Learn to make pop-up flowers on Thursday, March 20, at 1:15 pm.
This is a free class, open to everyone (all ages), and all materials are provided. No experience is necessary. Meet at the Senior Center for some flowery fun.
The instructor is Becky Crowe, a local artist and retired art teacher. She will be teaching you how to make a beautiful spring bouquet.
Spring Fling Wine Pairing Soirée
Join us for Archuleta Seniors Inc.’s (ASI’s) Spring Fling Wine Pairing Soiree on April 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ross Aragon Community Center, 451 Hot Springs Blvd.
Enjoy a selection of exceptional curated wines, savory appetizers from and delicious 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 ASI.
Tickets are limited, so don’t miss out. Purchase tickets at https://givebutter.com/SpringFlingWinePairing, by calling (970) 264-2167 or visiting our office.
Why fundraise?
Poverty rates for individuals aged 65 and older in Archuleta County have risen from 5.2 percent to 9.0 percent, 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: health care, healthy food and affordable housing, among other critical supports.
ASI operates independently as a nonprofit, relying on public and private funding, donations and more than 70 community volunteers. Unfortunately, funding sources have been unstable, making your support vital for our efforts to serve the community effectively.
Impact of ASI
Since 2023, more than 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 20,000 meals, including deliveries to homebound older adults, a convenient grab-n-go service and dine-in/socialize options.
Annually, we also serve more than 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.
Caregiver support group
The Senior Center will be hosting a new support group beginning in March.
If you are caring for a family member or friend with physical/mental disability, emotional health needs or cognitive decline, this group was created for you.
Note: This group is not limited to only caregivers of older adults. Caregivers of all types are welcome. This group offers a safe, welcoming space for caregivers seeking connection, empathy and encouragement. Whether you’re looking for understanding during difficult times or just need a community to lean on, we’re here for you.
These sessions will also offer educational resources to grow you in the knowledge and skill to strengthen self-care, to care for your loved ones and empower you to navigate your role as a caregiver, one day at a time.
Dates for the monthly caregiver support gathering in 2025 include: March 27, April 24, May 22, June 26, July 24, July 24, Aug. 28, Sept. 25, Oct. 23, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18.
All meetings will be held at the Community Center in the West Conference Room (except the August gathering will be in a local park) from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
If you have questions or would like to be added to our announcement list, please contact Yeun Fiedler at (970) 946-5810 or Madeline Sutton at (970) 507-1574.
Brain fitness and mobility program
Join us Mondays through March 24 from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Senior Center for a free six-week new Ageless Grace exercise program, taught by Judy, a trained facilitator who will support and help you learn gentle movements to enhance brain health and mobility.
We will spend 30 minutes in a chair exercising and stimulating five areas of our brain functioning. Yes, it is possible to strengthen our neural connections even as we age.
Anyone age 21 and older is invited and encouraged to participate in this program.
It is a cutting-edge brain fitness program based on neuroplasticity that activates all five functions of the brain — strategic planning, memory/recall, analytical thinking, creativity and imagination, kinesthetic learning — and simultaneously addresses all 21 physical skills needed for lifelong optimal health functioning.
Meals on Wheels volunteers needed
For more than 50 years, the Senior Center (established in 1971)/ASI (established 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.
The cost of each meal is $10.50, but we only ask for a suggested donation of $6 per meal. Meal recipients are asked to contribute what they can afford, and no one is ever turned down.
Meals are delivered Monday through Friday. Participants must be at home to receive meals. Meals will not be left.
Meals on Wheels volunteers receive background checks and training prior to delivery. Typically a volunteer shift is one day a week from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 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 ASI office at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. to pick up an application. Questions? Please call ASI at (970) 264-2167.
Bingo
The Senior Center continues to host free community bingo games twice a month on Friday afternoons from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Upcoming bingo dates include March 21, April 4, April 18, May 9, May 23, June 13 and June 27.
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 is required. Help us create an intergenerational community.
All ages are welcome, but we ask those 18 and younger to come with an adult chaperone. Seats are first come, first served.
For more information, contact us at (970) 264-2167.
Share lunch Monday through Friday
Open to all. 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.
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.
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 20 — Pork tenderloin with harvest chutney, sweet corn, garden salad, banana pudding, muffin and milk.
Friday, March 21 — Potato leek soup, focaccia bread, garden salad, fruit, dessert bar and milk.
Monday, March 24 — Grilled turkey, Swiss, tomato sandwich; sweet potato fries; garden salad; fruit; fig bar; and milk.
Tuesday, March 25 — Beef meatloaf, mashed potatoes, dinner roll, garden salad, fruit, vanilla yogurt and milk.
Wednesday, March 26 — Norwegian fish stew with toasted ciabatta, garden salad, fruit, ginger snaps and milk.
Thursday, March 27 — Greek chicken pita with tzatziki sauce, lemon greek potatoes, garden salad, fruit, baklava and milk.
Friday, March 28 — Vegetarian stuffed bell peppers, squash casserole, spinach salad, fruit, muffin 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.
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.
Board vacancies
The ASI Board of Directors has multiple vacant positions open. The terms are three 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.
