This growing season, Archuleta Seniors Inc. (ASI) 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.
If you are interested in participating in this free fresh produce program, you must meet one of the minimum requirements to be selected as a subscriber.
The criteria for being selected is either: 1. Being a new or current client of ASI through our congregate, Meals on Wheels, or pick-up/Grab-N-Go meal program or 2. Being a resident of the low-income senior housing community (Socorro, Archuleta Housing for the Elderly, Casa De Los Arcos or Lake View Estates).
Participating subscribers will receive a fresh local organic produce box alternating weeks throughout the growing season, which spans from June 2 to Sept. 29. Subscribers will pick up their bi-monthly fresh produce boxes either on site at the Ross Aragon Community Center on Tuesdays or at a to-be-determined location in Pagosa Springs on the weekends. Details are still being finalized and subscribers will be notified.
What’s available each season? Below is a sample list of possible vegetables you might expect in your share on a bi-monthly basis.
Note: This is not exactly what you will receive. By joining a CSA you are recognizing that there are many factors week to week, season to season, that may challenge the well devised production plan. Mother Nature does not always consider the crop plan.
Produce Share 1: Spinach, radishes, garlic scapes, kale, parsley and arugula.
Produce Share 2: Lettuce, turnips, baby beets, mustard greens and greens mix 1.
Produce Share 3: Spinach, radish, summer squash, greens mix 2, basil, kale and beets.
Produce Share 4: Swiss chard, mizuna, carrots, turnips, arugula, summer squash and cucumber.
Produce Shares 5-17: Greens of the week (kale, arugula, greens mix, Swiss chard, lettuce or Asian greens) and the following options that are subject to availability: tomatoes, carrots, turnips, cucumber, onion, beets, eggplant, summer squash, garlic and peppers (sweet and hot).
Produce Share 18: Lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, broccoli, leeks and cilantro.
In addition to your weekly food, you will receive the following perks:
• A quarterly newsletter that includes simple, relevant recipes, musings and photos of the farm you support.
• The opportunity to directly support young farmers.
• Optional opportunities to learn and work on the farm. There will be two community days throughout the season. One will be in July and another in September.
• Attend monthly recipe tastings during ASI’s upcoming “Fresh Conversations” nutrition education and healthy aging circles starting April through September.
Please call (970) 264-2167 or stop by the ASI office at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. to sign up to be considered for this Older Adult Fresh Local Produce Box program.
The first 30 interested clients who meet the minimum requirements will become subscribers and will be eligible to receive their fresh produce boxes throughout the growing season of 2024.
For more information, contact ASI at (970) 264-2167.
Free seasonal art class
Next free art class at the Pagosa Senior Center will be Tuesday, March 19, at 1:15 p.m. We will be making Easter lilies.
No reservations are required, but space is limited, so be sure to be there by 1:15. The class will last approximately an hour and a half. No art skill is required for this class — just a desire to have fun and learn how to make an Easter lily from construction paper.
All materials will be provided, including the scissors, paper and glue. Templates will be provided to trace and cut out the various parts that go into making this lovely lily.
All ages are invited, so find a friend and bring them along. Our teacher will again be Denise Fisk, who is a retired elementary art teacher. For more information, contact ASI at (970) 264-2167.
Senior Discount Card
The Senior Center is continuing its annual tradition of providing a local discount card for those ages 60 and better.
The discount card encourages seniors to support local recreational, restaurant, medical and retail services by obtaining a senior discount card for a small fee that serves as a fundraiser for ASI.
These local businesses provide a discount ranging from 5 percent to 20 percent off services.
For more information, visit http://www.psseniors.org/discount-club.html or stop by our offices at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. to pick up your card. For more information, contact us at (970) 264-2167.
Grant available for adult learners
Are you a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous or person of color) adult age 55 or better living in Archuleta County eager to pursue further education? Here’s your chance.
ASI, in coordination with the Spanish Fiesta Committee, is delighted to announce a $1,000 educational grant available exclusively for these adult learners in our community.
The grant aims to support individuals seeking to enhance their skills, pursue new career paths or simply satisfy their thirst for knowledge. Whether you aspire to enroll in a vocational program, attend workshops or pursue a degree, this grant can provide the financial boost you need to turn your educational dreams into reality.
ASI and members of our local Spanish Fiesta Committee believe that education is a lifelong journey and it’s never too late to invest in oneself. This grant is designed to remove financial barriers and empower adults in our community to pursue their educational goals.
To be eligible for the grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Reside in Archuleta County.
• Be 55 years of age or older.
• Be Black, Indigenous or a person of color.
• Demonstrate a commitment to furthering their education.
• Submit a compelling application outlining their educational goals and how the grant will be utilized.
Applications are now open and will be accepted until March 20. A scholarship selection committee composed of community leaders will review all applications and select the most deserving candidates.
ASI encourages all motivated BIPOC, 55-and-older adults in Archuleta County to take advantage of this opportunity. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, explore new interests or simply expand your horizons, this grant can be the catalyst for your educational journey.
