PPAA offering recreational respite
Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging is offering free “Recreational Respite” resources for family caregivers of individuals over 60 living with mild dementia. Recreational Respite is a nice opportunity to get new ideas for caring for loved ones. Recreational Respite consists of three one-hour training visits with a play facilitator. Everyone plays games, and the caregivers can keep up to six games to continue to use with their care recipient. Contact Lucy Cahill at the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging at 719-471-2096, ext. 144 or lcahill@ppacg.org for more information.
The Aging With Altitude podcast hosted by the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging can be listened to wherever readers get their podcasts or PPPACG.org, studio809podcasts.com. Episodes in February highlight Black History Month with stories from a Fannie Mae Cotton Club band member and the Martin Luther King Legacy Preservation Society.
The Regional Advisory Council with the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging will kick off Black History Month with Jennifer Horn speaking on “Aging While Black,” which is a national movement working to change how aging is experienced in black communities. Since 2023, they have been working in Denver to create third spaces, technology ministries and peer navigators. They are interested in hearing from other communities and making more connections to celebrate, support and empower Black elders. They can be found at agingwhileblack.co.
Meal service for seniors
Silver Key Senior Services is increasing their meal offering from three meals to five meals. Silver Key demonstrates its strong commitment to the Calhan, Peyton and Falcon communities by increasing the availability of frozen meals from three to five per week, ensuring greater support for local elders. Elders in these communities can pick up a three-pack of “grab n’ go” frozen meals at High Prairie and Calhan libraries or have them delivered in Falcon, Peyton and Calhan. Registration is required. Call Silver Key at 719-884-2300 or visit https://silverkey.org for more information.”
Black Forest AARP
Chapter 1100 meets the second Wednesday of each month at noon in the Fellowship Hall of the Black Forest Lutheran Church, 12455 Black Forest Road. All ages are welcome. Come visit one of the meetings. https://www.aarpchapter1100blackforest.com.
The Senior Social is the fourth Wednesday of each month, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall at the Black Forest Lutheran Church. There are no memberships, dues or obligations, and all seniors are invited to attend. Come and play dominoes, bring your own hobbies to work on, or just come to socialize. Light snacks will be provided.
For more information, contact Ray Rozak at 719-495-6767.
Woodmen Hills events — February
- 2/1–1/28: Fitness classes/Various times/Recreation Center East
- 2/10: Italian cooking classes — 5 to 7 p.m./Community Center West
- 2/13: Parents’ Night Out — 5 to 9:30 p.m./RCE
- 2/26: WHMD board meeting — 5:30 to 8:30 p.m./CCW
For more information about these events, visit http://woodmenhills.org/parks-recreation.
Meridian Ranch Recreation Center — February
- Meridian Ranch Group Exercise classes run Monday through Saturday, from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday; and 5:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Fridays; on Saturdays, classes are at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. The group exercise schedule can be found at MRRC or the Facebook page or https://www.meridianservice.org.
- Classes include various types of Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, spin cycling, water aerobics, high fitness, paddleboard yoga and more!
- Group and Private swim lessons are available. Contact Aquatics@Meridianservice.org for more information.
- Active Older Adults Game Day: Come together to play board games and card games; Thursdays, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the auditorium.
- Indoor Drop-in pickleball: Sundays at 3 p.m.; Mondays at 10 a.m.; Wednesdays at 10 a.m. — age 16 plus.
- Homeschool gym class Wednesdays, from noon to 1 p.m. — free for residents
- Drama class: Jan. 13 to March 10, ages 7 to 14: learn acting techniques, develop skills and increase stage confidence; Tuesdays, from 5 to 6 p.m. — $60 for residents, $80 for non-residents
- Fly swatter volleyball: played while sitting in a chair hitting a balloon over the net with a fly swatter; Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon.
- Men’s Basketball League: Sunday and Monday night games — season starts March 22 — $400 per team. Contact t.holt@merdianservice.org for more information.
- Parents Night Out: Feb. 6, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. — pizza, pool, movie; contact childcare@meridianservice.org
- Contact the Meridian Ranch Recreation Center front desk for more details and to register for any program: 719-495-7119; https://www.meridianservice.org
Community Outreach Coalition
The Community Outreach Center is located at 328 10th Street on the El Paso County Fairgrounds in Calhan, Colorado.
The Diversus Health number is 719-572-6100; the Crisis Line can be reached by calling 844-493-TALK (8255). The El Paso County Department of Human Services can be reached at 719-520-7897 or 719-444-5139. The DHS is present at the outreach center on Wednesdays (walk-in clients are welcome).
The Independence Center’s number is 719-471-8181 (by appointment). TESSA can be reached at 719-243-4833 (by appointment only).
The Pikes Peak Workforce Center number is 719-520-7895 (they work out of the High Prairie Library in Falcon). The number for the AARP Free Income Tax Prep is 303-753-6040, ask for the Falcon or Colorado Springs location.
Falcon Garden Club – New meeting place
The Falcon Garden Club meets the third Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. at the Falcon Fire Station at 7020 Old Meridian Road. However, this month due to scheduling conflicts, the club will meet Feb. 28.
