Friends of Newtown Seniors (FONS) is once again planning another Membership Dinner to share its mission, accomplishments in the past year, and connect with Newtown’s senior population.

This year’s Membership Dinner will be held from 5 to 8 pm, Wednesday, May 7, at Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street. Must be 55 and older, as well as a Newtown resident. There is no cost to attend.

Reservations are required before April 30, and can be done at zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/fons-2025-member-meeting or by calling 203-430-0633.

FONS Board Member Beverly Bennett Schaedler said that the purpose of the meeting is to give everyone an overview of what the organization has achieved in the past year and their goals heading into the future. She will deliver a report on behalf of FONS, which will provide updates on their various programs such as Newtown Rides and Chore Services.

One of their current big initiatives is the “Timeless Newtown” series, which is being presented alongside the Commission on Aging and C.H. Booth Library, and aims to mitigate stereotypes and negative thinking towards the elderly and the aging process.

Much like last year, there will be time for socializing over a buffet dinner and dessert. Attendees are invited to sample the “Flavors of Newtown,” as all of the food for the event will come from local restaurants and businesses. There will be salads, vegetable trays, cheese trays, eggplant rollatini, burritos, steamed dumplings, desserts, and more. Drinks such as water, along with red and white wine donated by Sean Cronin, will also be available.

Featured restaurants include Angelina’s Deli, Barnwood Bar and Grill, Blue Colony Diner, Cover Two Sports, Gino’s Parlor, HillTop Kitchen, My Place, Papa Al’s Pizza, Pizza Palace, Sal E Pepe, and Sugo Gastrobar.

The reason FONS held a Membership Dinner for the first time last year, Bennett Schaedler said, was because people either had never gone to a meeting before or had never even heard of the organization.

“So we decided that it was time we invite everybody 55 and plus who wants to hear about what FONS is and what we do,” Bennett Schaedler said.

Last year’s event had around 110 attendees, with many signing up to volunteer and help FONS afterwards. Some of the attendees at last year’s Membership Dinner were Newtown residents Joan Alexander and Louise Cronin, who both eventually became members of the FONS Events Committee. Alexander is now also a FONS Board Member.

“If it wasn’t for that event last year, we wouldn’t have had these great people,” Bennett Schaedler said. “We hope to keep things up this year.”

To learn more about Friends of Newtown Seniors, visit friendsofnewtownseniors.org, call 203-430-0633, or email info@friendsofnewtownseniors.org.

=====

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.