texting service for you to communicate with us. When texting, please include your name, phone number and the days you want a meal.  If you are calling to cancel a reservation, please include your name, phone number and the days you want to cancel.  Texting services are available for dining-in meal reservations, Grab-n-Go meals, and Meals on Wheels recipients.

Covid-19 Test Kits Available 
Stop by the Pagosa Senior Center to pick up a pack of 6 free covid-19 tests kits for your personal use.  These kits are available to anyone in the public that needs affordable access for health promotion and disease prevention.

Bridge
The longest played bridge game in Archuleta county takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays 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.

Hand & Foot Card Game 
Whether you are new to Hand & Foot or interested in learning, please join us most Thursdays 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.

Requesting Donations ASI has an immediate monetary need to support ongoing operations and programming that provide critical services to some of the most vulnerable in Archuleta County. Please consider donating to Archuleta Seniors Inc. 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/.

Rosa Chavez

Rose Chavez is Executive Director for Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and Public Health Consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.