Senior services for Newtown seniors are available at the Multipurpose Building on Riverside Road in Sandy Hook. The Senior Center is under the auspices of the Commission on Aging. The center is run by Senior Services Director Marilyn Place. For information about programs offered, call 203-270-4310.

You may drop in at the Senior Center weekdays between 9 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 minibus 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 Walmart Route 6). Cost is $1 each way for the Sand Hill Plaza trip. Call 203-748-2511 TWO DAYS IN ADVANCE to book a ride and get the out-of-town Friday schedule.

This Week’s Programs

*No yoga classes on February 2, 3, and 6.

*Looking for donations of yarn.

*Sign up for AARP Income Tax Assistance February 6 through April 9 on Mondays from 9 am to noon. This is for low- and middle-income taxpayers. If married, both spouses should be present. A checklist is available at the Newtown Senior Center of what documents should be brought in.

*Dress in red and come for Valentine Bingo on Wednesday, February 8, at 1 pm. Refreshments will be served.

*Zumba will now be offered at  9 am starting Friday, February 3.

*Beat the winter boredom with board games on Thursdays at 10 am! Many games to choose from or bring one of your favorites to share. Coffee will be supplied.

*Watch Channel 3 during inclement weather to see if the center is open or closed. If there is a delayed school opening, morning classes will be canceled; early dismissal, no classes in the afternoon.

 

Upcoming Programs

*A lively fun white elephant auction will be Wednesday, February 15, at 1 pm. Donations of new or gently used merchandise will be accepted until February 12. Please no clothing. This is a fundraiser to offset the cost of a new microwave.

*The center will be closed on Monday, February 20, in observance of Presidents’ Day.

Day Trips

*Chocolate Fest at Hunt’s Landing on Tuesday, February 14, includes hot breakfast buffet on the patio by the pool, play bingo or watch a movie. A three-hour open bar, music, dancing, activities and entertainment, along with a buffet dinner, which includes chocolate dishes and all the trimmings. Cost is $80; depart at 9 am.

*Ace in the Hole presents a Great Day for the Irish on Tuesday, March 13, at the Royal Manor in Garfield, N.J., which includes a family-style lunch of corned beef and cabbage and roasted chicken with all the trimmings, two complimentary drinks during Happy Hour. The St Patrick’s Day party stars Irish tenor Jimmy Walsh, comic Dale Grand, and the Black Velvet Band. Cost is $86; depart at 9 am.

*AARP Driver Safety Program will be Friday, March 16, from 12:30 to 4:30 pm, one day only. This is a refresher course. Insurance discount is available. Fee payable day of class, $12 AARP members, $14 otherwise.

Overnight Trips

*Getaway weekend on Thursday and Friday, February 23–24, to Mohegan Sun includes food coupons or two buffets, free bet; enjoy the swimming pool or sit in the hot tub. The prices are $121 pp double, $181 pp single, and $116 pp triple.

 

Recurring Activities

Monday: 10 am, pinochle; 10:30 am, exercise; noon, lunch; 1 pm, chorus/sing-along and yoga; 1:30 pm, art class.

Tuesday: 10 am, Valentines for Troops; 10 am, pinochle; 10:30, line dancing; noon, lunch; 2 pm, tai chi; 3 pm, chair yoga.

Wednesday: 10 am, bridge or pinochle; 10:30 am, exercise; noon, lunch; 2:30 pm, Bridges.

Thursday: 10 am, board games or pinochle; noon, lunch; 1 pm, Scrabble, 1 pm, yoga; 1:30, crafts; 2:30 pm, Iris fold cards.

Friday: 9 am, Zumba Gold and mah jongg; 10 am, pinochle; 10:30 am, quilting and exercise; noon, knit or crochet; 3 pm, chair yoga.

Other items available at any time are: Wii (bowling, tennis, baseball, golf), pool table, ping pong table, card table, and various board games.

 

Menu For Week Of

February 6–10

Monday: Onion soup, Grandioli Florentine ravioli, sausage, winter blend vegetables, Italian bread, sugar cookie.

Tuesday: Fish with lemon sauce, O’Brien potatoes, fresh acorn squash, wheat bread, mandarin oranges.

Wednesday: Pork with fruit salsa, smashed potato, chopped spinach, multigrain dinner roll, fresh fruit.

Thursday: Beef stuffed pepper, rice, diced carrots, oat bread, peaches.

And for planning ahead—

Monday, February 13: Center is open but no lunch served

Tuesday, February 14: Valentine’s Day Special: Beef braciole with gravy, au gratin potatoes, green beans, wheat dinner roll, holiday cake.