Here comes winter. Those words make most of us in the mountains smile, but despite the glorious year-round Colorado sunshine, shorter days and more time inside away from our abundant fresh air are inevitable.
Health professionals know winter is a time when we are more likely to catch a cold or fight a bout of flu. It’s also a time when our moods can swing low. But there are ways we can ward off sickness and remain joyful even as those dark, Arctic-like nights set in.
Three areas of focus can help us stay healthy year-round, but especially during the winter months: boosting the immune system, improving mental well-being and staying physically active despite the colder weather.
Living where we do, most of us have the third strategy pretty well wrapped up, even if it’s just a daily walk through the neighborhood. Boosting the immune system and improving mental health may not be as easy to do.
We have new nonfiction titles to help:
• “Age Stronger: Prevent Pain. Preserve Mobility. Age Resiliently” by Dr. Matt Weist provides a plan for incremental steps that boost your overall physical strength to build lasting resilience and mobility. No quick fixes, just a prescription to fortify your body against the aging process.
• “The Dharma of Healing: The Path of Liberation from Stress, Pain, and Trauma” from spiritual teacher Justin Michelson offers techniques on managing the personal trauma inflicted by a world in crisis.
• “Doing Small Things with Great Love: How Everyday Humanitarians Are Changing the World” by Sharon Eubank is filled with stories of people who have chosen to make a difference and identifies the 12 principles of change that you can manifest in your own corner of the world.
• “The Longevity Formula: Ayurvedic Principles to Reduce Inflammation, Increase Cellular Repair, and Live with Vitality” by Dr. Avanti Kumar-Singh provides a blueprint for boosting longevity by reducing inflammation and increasing cellular repair.
• “The Pleasures of Wintering: Winter-Inspired Rituals for Rejuvenation, Serenity, and Joy” by Erin Niimi Longhurst. Indulge in rest alongside the earth to refresh your body and spirit.
Construction update
The exterior walls are up around our new addition and you can clearly see the tall clerestory that will bring abundant natural light into our new spaces. The view from the west outlines the main entry doors below the clerestory and the new program rooms to the south. From the south you will see the outline of the new children’s room and the adjoining children’s garden near 8th Street.
We’re having fun selecting all the wonderful new features in the children’s room and building beautiful collections to fill our new spaces.
Your donations go a long way toward making this new library exceptional. The Colorado Gives campaign is underway and your donations are matched through Dec. 9. Thanks from all of us. You can donate at https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/RubySissonLibraryFoundation.
Activity locations
Now that we have much less space for our operations and no meeting rooms during construction, several of our regular activities and special events are happening in other locations.
Please check the listings in this column and on your library’s website, https://pagosalibrary.org, for location changes throughout the construction. If no other location is mentioned, the activity will stay at your library.
Activities calendars
Pick up monthly calendars at the library so you don’t miss any of the free programs, events and activities available to you and your family.
Online author talks
Our free online author talks with New York Times bestselling authors continue in November with more talks scheduled for you to watch live on Zoom or via a recording later in the month.
For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Novelist Amanda Peters (“The Berry Pickers”), Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Charles Duhagg (“The Power of Habit”) and memoirist Joseph Lee (“Nothing More of This Land”) highlight this month’s offerings.
Conversational Spanish
The Conversational Spanish group will meet Mondays in November from 4 to 5 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church at 225 S. Pagosa Blvd. This is a great opportunity to practice your Spanish in a free group setting. No minimum skill level is needed.
Family storytime
Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Elementary school tutoring
Free after-school tutoring for kids in first through third grade takes place on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Registration is required because of limited space, so call your library now at (970) 264-2209 to enroll your child.
This invaluable tutoring involves one-on-one and small-group help for math, literacy, writing and spelling.
Note that because of construction at the library these sessions will take place at the elementary school.
Writers Guild
Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m., Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for support, guidance, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
During construction the group will meet at the Pagosa Senior Center, 451 Hot Springs Blvd. Enter through the left side of the building.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays. Taylor helps with basic questions relating to computers, smartphones and tablets and also provides assistance in accessing the library’s online resources. No appointment is needed, but please bring your device’s charger and passwords with you.
English as a second language classes
Free in-person evening classes happen on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. for students of all levels at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 225 S. Pagosa Blvd. Please help us pass the word about these classes.
Pagosa Adult Learning Services (PALS)
Join Mark or Sally for free individualized PALS sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. to help with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more. No appointment is necessary.
Website
For more information on library books, services and programs — and to reserve books, e-books, books on CD and DVDs from the comfort of your home — please visit our website at pagosalibrary.org.
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