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

*Easter bingo will be Wednesday, April 4, at 1 pm.

*On Thursday, April 5, at noon, our traveling chef will prepare baked ginger ham, raison sauce, sweet potatoes, green beans, Caesar salad, and dessert. Cost is $6 and is due by March 30. Limit is 30; call for a reservation.

*The center will be closed for Good Friday on April 6.

*Chair massages are being given on Thursdays at 11 am, conducted by Mary Ellen Olivieri, licensed massage therapist. The sessions last from five minutes minimum to 30 minutes at $1 per minute. There is no oil used and it is performed right over clothing. At time of reservations state how long you want your massage appointment to be.

*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.

Upcoming Programs

*Rachel DiVanno, a junior at Newtown High School. is working on her Junior/Senior Project and will be building Audubon birdhouses. On Thursday, April 19, from 10:30 am to 1 pm, she will conduct a class to paint and decorate the birdhouses. The class is limited to 12; sign up at the center. The class, paint, and birdhouses are free.

*“Let’s Talk About Advance Directives” is the Lunch and Learn Series topic for Friday, April 20, at noon. If you are unable to communicate your wishes regarding your medical care, an advance directive is a legal document that communicates your wishes to physicians and others entrusted with your care. Linda Pickney, nurse liaison at Regional Hospice & Home Care, will present the workshop.

*“Hospice Medicare Benefit” is the Lunch and Learn Series topic for Friday, May 18, at noon. Learn about specific care and services covered under Medicare and who is eligible for hospice and also the disease-specific indicators by diagnosis for the most appropriate and timely access for the services.

Day Trips

*Italian Feast at Inn at Villa Bianca on Wednesday, April 11. A family-style luncheon will include antipasto, pasta fagioli, penne, chicken parmigiana, cannoli cake, a complimentary drink and live entertainment. Cost is $29.95. The van seats 16 or car pool. Depart at 10:30 am.

*On Wednesday, April 18, depart at 9 am for a “Spring Fling” at Platzl Bauhaus, Pomona, N.Y. A luncheon of London broil, broiled tilapia or chicken cordon bleu, along with all the fixings and strawberry shortcake, soda, beer, and wine will be served. At 4 pm, a standing steamship roast will be carved. The sights and sounds of the 1950s and 1960s will be performed by Jim Henning & the Heartbeats, along with a dance show. Cost is $84.

*On Monday, April 23, depart for the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville for a tribute to Barry Manilow. Sing and dance along with Dave Collucci. A luncheon of pasta, salad, roast pork, chicken Français, and dessert will be served family style, along with a complimentary drink. Depart at 10 am; cost is $68.

Overnight Trips

*Depart en route to Cape Cod for a two-night stay, Friday to Sunday April 27–29, at the Cape Codder Resort. Enjoy dinner and entertainment at the Cape Cod Irish Village. Day two, board the ferry to Nantucket to see the daffodil festival, antique car parade, and enjoy a lobster dinner. View Currier & Ives prints, ride a 1912 carousel, see military exhibits and antique toys on the third day at Heritage Plantation, followed by Sunday brunch. Cost is $435 double, $535 single and $415 triple.

Recurring Activities

Monday: 10 am, pinochle; 10:30 am, exercise; noon, lunch; 1 pm, chorus/sing-along; 1:30 pm, art class. 2 pm yoga.

Tuesday: 10 am, Cards 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; 10:30 am Iris fold cards; noon, lunch; 1 pm, Scrabble, 1 pm, yoga.

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

April 2–6

Monday: Montreal chicken, brown rice pilaf, California blend vegetables, oat bread, cranapple juice, apricots.

Tuesday: Swedish meatballs over bowtie noodles, Scandinavian blend vegetables, wheat dinner roll, fresh fruit.

Wednesday: Chicken noodle soup with crackers, turkey a la king served over rice, peas and carrots, buttermilk biscuit, chocolate chip cookie.

Thursday: Easter Special: Baked ham with gravy, sweet potato pone, whole green beans, seedless rye bread, hot cross buns.

And for planning ahead—

Monday, April 9: New Orleans chicken, brown rice, broccoli, oat bread, pineapple juice, mandarin oranges.

Tuesday, April 10: Minestrone soup with crackers, tuna sandwich on rye, carrot and raisin salad, pickles, brownie.