Don’t let financial constraints hold you back from pursuing your dreams. Apply for the $1,000 educational grant today and take a significant step toward a brighter future.
For more information and to access the application form, contact the ASI office at (970) 264-2167 or stop by the office.
Healthy aging yoga therapy class series
This winter, a healthy aging yoga series will be offered as a hybrid class at the Senior Center on Mondays from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Classes 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 and cardiovascular health, mental and 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.
The class is hosted by local yoga therapist AJ Connors, with a hybrid focus for the winter months, blending in-person, online and, occasionally, recorded classes. Zoom sessions will be streamed at the Senior Center to provide the community experience to practice together or can be accessed at home if weather is a factor.
Mats and chairs will be provided at the Senior Center; some blocks and Therabands are available, too. The addition of yoga props is always welcomed.
We are requesting that individuals who are new to joining the series arrive early for intake inquiries and to please communicate with AJ directly by emailing ajconnorslove@gmail.com.
Bingo
The Senior Center will be hosting bingo twice a month on Friday afternoons from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Bingo will be on March 15, April 5 and April 19.
The price to participate is free and we ask you bring yourself and a friend for joyful fellowship. We will provide prizes from local businesses for all winners, and snacks will also be provided.
No RSVP is required; just show up. All ages are welcome, but we ask those 18 and younger to come with an adult chaperone.
For more information, contact us at (970) 264-2167.
T’ai Chi Chih
The Senior Center will be offering T’ai Chi Chih with accredited instructor Patti Popovich each Thursday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the dining hall to support older adults who want to discover purpose and fulfillment in this transitional phase of life.
T’ai Chi Chih 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 60 and better) and will last approximately one hour in the dining hall.
No special clothing or equipment is required.
For more information, call (970) 264-2167.
Pagosa Springs Scrapbooking Club
The Pagosa Springs Scrapbooking Club holds monthly meetings the second Saturday of each month at the Senior Center.
It meets each month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 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 to receive notifications each month of the upcoming meeting along with handy tips and tricks for scrapbooking, please send your request to copenhavercreative@gmail.com.
Share lunch Monday through Friday
Join us at the Silver Fox’s Den, aka the Community Cafe, in person for daily hot/cold meals Mondays through Thursdays at the Community Center between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. It is open to all. 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, 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. Some popular menu items include Frito chili 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.
Our chef works with a team of local food professionals to hand-prepare your meal for dine-in service in our cozy dining room (with an amazing view of the San Juans) or for takeout (via our convenient drive-through). Our menu changes daily.
To reserve your meal for the day, please make your reservation via text or phone call to (970) 264-2167 by 9 a.m. weekdays.
Community Cafe menu
Thursday, March 14 — Vegetarian lasagna with white sauce, broccolini, garlic bread, garden salad, fruit, lime tart and milk.
Friday, March 15 — Chipotle lime tilapia with tartar sauce, brown rice, sauteed kale, garden salad, cottage cheese, fruit and milk.
Monday, March 18 — Corned beef, cabbage colcannon, carrots, minted peas, garden salad, fruit, chocolate Baileys cupcake and milk.
Tuesday, March 19 — Tomato basil soup and grilled cheese sandwich; chef salad with avocado, turkey, cheese; garden salad; fruit and milk.
Wednesday, March 20 — Beef spaghetti with garlic bread, broccoli, garden salad, fruit, vanilla yogurt and milk.
Thursday, March 21 — Sliced ham with cherry sauce, scalloped potatoes, garden salad, fruit, vanilla cake and milk.
Friday, March 22 — Stuffed portabello mushroom caps, roasted cauliflower, garden salad, fruit, Bavarian cream puffs and milk.
Grab-N-Go meals
Dine-in and Grab-N-Go meal reservations and cancellations are required. Please call or text by 9 a.m. the morning of the day you want to pick up a meal. A suggested donation of $6 helps to sustain our program. For ages 59 and younger, the cost is $10.50. No one will be turned away for their inability to donate. 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.
Mobile food pantry service discontinued
The Mobile Food Pantry Service has been discontinued due to funding shortages. Older adults needing a ride to a local food pantry should contact the MET to schedule a ride with its paratransit service. For more information, contact Lavonne at (970) 264-2250.
Text reservations
Don’t forget that we offer a convenient texting service for you to communicate with us. Text us at (970) 264-2167. When texting, please include your name, phone number and the days you want a meal. If you are canceling a reservation, please include your name, phone number and the days you want to cancel.
Texting services are available for dine-in meal reservations, Grab-n-Go meals and Meals on Wheels recipients.
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 2.
Mindful drawing
Mindful drawing is an easy-to-learn, relaxing and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Join our friendly instructor, Roberta Strickland.
Classes are every Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. in the 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.
Hand and foot card game
Whether you are new to hand and foot or interested in learning, please join us most Tuesdays at 1:15 at the Senior Center.
This card game involves four rounds of playing until the final round is reached — some two to three 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.year? The donation from the account would be payable to Archuleta Seniors Inc. and sent to P.O. Box 344, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147. This gift option is called the IRA charitable rollover or qualified charitable distribution.
