Senior services for Newtown seniors are available at the Multi-Purpose Building on Riverside Road in Sandy Hook. The Senior Center is under the auspices of The Commission on Aging. The center is run by the Senior Services Director, Marilyn Place. For more information about programs offered at the Senior Center call 270-4310.

You may drop in at the Senior Center on Riverside Road in Sandy Hook weekdays between 10 am and 4 pm. A hot meal is served at noon for which you must reserve three days in advance.

Newtown has daily door-to-door mini-bus service Monday through Friday. Buses also run all day from the senior center to Sand Hill Plaza. On Fridays, the bus alternates between rides to Danbury Fair Mall and Berkshire Plaza in Danbury (to the new Wal*Mart store on Route 6). Cost is 65¢ each way for the Sand Hill Plaza trip, 75¢ each way for out of town. Call 748-2511 TWO DAYS IN ADVANCE to book a ride and get the out-of-town Friday schedule.

News For Week of January 24-28

*ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Applications for oil-heated households are now being taken. Income guidelines include $18,620 for singles, and $24,980 for couples. There are also asset limits.

Necessary documentation includes income from Social Security, pension, wages, interest, etc. This information must be current within 30 days.

Assistance continues through March 31. Applications for YankeeGas and CL&P are also being taken.

Contact Municipal Agent Ann Piccini at 270-4330 for more information.

*LINE DANCING has been incorrectly listed in recent weeks in The Bee’s activities calendar. The classes are still taking place on Thursday afternoons beginning at 1:30. Sorry for any confusion.

*Our next POT LUCK DINNER will be Tuesday, February 1, from 4 to 6 pm.

*A TRIAD SALT COUNCIL MEETING is scheduled for Thursday, February 3, beginning at 3:15. Please let us know if you are planning to attend.

*AARP INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE returns February 7 to April 11. Representatives will be visiting the senior center Monday mornings from 9 am until noon.

Please call the senior center for an appointment, and plan to bring in last year’s income tax return and any other pertinent information.

*There will be a COMMISSION ON AGING MEETING on Friday, February 28, at 5 pm. Public participation is always welcomed.

*The next AARP 55 ALIVE DRIVING COURSE will be offered Monday and Tuesday, April 11-12. The class will run from 9 am to 1 pm each day.

Please call for fee information and registration.

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REMINDERS: Has it been a while since you’ve played BRIDGE? Would you like to learn how? Stop by the senior center any Monday at 10 am for a game or two.

*EXERCISE CLASSES: The senior center has different forms of exercise classes available. Why not stop by and find a class that fits your needs?

YOGA classes are offered on Monday and Thursday mornings at 10. Try a class to get rid of stress and anxiety while learning to breathe correctly. Bring a mat or towel to lie on and wear loose clothing (no belts; sweats are perfect). Also learn how to use all the muscles in your body through relaxation.

Pat Babbage has returned following a two-year absence. Pat is teaching exercise classes on Monday and Wednesday mornings – just in time for the holidays! Classes begin at 10:30 am.

*ANN PICCINI VISITS the senior center on Thursday mornings from 10 until noon to help with Conn Pace, medical information and Title 19 issues you may be having. Call ahead or just stop in to talk with someone who can help you figure you way through these sometimes confusing subjects.

If you can’t catch up with Ann during one of her visits at the senior center, try reaching her at her office at 3 Main Street (below the police department). Call her there at 270-4330.

*Also on Thursdays, Newtown’s seniors are invited to stop by between 2 and 3 pm to have their pictures taken and to fill out pertinent information that will be stored in the glovebox of your car, all of which is part of the new NEWTOWN YELLOW DOT PROGRAM.

This is a Triad Project that will help save lives, and it’s the first project of its kind in our state. The project consists of an information card and a yellow dot sticker that is affixed to your car window. In the event of an emergency, first responders can identify the vehicle as being part of the Yellow Dot Program and will look for the information in an envelope inside your car, saving time and supplying life saving information. The project is a partnership between the community’s senior citizens, People’s Bank and Newtown Police Department.

*OVERNIGHT TRIPS in 2005 include January 19-20 in ATLANTIC CITY, March 5-13 in COSTA DEL SOL AND MADRID, and a May trip to GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA.

Trip booklets will be ready at the end of the month.

*Newtown seniors are invited to spend a DAY AT MOHEGAN SUN. Departure from the senior center on Wednesday, February 2, will be at 8 am. Cost is $24 per person.

*A DAY TRIP in February will take Newtown seniors from Sandy Hook to Westchester Broadway Theatre, where you can enjoy songs about St Louis.

Details about an outing on Thursday, February 3, to enjoy lunch and a showing of Meet Me In St Louis are available at the senior center. Cost is $68 per person, departure will be at 9:30 am, and there are just 54 seats available – come in soon!

*There is also a day trip planned to New Jersey on Monday, February 14, where Ace in The Hole Productions will present My Funny Valentine at The Brownstone.

Cost is $69 per person. Call or stop by the senior center for details or to sign up.

Menu For Week of January 24-28

Reservations must be made one or two days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Monday, January 24: Stuffed shells with sauce, turkey sausage, broccoli, Italian bread, grape juice, chocolate chip cookie;

Tuesday, January 25: Beef stew, noodles, Brussels sprouts, dinner roll, diet fruited Jell-O with topping;

Wednesday: Italian wedding soup, unsalted crackers, lemon-pepper chicken quarter, rice pilaf, California blend vegetable, whole wheat bread, fresh fruit;

Thursday: Pot roast with gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, rye bread, birthday cake;

Friday: Fish & chips (baked and breaded fish, tartar sauce, side of French fries) OR turkey sandwich on whole wheat with mustard and side of fries, ketchup, cole slaw vinaigrette, apricots.

Also, for planning ahead—

Monday, January 31: BBQ chicken quarter, baked sweet potato, spinach, whole wheat bread, diced pineapple bits;

Tuesday, February 1: Veal parmesan with penne and sauce, Parmesan cheese, Italian bread, broccoli, mandarin oranges.

Activities Schedule, January 17-21

Monday: AM Bridge, yoga, exercise; PM art class;

Tuesday: AM Pinochle; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), floral arranging;

Wednesday: AM Pinochle, senior fitness tests, exercise; PM Bingo;

Thursday: AM Pinochle, hatha yoga class, Municipal Agent visits; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), TRIAD/Yellow Dot photos taken, line dancing;

Friday: AM advanced mah jongg, sewing, quilting; PM beginner’s mah jongg, knitting.

 Remember, you must call at least one day in advance to book a meal or a ride, 270-4310; the Senior Bus, 748-2511.