SENIOR NEWS

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

July 12-16

*SEEKING AN ART TEACHER: Do you have an artistic flair, and would be willing to share that talent with senior citizens?

We are in search of an art teacher for the Newtown Senior Center. Art classes would be held on Monday afternoons at 1.

Please contact Marilyn Place to discuss this opportunity.

*Newtown seniors are invited to attend a MEDICARE CARD UPDATE on Wednesday, July 21, at 1 pm. A representative from C.H.O.I.C.E.S. will be visiting the senior center to discuss the latest updates on the discount cards from Medicare. You must sign up for this important seminar.

*A BEACH PARTY with Bill Michaels is being planned for Thursday, July 22, at 1 pm. Wear your sunglasses and bathing suits, and come out to the senior center for an hour of singing and dancing. It’ll be safe to leave the sunscreen at home.

*We will be having a BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING with members of Danbury VNA on Wednesday, July 28, at 1 pm.

Please note there are no blood pressure screenings in July or August with members of Bethel VNA. They will resume their regular schedule in September.

*Spend a day around Boston: Newtown senior citizens can spend their day on a WHALE WATCH. Departure is 6:30 am on Tuesday, August 10, when we will leave Newtown and head towards Boston, where we will board a high-speed Catamaran for a whale watch. There are three outside decks for viewing and a comfortable cushioned area inside the boat, complete with a snack bar.

Upon returning to dry land plan to enjoy a wonderful lunch at The Living Room. Entrée choices are Boston haddock, grilled chicken breast or Yankee pot roast. After lunch there will be time to browse at Quincy Market and Fanueil Hall.

Call the senior center for cost information and other details.

*Also available for Newtown’s senior citizens: SAIL ABOARD A SCHOONER. Join us for a fun-filled day on Wednesday, September 8, when we travel to Abbott’s in the Rough, a great restaurant in Noank, for lunch of lobster, filet of fish or BBQ chicken, complete with all the trimming (including clam chowder). Then enjoy a three-hour cruise out of Mystic aboard the 81-foot Argia, an authentic replica on a 19th Century gaff-rigged schooner.

Cost for this trip is $80 per person, and departure will be at 8 am. Stop in or call the senior center for details.

 

This Week’s Programs

*Newtown Senior Center will host a TRIAD YELLOW DOT KICKOFF on Wednesday, July 14, at 10 am.

The program consists of each senior citizen having their photo taken and an identification card filled out, both of which are kept in the glove box of an automobile. The program is a safety program that local first responders are being trained in, and in the event of an emergency a yellow Triad decal on a driver’s windshield will help those first responders help you better.

Guest speakers will include First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, CT Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, Newtown Police Chief Michael Kehoe, members of the S.A.L.T. Advisory Council, and Angela Deleon, the People’s Bank State Triad Coordinator. Please come learn about this important new program, and take part. Seating will be limited, so call for a reservation as soon as possible.

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REMINDERS: Has it been a while since you’ve played Bridge? Would you like to learn how? Stop by the senior center any Monday at 10 am for MARY MATERN’S BRIDGE GROUP.

*UPDATE ON CLASSES: The senior center has different forms of exercise classes available. Why not stop by and find a class that fits your needs?

YOGA classes are offered on Monday and Thursday mornings at 10. Try a class to get rid of stress and anxiety while learning to breathe correctly. Bring a mat or towel to lie on and wear loose clothing (no belts; sweats are perfect). Also learn how to use all the muscles in your body through relaxation. Helen Herbold is our yoga instructor.

Maybe LINE DANCING is your thing. Each Wednesday from 10 to 11:30 am, you can find Jane Dwyer dancing to all types of music. Lessons are given every week if needed; the rest of the time is open for dancing.

We also offer CHAIR EXERCISE for the senior citizens who haven’t exercised in a while, and an AEROBIC-RESISTANCE BAND class for those who are on the go and still exercise regularly. Instructor Debbie Kenyon leads the chair classes – a low-level class that’s perfect for those who haven’t exercised in a while and those who would like some additional upper body stretching – on Mondays at 1 pm and Wednesdays at 9:15 am, and the resistance band classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 am.

Call the senior center to find out more, or just stop in and be ready to move!

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

*ART CLASSES are Monday afternoons at 1.

* AFTERNOON CRAFTS are offered Tuesdays at 1:30.

*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.

* CHORUS GROUP is at the senior center each Thursday afternoon at 1 pm. Pianists are also invited.

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

*QUILTING CLASS meets on Fridays at 10 am.

*Trips scheduled for later in the year include a four-day trip to Washington, D.C., in September (four days, $389 per person/twin) and a cruise onboard the Norwegian Cruise ship Norwegian Crown, also in September (seven days). Call or visit the senior center for details on either of these trips.

Menu For Week of

 July 12-16

Reservations must be made one or two days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Monday: Cheese baked ziti, meatballs, tossed salad with Italian dressing, garlic bread, Parmesean cheese, seasonal fresh fruit;

Tuesday: Cream of broccoli soup, unsalted crackers, southern breaded fish, au gratin potatoes, broiled tomato, oatmeal bread, pineapple tidbits

—OR—

Chicken salad sandwich, lettuce, deli roll;

Wednesday: Croissant cordon blue with ham and cheese, French fries, mustard, tossed salad with French dressing, fruit pudding parfait with topping;

Thursday: Sliced turkey with gravy, stuffing, Italian vegetable blend, cornbread, cranberry sauce, ice cream cup;

Friday: Cold sliced roast beef, grinder roll, lettuce, mayonnaise, pickled beets, orange juice, strawberry shortcake.

Activities Schedule,

July 12-16

Monday: AM Bridge, hatha yoga class PM Bingo, chair exercise class, art class;

Tuesday: AM Pinochle, exercise; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes);

Wednesday: AM Pinochle, chair exercise, line dancing, TRIAD program kick-off; PM;

Thursday: AM Pinochle, exercise, hatha yoga class; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes);

Friday: AM advanced mah jongg, sewing, quilting; PM beginner’s mah jongg, knitting.

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