Join Archuleta Seniors Inc. for the First Annual Pagosa Springs Valentine’s Day Soirée Fine Food and Wine Pairing on February 14, 2025, from 6 to 8pm at the Ross Aragon Community Center, 451 Hot Springs Blvd.
Enjoy a selection of exceptional curated wines, savory appetizers from Mountain Bluebird Catering, and delicious chocolates from PS Chocolates, all crafted by local artisans. Live music from the gifted Gus Palma will enhance the evening’s ambiance. The soirée will also feature a silent auction with unique items and fantastic door prizes. This event invites everyone — singles, couples, and groups — to enjoy an unforgettable evening while supporting Archuleta Seniors Inc.
Tickets are limited, so don’t miss out! Purchase tickets at https://givebutter.com/ValentinesWinePairingSoiree, call 970-264-2167, or visit our office.
Why Fundraise?
Poverty rates for individuals aged 65 and older in Archuleta County have risen from 5.2% to 9.0%, impacting approximately 1,300 individuals. The soirée is crucial for raising funds to support essential health and social services for vulnerable older adults and family caregivers in our community. Poverty in rural America presents barriers to vital resources for all age groups but older adults are especially vulnerable, including experiencing barriers to: healthcare, healthy food, and affordable housing among other critical supports. Archuleta Seniors Inc. operates independently as a non-profit, relying on public and private funding, donations, and over 70 community volunteers. Unfortunately, funding sources have been unstable, making your support vital for our efforts to serve the community effectively.
Impact of Archuleta Seniors Inc.
Since 2023, over 1,000+ unduplicated older adults and caregivers in Archuleta County have benefited annually from our signature nutrition program, which offers nutritious meals served in a welcoming environment. In 2024 alone, we provided approximately 35,000 meals, including deliveries to homebound older adults, a convenient grab-n-go service and dine-in/socialize options. Annually, we also serve 600+ unduplicated older adults and caregivers via facilitating quality referrals to local organizations/agencies, providing social connection and support through various activities, including community clinics, fun games, educational classes, discussion groups, and creative and empowering community events.
Volunteers Needed to Make Valentine Cards
The next free art class at the Pagosa Senior Center will be today, 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, just a 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.
Mahjong
Mahjongis 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 1:15pm.
Medicare Call by Appointment
For anyone who needs help enrolling and navigating Medicare plans, the San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging helps with Parts A, B, and D. They can also help you with fraud concerns and troubleshooting any billing issues you may be having. By appointment only. Please call the Medicare line at 970-264-0501; ext 4.
Mindful Drawing
Mindful Drawingis 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.
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. EFT is an evidence-based, self-regulating technique using acupressure trigger points as well as elements from other therapeutic practices.
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.
Bingo
The Pagosa Senior Center will be hosting bingo twice a month on Friday afternoons from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm on 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.
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 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, 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.
Monday, January 27 – Singapore Coffee Ribs (Pork), Squash Casserole, Garden Salad, Fruit, Orange Blossom Muffin, and Milk.
Tuesday, January 28 – Beef Marsala w/ Mushroom Sauce, Scalloped Potatoes, Dinner Roll, Garden Salad, Fruit, and Milk.
Wednesday, January 29 – Teriyaki Chicken w/ Quinoa Rice Pilaf, Sauteed Greens, Garden Salad, Fruit, Peach Pie, and Milk.
Thursday, January 30 – Cod & Shrimp Veracruz, Roasted Asparagus, Garden Salad, Vanilla Yogurt, Fruit, and Milk.
Friday, January 31 – Chicken & Dumplings, Roasted Cauliflower, Garden Salad,Fruit, Cranberry Nut Muffin, and Milk.
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 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 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/.
Another Way to Donate
Are you 70 and half years old or better? Do you have an IRA from which you need to take a distribution? Did you know you can make charitable donations directly from your IRA without paying taxes on the distribution, up to $100,000 per year? The donation from the account would be payable to Archuleta Seniors Inc and sent to PO Box 344, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147. This gift option is called the IRA charitable rollover or qualified charitable distribution (QCD).