Services for Newtown seniors are sponsored by the Commission on Aging and are available at the Multi-Purpose Building on Riverside Road in Sandy Hook. For more information about programs offered at the Senior Center call 270-4310.

For information on federal, state and community resources available to seniors, call 270-4330 or 270-4315.

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 60¢ 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.

News For Week of March April 14-18

*Please note the senior center will be CLOSED ON FRIDAY, APRIL 18, in observance of Good Friday.

*The senior center will be hosting a presentation with Daniel E. Wollman, MD, PhD, on Wednesday, April 23, at 1 pm. Dr Wollman, who is visiting from Southern New England Memory Disorders Center, will be here to discuss MEDICINE SAFETY.

Join us for a discussion about your own experiences and concerns using medication and also to voice questions and share ideas about how medication information can best be conveyed to you. We will discuss currently available strategies using pill dispensers and containers, medication lists, as well as other devices or techniques to improve safety. Call the senior center to sign up for this free, informative event.

*Newtown seniors are invited to MOHEGAN SUN CASINO on Wednesday, May 7. Cost is $21 per person and departure is at 8 pm. The trip fee includes bus transportation, $10 in food credit, and two $5 plays on the Big 6 Wheel or one $10 play on the Big 6 Wheel. Call the senior center soon to sign up; these trips usually fill up fast!

This Week’s Programs

*The TAX RELIEF PROGRAM for town and state will be held at the senior center on Tuesday, April 15, from 1 to 4 pm, and Tuesday, April 29, from 9 am to noon and 1 to 4 pm. This year’s income limits are $26,100 for a single person and $31,900 for a married couple. If you have any questions please call the Tax Assessor’s office at 270-4240.

*The American Red Cross will be offering a program on “PREPARING FOR THE UNEXPECTED” on Tuesday, April 15, at 1 pm, at the senior center. Now more than ever, the American Red Cross is encouraging people to develop emergency response plans for their home, workplaces and schools so that everyone knows how to respond to an act of terror or any other emergency that might occur. Call the senior center to sign up for this informative event.

*On Wednesday, April 16, at 1 pm, the second in a series of MAINTAINING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AND HEALTHY HEART programs will be offered. These are programs co-sponsored by Danbury Visiting Nurse Association and Newtown Senior Center. Call to sign up for this informative event.

*On Thursday, April 17, BILL MICHAELS will return to the senior center for live entertainment. Call to reserve a seat.

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REMINDERS: NEW HORIZONS, a support group for widows and widowers, usually meets at the senior center on the first Tuesday of each month. The next meeting will be on May 6 at 3 pm.

*THE AARP 55-ALIVE DRIVING COURSE is returning the weekends of April 14-15 and May 12-13. You must attend both days in the session you sign up for in order to receive credit for the course. There is limited seating, as the course will be presented at the senior center this year. Call us to sign up.

*The RSVP volunteers continue to work on CHEMO CAPS for cancer patients and can still use donations of stretchy/poly material. If you have any material to spare, please visit the senior center to donate it.

*We can always use, year-round, donations of material and yarn.

*Our SEWING CLASS is currently working on chemo caps, totes for cancer patients, and trach bibs. If you are interested in helping with this project, please join us on Mondays at 1 pm.

*We are always updating the SENIOR CENTER’S BIRTHDAY LIST. Call 270-4310 so that we may wish you well on your next big day.

*NEED HELP WITH MEDICARE? A HICAP/CHOICES volunteer is here on Monday afternoons from 1 to 2 pm by appointment only. There is no charge for this service. Come in and talk to someone who can give you good answers, to help with problems and/or changes. Call the center to make an appointment. To talk to a CHOICES representative at any time, call 800/944-9422.

*Ann Piccini from Social Services is at the senior center each Wednesday to HELP WITH APPLICATIONS including CONNPACE, MEDICAL, TITLE 19, REDETERMINATIONS, etc. No appointment is necessary. Ann will be here each week from 10 am to noon.

*HATHA YOGA CLASSES are Monday afternoons at 1 as well as Thursday mornings at 10. Bring a mat or towel to lie on and wear loose clothing (no belts; sweats are perfect).

*EXERCISE CLASSES on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10 am are vigorous yet gentle, with lots of stretches. The class incorporates resistance band work with some low-impact cardio and lots of stretches. Participants are encouraged to go at their own rate and finish feeling refreshed, invigorated and with more energy.

*Join Marilyn on Tuesdays at 1:30 for AFTERNOON CRAFTS.

*Join us at BROOKFIELD LANES each Tuesday and Thursday for a great time bowling. We meet at noon and the cost is only $1.25 per game.

*Join us at the senior center each Thursday afternoon for CHORUS GROUP at 1 pm. Join us, too, if you play the piano.

*QUILTING CLASS meets on Fridays at 10 am.

*MAH JONGG players have two opportunities on Fridays. The advanced group plays at 9 am, and a beginner’s group plays at 1.

*Booklets outlining DAY TRIPS FOR 2003 sponsored by the senior center, from week-long overseas excursions to day trips within the region, are now available. Stop by and pick one up. Please remember that all trips must be paid for with ten working days of when you sign up for a trip.

*Also new in the trips itinerary is an Ace In The Hole presentation, THE POLISH FESTIVAL, on Wednesday, April 30. Departure for this trip is 8:30 am, and cost is $67. Join us for the unforgettable Jan Lewan Show, dancing and singing all day, and a lunch including offerings of kielbasa and sauerkraut, chicken paprikas, pierogies and all the trimmings. This was a huge success last year, so we’re suggesting that anyone interested sign up quickly, before all the seats are accounted for.

Menu For Week of April 14-18

Reservations must be made three days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Monday: Meatloaf w/ gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, French bread, diet fruited Jell-O w/ topping;

Tuesday: Fish Florentine, rice pilaf, carrots, rye bread, pistachio pudding w/ topping;

Wednesday: Chicken noodle soup, unsalted crackers, grilled chicken Caesar salad w/ tomato, croutons & Caesar dressing, Italian bread, pineapple tidbits;

Thursday: Fresh ham w/ gravy, baked potato w/ margarine & sour cream, French green beans, dinner roll, hot cross buns.

Friday: No lunch today. The senior center will be closed for Good Friday.

Activities Schedule, April 14-18

Monday: AM Pinochle, Bridge, art class; PM yoga, sewing (RSVP volunteers), HMO help (by appointment);

Tuesday: AM Pinochle, exercise; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), tax relief program, Red Cross program;

Wednesday: AM line dancing, Pinochle, Social Services help with applications; PM “Healthy Lifestyle” program;

Thursday: AM exercise, Pinochle, yoga; PM crafts, bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), chorus group, entertainment by Bill Michaels;

Friday: No programs – senior center will be closed on Good Friday.

 

Remember, you must call three days in advance to book a meal or a ride, 270-4310; the Senior Bus, 748-2511.