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

*Come in on February 29 at 1 pm and enjoy the movie The Help, a timeless instant classic about the ability to create change.

*On Thursdays at 2:30 pm, create unique spring cards for relatives, friends, the troops, and local nursing homes at the Iris fold card-making sessions. There is a small fee.

*Sign up for AARP Income Tax Assistance 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.

*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

*Newtown Property Tax help will be available Wednesday, March 28, from 9 am to noon. Appointment is not necessary.

*Friday, March 19, the Newtown Senior Center staff will be cooking and serving a fish dinner with all the trimmings. This luncheon is limited to 30 people and the cost is $6. Call to reserve your seat.

*Enjoy singing to the oldies but goodies? Still looking for members to join the choir on Mondays at 1 pm. Piano player, Ethel, will not be at the center on March 19.

Day Trips

*On March 8, at 2 pm the senior center van will be providing transportation from the center (for those who prefer not to drive; seats are limited to 16) to the high school’s annual tea/show for Newtown Seniors. The production this year is Bye Bye Birdie. RSVP to Liz at 203-270-7998, as well as the center to reserve your seating on the van.

*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.

*The next bus trip to Mohegan Sun will be March 29. The cost is $30, which includes $15 meal voucher and two $5 vouchers for betting.

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 27–March 3

Monday: Apricot chicken, couscous pilaf, California blend vegetables, seedless rye bread, diet fruited Jell-O with whipped topping.

Tuesday: Beef and bean chili served over brown rice, corn niblets, dinner roll, grape juice, fresh fruit.

Wednesday: Hot open turkey sandwich on wheat with gravy, cranberry sauce, steak fries, fresh zucchini, pears.

Thursday: Hamburger on a wheat bun, ketchup, sweet potato fries, green beans, diet fruited Jell-O with whipped topping.

And for planning ahead—

Monday, March 5: Spaghetti and meatballs, parmesan cheese, spinach salad with tomato, ranch dressing, Italian bread, seasonal fresh fruit.

Tuesday, March 6: Herb baked chicken quarter, cut sweet potato, bean blend vegetables, pumpernickel dinner roll, cranberry juice, applesauce.