With great excitement and anticipation, Archuleta Seniors Inc. (ASI) and Terrawalk Farms announces their partnership with Nourish Colorado for a second growing season to bring low-income older adults (age 55 and older) in Archuleta County locally grown, seasonal, organic vegetable 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 bimonthly 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:
• Being a new or current client of ASI through our congregate, Meals on Wheels, or pick-up/Grab-N-Go meal program, or
• Be a resident of low-income senior housing communities (Socorro, Archuleta Housing for the Elderly, Casa De Los Arcos, Rose Mountain Homes or Lake View Estates).
If you don’t meet either criteria and are a low-income individual, please make an appointment with the executive director (rosa@psseniors.org), who will discuss your situation and make a decision on a case-by-case basis.
Participating subscribers will receive a fresh, local, organic produce box alternating weeks throughout the growing season, which spans from approximately early June to mid-October.
Subscribers will pick up their bimonthly fresh produce boxes at the Ross Aragon Community Center on Tuesdays. 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 bimonthly 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 biweekly food, you will receive the following perks:
• A newsletter that includes simple, relevant recipes, musings and photos.
• The opportunity to directly support young farmers.
• Optional opportunities to learn and work on the farm.
• Free access to all the Self-Sufficiency Food series gatherings summer 2025.
Finally, we invite all seniors (55+) and their families to learn more about the produce box program coming up on May 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the Ross Aragon Community Center.
In addition to a Q-and-A about the produce box program, community members will also learn the basics about starting your own garden at elevation.
This first gathering kicks off our summer-long Self-Sufficiency Food Series, which will be held the third Saturday of each month starting in May at the Community Center from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Pagosa Senior Center dining room with a variety of local talented instructors and individuals to further tantalize your palate, support your culinary skill development, connect you with local growers and get you excited about all the amazing, delicious, nutritious local foods you will be enjoying this growing season.
Self-Sufficiency Food Series topics
• May 17: Learn about the produce box program and starting a garden at elevation with farmer Chris Frederics.
• June 21: Compost and soil. Join Brian Wattie and/or Wes Davies to dive into all things microbial and growing nutritious food with the use of homemade compost.
• July 19: Kitchen skills. Ana Smith will lead community members through preparation of a simple meal while demonstrating a variety of kitchen skills to help you master meal prep with ease and finesse.
• Aug. 16: Seasonal menu design. Rue Graham will provide an overview of how to feature and provide tips/tricks on how to design and prepare seasonal menus based on what is coming out of the garden and available at your local farmers market.
• Sept. 20: Cultural foods. Rose Chavez will highlight a variety of local and regional cultural foods with an emphasis on green and red chile. The demonstration will include making red chile from a ristra as well as a traditional green chile demonstration and tasting.
• Oct. 18: Food preservation. Kendall McAllister and/or Cindi Galabota will provide the basics of what it takes to preserve a variety of foods and will lead community members through various food preservation techniques and demonstrations.
For more information, please call (970) 264-2167 or stop by the ASI office at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. to sign up to be considered for the produce box program. The first 40 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 2025.
Monthly caregiver
support group
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.
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: 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 Ross Aragon 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.
T’ai chi chih
The Senior Center is offering t’ai chi chih with accredited instructor Patti Popovich each Thursday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Senior Center dining hall located in the back of the Community Center.
The class is intended 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 are free for older adults (age 55 and better) and class will last approximately 1 hour. No special clothing or equipment is required.
For more information, call (970) 264-2167.
Scrapbooking and
crafters club
The Pagosa Springs Scrapbooking and Crafters club continues to hold monthly meetings the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Community Center, 451 Hot Springs Blvd., within the dining hall in the Senior Center.
This creative tradition has been happening since 2005, and we invite all creative individuals to come and share ideas, connect with new and old friends, learn/share creative 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.
Help us create an intergenerational community. Those ages 18 and older are welcome. For those youth age 17 and younger, we kindly request an adult chaperone accompany them.
If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please send your request to copenhavercreative@gmail.com and you will receive notification each month of the upcoming meeting, along with handy tips and tricks for scrapbooking and more.
Stretching and mobility class
Community members are invited to attend free weekly classes every Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Senior Center.
The stretching and mobility classes for older adults (age 55 and up) 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 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 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.
Senior Conversations
Join us Mondays at 1:15 p.m. for a series of Senior Conversations with local Bill Salmansohn.
Salmansohn brings to our conversations a variety of topics designed to stimulate discussions within a safe and comfortable environment as we explore our well-being 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 to 3:30 p.m., following Senior Conversations.
The group occasionally reconvenes as an informal gathering at various local restaurants.
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, May 1 — Ham steak with maple mustard sauce, roasted carrots, dinner roll, garden salad, cottage cheese, fruit and milk.
Friday, May 2 — Cod piccata, broccoli, brown rice, garden salad, fruit, banana pudding and milk.
Monday, May 5 — Pork tortilla soup, crispy tortilla, lime, Cotija cheese, garden salad, fruit, flan and milk.
Tuesday, May 6 — Thai chicken with peanut sauce, brown quinoa rice, sugar snap peas, garden salad, fruit, tapioca pudding and milk.
Wednesday, May 7 — Falafel bowl over rice with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, dolmas, garden salad, vanilla yogurt, fruit and milk.
Thursday, May 8 — Baked salmon with herb cream sauce, rice pilaf, broccoli, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Friday, May 9 — Korean beef over rice, sugar snap peas, garden salad, fruit, brownies 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
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.
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 p.m.
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.
Bridge
The longest-played bridge game in Archuleta County takes place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 1:15 p.m.
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 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.
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.
Support the Senior Center
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 P.O. 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. For more information about ASI, please visit http://www.psseniors.org/.