Check out the website at https://www.falcongardenclub.org.
Falcon Book Club
The next meeting of the Falcon Book Club is Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the Meridian Ranch Recreation Center, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The book of the month is “The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise” by Colleen Oakley. The novel is about an unforgettable couple, a college dropout becomes a caregiver to an 84-year-old woman. They end up on the run from the law. This story is full of heart, humor and wit. For more information, call Meridian Ranch Recreation Center and ask for Karen from the book club: 719-495-7119.
Eastern Plains Chamber
The Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce meets the first Wednesday of each month at Grace Community Church, 9475 Grace Church View in Falcon, at 7:30 a.m. (breakfast and coffee at 7 a.m.). For more information on the chamber, visit http://easternplainschamber.com.
Free tutoring in reading
Children’s Literacy Center offers free one-to-one tutoring for children reading below grade level. Children are matched with trained volunteer tutors from the community, and meet twice a week for an hour each session. Call Sierra at 719-471-8672 today for more information, and to find out if your child is eligible.
Equine education class
On the third Sunday of every month, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30, the Iron Horse Christian Youth Ranch will host an equine class on a variety of topics, with guest speakers. Bring questions on horse care, training and other horse-related topics. Free to the community. For questions, email ihcyranch@yahoo.com or visit ihranch.org.
Iron Horse Christian Youth Ranch is located at 5840 Meridian Road. Please park in the back by the barn.
Al-Anon in Falcon
Falcon Al-Anon Family Group meetings are Saturdays at 9 a.m. at 5450 Meridian Road (Meridian Point Church) in the red “single wide” building south of the two main church buildings. For more information, call Michelle at 719-499-3427 or Mike at 719-229-6304.
English Country Dance
English Country Dance meets the second and fourth Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at International Dance Club, 2422 Busch Avenue, Colorado Springs. The group also meets on the first and third Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m. at a Woodmen Road location. A partner is not required. Family and couple rates are available. An additional class takes place every Monday at Colorado Springs Senior Center, 1514 N. Hancock Avenue, Colorado Springs, from 1 to 3 p.m. For more information, call 719-599-4344.
Reining Horse Association
The Eastern Plains Reining Horse Association is a nonprofit affiliate of the National Reining Horse Association. Its goal is to promote public interest in the sport of reining through shows, clinics, scholarships and events, including fundraising projects. The EPRHA meets the second Monday of each month at the Latigo Trails Equestrian Centre meeting room at 7 p.m. Contact Mary Jo at 719-347-2441 or log onto http://eprha.org for more information and updated meeting information.
Falcon VFW
The SGM James Gregory “Ryan” Sartor VFW 12227 meets on the third Tuesday of each month.
The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. at the Falcon Fire Protection District at 7030 Old Meridian Road. For more information or to join, visit https://vfw.org/join.
American Legion Dane R. Balcon Post 2008
For more information on upcoming American Legion events in Falcon, please contact the Post at: 719-749-1140 or email legionpost2008@gmail.com.
The American Legion Post 2008 meets at Patriot High School (11990 Swingline Road) in the gymnasium. The group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:15 pm. Post 2008 will meet this month on Feb. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Active duty, retired and former U.S military from Falcon/Peyton and Black Forest area are welcome to attend. The Post supports veterans and their families, locally and nationally, as well as the community. For more information on upcoming American Legion events in Falcon, please contact the Post at: 719-749-1140 or email legionpost2008@gmail.com. Visit http://www.legionpost2008.
Exchange Club of Falcon
The Exchange Club of Falcon is a national organization with a focus on Americanism, child abuse prevention, community service and youth. The meetings in Falcon take place the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at IHOP at 5749 Stetson Hills Blvd. in Colorado Springs. Members meet at 5:30 p.m. at IHOP to enjoy a dinner before the meeting; anyone is welcome to join the group at 5:30.
For more information, visit https://exchangecluboffalcon.com or call Andy Conder at 719-337-6990 or aconder54@msn.com. Or contact Don Koveliski at 719-369-5158
FALCON SENIOR SERVICES NEWS
Falcon Senior Services invites all seniors 55-plus to the February luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m. at Patriot High School, 11990 Swingline Road in Falcon. The menu includes a baked potato bar, chocolate cordial cherry cake, Valentine punch and coffee. The program this month will be presented by Steve Schleiker of the El Paso Clerk and Recorders Office. Steve will discuss the county’s property protection program. The cost is $6 for members and $8 for non-members. Members can pay online at https://www.FalconSeniorServices.com or at the door.
General exercise classes meet on Mondays and Fridays, 11 a.m. at Grace Community Church, 9475 Grace Church View, in Falcon. For more information on all activities, call Lynne Bliss at 719-641-9893 or visit the website at https://www.FalconSeniorServices.org or by searching the Facebook page at https://www.Facebook.com/FalconSeniorServices.
High Prairie Library
The High Prairie Library is located at 7035 Old Meridian Road in Falcon.
Library hours:
- Monday and Tuesday — 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday through Friday — 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday — closed
Visit https://ppld.org/high-prairie-library for programs and events, or call 719-260-3650.
