BY BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
LARSO

It’s been a long time in coming but the Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization announces in-person dining will begin Monday, Aug. 2. As the local senior centers continue their graduated return to services, the one that may have appeared out of reach will return soon. This also means a pause in the very well received drive through lunch option, which has been in place since a fateful day in March of 2020. 

There are a variety of rules in place for those that haven’t visited the centers since their re-opening in early May. We still have some social distancing. We also ask members to refrain from handshakes and hugging. The biggest difference from pre-Covid days is that those community members that have decided not to get the Covid-19 vaccine are not welcome at any gathered activities. We will try and be helpful to those that are not vaccinated and are willing to assist anyone in any way we can to accomplish that goal. 

The bad news for some is that the drive though option will come to an end this Friday. The idea may be re-visited during upcoming renovations, currently moved to January, and perhaps as early as September. If we don’t see the participation levels we need to benefit financially or have concern for safety, it could change, in an instant.   

The congregate meal served indoors will return to the traditional 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. slot. Reservations for August will be begin this Saturday. No reservations are ever taken after 10 a.m. for the same day. The demand is great and staff will once again be adjusting to new roles and requirements

Those wishing to get paperwork out of the way easily might consider dropping by during business hours and picking it up prior to food service. The centers are still required to take temperatures and ask if members have been vaccinated prior to entry. The centers are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Los Alamos and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in White Rock. There are no evening and weekend hours available at this time. 

We ask for your patience as we step on this new path. It has been difficult to meet the needs of many seniors, each at different stages. Please be kind as we follow the rules set before us. Two tables will have plexiglass dividers provided by the Aging and Long-Term Services Department to ease concerns for those reluctant to return.