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 more information about programs offered at the Senior Center 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 65¢ each way for the Sand Hill Plaza trip, 75¢ each way for out of town. Call 203-748-2511 TWO DAYS IN ADVANCE to book a ride and get the out-of-town Friday schedule.

 

This Week’s Programs

*Celebrate Viva Italia at the Grand Oak Villa in Oakville on Tuesday, March 22. Included will be a family-style meal, along with the singing talents of Aaron Caruso and Christina Luna. The Newtown Senior Center van will accommodate 12, reservations requested. Depart at 10:30 am; cost is $55.

*Depart at 10 am on March 25 for Westchester Broadway Theater where lunch is included. After lunch, Singing in the Rain will be presented. Only four seats left. The cost is $88.

*Bridges. A group of students comes every Wednesday afternoon at 2:15 pm to interact with the seniors. The seniors have taught them a few things, as well as the students teaching the seniors new things. This is a great experience for the seniors and students — bridging the gap. One student said, “I can’t wait until next week, I love coming here.” The seniors feel the same way. Come and join us.

*AARP Driver Safety Program will be Friday, March 25, 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.

*Sign up for the Senior Tax Relief Benefit. Appointments at the Senior Center are on Wednesdays, March 30, 1 to 4 pm; and April 6 and April 20, 9 am to noon. Bring your 2010 tax return, social security 1099, and all other 1099s for pension, interest, annuities, rental income, etc. Any questions, call the assessor’s office at 203-270-4240.

*Sign up for AARP Income Tax Assistance through April 11 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.

Upcoming Programs

“Atticus” will be presented by Richard Clark on Tuesday, April 12, at 1 pm. Atticus Finch steps from the pages of To Kill A Mockingbird and brings to life the tragedy and triumph of this classic novel. The time is 1930s Alabama, but the enduring truth is nor now and always. Call for reservations.

Day Trips

*Enjoy live entertainment by Dancin’ Fools Delight and a good hot meal, beer and wine on Thursday, April 14, at the Riverview Inn in Pennsylvania. Depart from the center at 9:30 am; cost is $73.

*See Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, Conn., on May 25. A family-style menu is included. Seats are limited, call early to reserve. Leave the center at 10:30 am; cost is $76.

Visit the Christmas Tree Shop in Holyoke, Mass., before arriving at the Log Cabin on Tuesday, May 17. Lunch will include hors d’oeuvres, award-winning clam chowder, New England boiled lobster, barbecue ribs and chicken, served with all the trimmings, and will be followed by the entertainment of Eight to the Bar. Cost is $87; book your reservation.

 Recurring Activities

*Yoga classes are Monday and Thursday at 10:30 am.

*Chair yoga classes are Tuesday at 3 to 4 pm and Friday, 11:45 am to 12:45 pm.

*Billiards room; poker/card room; ping pong; and Wii bowling, golf, tennis, and baseball.

*Wii BOWLING, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons.

*MAKE CARDS FOR OUR TROOPS every Tuesday from 10 am to noon and 1 to 3 pm.

*BEGINNERS BRIDGE LESSONS on Wednesday, 10 am with Mary Matern.

Monday: AM hatha yoga, exercise, PM chorus group, art class.

Tuesday: AM line dancing, cards for troops; PM chair yoga, Tai Chi.

Wednesday: AM bridge, exercise.

Thursday: AM hatha yoga; PM Scrabble iris folding cards.

Friday: AM Mah Jongg, quilts of valor, exercise, chair yoga; PM knitting/crocheting.

 

Menu For Week Of

March 21–25

Monday: Caribbean chicken, bowtie pasta, winter blend vegetables, seedless rye bread, apricot halves.

Tuesday: Minestrone soup with crackers, tuna salad plate on bed of lettuce with tomato and cucumber salad with French dressing, club roll, seasonal fresh fruit.

Wednesday: Hungarian goulash served over egg noodles, peas and onions, whole wheat bread, fruit cocktail.

Thursday: Roast turkey with gravy, herb stuffing, mixed vegetables, cranberry sauce garnish, dinner roll, birthday cake.

And for planning ahead—

Monday, March 28: Cheese baked ziti, meatballs in marinara sauce, parmesan cheese, Roman blend vegetables, garlic bread, season pie.

Tuesday, March 29: Pork roast with gravy, cut sweet potato, green beans, seedless rye bread, peaches.