The Newtown Senior Center celebrated the fourth annual Newtown Senior Citizen Recognition Day with a special luncheon on April 13.

"Four years ago," Senior Center Director Marilyn Place announced, "Rudy Magnan approached me about having the League of Newtown Senior Voters meet here at the center. Within a short period of time, Rudy and Steven Rosenblatt spearheaded - with the help of Senator Tony Hwang and State Representative Mitch Bolinsky - a proclamation from our governor that April 5 be known as Newtown Senior Recognition Day."

Even though the ceremony happened the following week this year, it did not lack in appreciating the dedicated group of local volunteers who help make the Senior Center what it is today.

In the nearly 30 years that Ms Place has been with the Senior Center, she says that the ones who make an imprint are those that give back to the community they love.

Jane Sturgis is one of those people.

A 61-year resident of Newtown, Ms Sturgis has volunteered her time at the Senior Center for the last 24 years by teaching knitting and crocheting classes. She has also used her talents to knit items for the Red Cross, as well as tracheotomy covers for Danbury Hospital.

While taking classes to become a registered nurse, Ms Sturgis received a scholarship through the Visiting Nurses Association to help continue her education at Western Connecticut State University. She now works at Danbury Hospital and specializes with the in-patient psychiatry unit.

To commemorate Ms Sturgis' many contributions and achievements, Ms Place presented her with a certificate of recognition, a bouquet of yellow roses, and a specially etched plaque that reads "Thank you for making every moment count."

During the ceremony, five honorable mentions were acknowledged: Terry Curry for more than 20 years of service, Luella Dwyer for over 15 years of service, Candice Slinko for over 10 years of service, Karin Aurelia for ten years of service, and Marie McLenithan for four years of service.

First Selectman Dan Rosenthal spoke at the Newtown Senior Citizen Recognition Day ceremony and said, "To be here today and be able to recognize some the folks that really work hard for our senior community is a privilege for me… I'm blessed to be able to be here and share it with all of you."

He then read Ms Sturgis an official Town of Newtown Office of the First Selectman Proclamation to recognize her for the many years she has dedicated to the community.

Following Mr Rosenthal's speech, Ms Place invited everyone to enjoy food catered by The Villa and entertainment by Billy Michaels.