The next free art class at the Pagosa Senior Center will be Thursday, January 23 at 1:15pm. Put some heart into your art! Join us in making simple printed cards for Valentine’s Day for our homebound adults on Meals on Wheels and congregate meal participants. This is a perfect opportunity for those looking to serve their community, volunteer and have some whimsical fun! No art skills required, kist willingness to have a good time! All supplies will be provided and there is no cost or registration required. Just show up and get ready to paint! The instructor for this class is the talented and warm Becky Crowe, a former art teacher and volunteer extraordinaire. She is also a printmaker, has had her artwork published, and creates greeting cards for all types of occasions. For more information please contact Archuleta Seniors Inc. at 970-264-2167.
New Time for Tai Chi at Senior Center
The Pagosa Senior Center is offering T’ai Chi with accredited instructor Patti Popovich each Thursday from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm (meet at the Pagosa Senior Center dining hall located in the back of the Ross Aragon Community Center) to support older adults who want to discover purpose and fulfillment in this transitional phase of life. Tai Chi 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. No special special clothing or equipment is required. For more information call Archuleta Seniors Inc. 970-264-2167.
Emotional Freedom Technique
Join us at the Pagosa Senior Center the second Wednesday of each month, next session is February 12, 2025 to participate in the popular, ongoing “Tapping” class (also known as EFT, or Emotional Freedom Technique) from 10 am to 11a m that is free and open to all ages and walks of life. The first half of class is learning or reviewing the technique and the second half of the hour is practicing the technique and answering questions. This is a supportive, fun, informative class taught by Judith Newman, LPC who has been in private practice for 23 years. This technique is easy to learn and then use any time you want to lower your anxiety, gain clarity about emotional challenges, and increase your ability to work with difficult transitions in your life. Join the class and: Improve your well-being; Meet new people in the community; Support yourself and others while learning a powerful, helpful tool; Find new ways to deal with insomnia, stress, and change!
Meals on Wheels Volunteers Needed
For more than 50 years, the Pagosa Senior Center (est. in 1971) / Archuleta Seniors Inc. (est. in 2013) has been meeting the social and nutritional needs of older adults (age 60 and better) in our community. We serve thousands of nutritious meals annually in Archuleta County and volunteers deliver Meals on Wheels and friendly visits / wellness checks to homebound older adults. We depend on more than 55 volunteers annually to help us serve and deliver meals and provide other wrap-around services. Typically a volunteer shift is one day a week from 10:30 am to 1 pm depending on the size of the route. Staff works closely with volunteers to allow for periodic breaks. If you are interested in volunteering, please stop by the Archuleta Seniors Inc. office at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. to pick up an application. Questions, please call ASI at 970-264-2167.
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.
Bingo
The Pagosa Senior Center will be hosting bingo twice a month on Friday afternoons from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm Jan. 17 and Jan. 31, Feb. 14 and Feb. 28, March 7 and March 21. 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 every Monday at 1:15 pm for a series of “Senior Conversations” with local Bill Salmansohn. Bill brings to our conversations a variety of topics designed to stimulate discussions within a safe and comfortable environment as we explore our wellbeing and shared experiences. This is a unique opportunity to connect with others living within the Archuleta community for friendship and togetherness. Snacks will be provided. Afterward, hosted by Robin Williams, is a get-together created for those who wish to continue the conversation. This opportunity is typically from 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm, following Senior Conversations. The group occasionally reconvenes as an informal gathering at various local restaurants.
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. 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. 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, January 16 – Greek Spanakopita Pie, Cauliflower Rice, Garden Salad, Fruit, Baklava, and Milk.
Friday, January 17 – Pork Tenderloin w/ Blackberry Glaze, Baby Baked Potatoes, Garden salad, Fruit, Key Lime Pie, and Milk
Monday, January 20 – Closed in Honor & Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday
Tuesday, January 21 – Hawaiian Beef & Peppers, Coconut Rice, Zucchini Saute, Garden Salad, Fruit, Chocolate Royal Cookies, and Milk.
Wednesday, January 22 – Chicken & Mushroom Crepes, Ciabatta Bread, Peas & Pearl Onions, Garden Salad, Vanilla Yogurt, Fruit, and Milk.
Thursday, January 23 – Beef Pot Roast w/ Root Vegetables, Dinner Roll, Garden Salad, Cottage Cheese, Fruit, and Milk.
Friday, January 24 – New England Clam Chowder w/ Oyster Crackers, Broccoli, Garden Salad Fruit, Chocolate Cake, and 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.
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.
Support Our Elders
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 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/.
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.