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.

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REMINDERS: The senior center will be CLOSED on Monday, FEBRUARY 21, in observance of Presidents’ Day.

*Newtown Senior Center will host CHOLESTEROL SCREENINGS on Thursday, February 24, from 9 am to noon. This will be open to all Newtown residents – there is no age limit. The screenings are being sponsored by the VNA of Newtown.

Call 270-4310 to register and for additional details including information on pre-screening fasting.

*The senior center is in need of DONATIONS OF YARN AND MATERIALS for crafts. All donations would be greatly appreciated.

*We are also SEARCHING FOR AN ART TEACHER, to lead the seniors in instruction of painting with acrylics and oil-based paints. Contact senior center director Marilyn Place at 270-4310 for details.

*AARP INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE has returned. Representatives will be visiting the senior center Monday mornings from 9 am until noon until April 11.

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.

*Back by popular demand: ETHEL KAUFMAN is returning to the senior center every Monday at 1 pm to lead a CHORUS GROUP. Come enjoy some festive music with your friends.

*Pat Babbage has returned, and she is teaching EXERCISE classes on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Classes begin at 10:30 am.

*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.

*Lynn Flanders is teaching COUNTRY-WESTERN LINE DANCING each Tuesday morning from 10:30 until 11:30. Cost for each class is $1. Lynn has a unique style and she’s full of energy – come join the fun!

*Join Ann McGrath for a CRAFT CLASS on the first Tuesday of each month. There are different themes each month. The next workshop will be March 1.

*On the second, third and fourth (and fifth, when applicable) Tuesdays of each month, FLORAL ARRANGING workshops will meet with Marianne Imhoff. These sessions will begin at 1 pm. Please call to sign up.

*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.

*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 March 5-13 in COSTA DEL SOL AND MADRID, and a May trip to GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA.

Trip booklets for 2005 are ready. Stop by the senior center to pick one up.

Menu For Week of

February 14-18

Reservations must be made one or two days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Monday, February 14 (Valentine’s Day Special): Pot roast with gravy, mashed potatoes, broccoli florettes, Italian bread, Valentine’s Day cake;

Tuesday, February 15: Chicken cacciatore quarter, spaghetti, fresh zucchini, grape juice, Italian bread, blueberry pie;

Wednesday: Crab cakes, tartar sauce, macaroni and cheese, Italian vegetable medley, whole wheat bread, pistachio pudding with topping;

Thursday: Lentil soup, unsalted crackers, French dip sandwich, grinder roll, coleslaw, diet fruited Jell-O with topping;

Friday (Presidents’ Day Special): Vegetable lasagna, broccoli, tossed salad with Italian dressing, parmesan cheese, soft breadstick, cherry pie.

Also, for planning ahead—

Monday, January 25: No lunch or activities today. The senior center will be closed for Presidents’ Day.

Tuesday, January 26: Split pea soup, unsalted crackers, quiche lorraine, carrots, dinner roll, fresh fruit.

Activities Schedule,

February 14-18

Monday: AM Bridge, yoga, exercise, AARP income tax assistance (by appointment); PM chorus group;

Tuesday: AM Pinochle, country-western line dancing; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), floral arranging;

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

Thursday: AM Pinochle, hatha yoga class, Municipal Agent visits; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), TRIAD/Yellow Dot photos taken, TRIAD S.A.L.T. meeting;

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.