Newtown Senior Center hosted an open house and health expo on July 20 that drew a steady crowd of attendees.

The three-hour event offered a look at some of the center’s exercise classes, the opportunity to look around the full center, meet and greet with staff, and meet and greet with multiple health care representatives.

Newtown Human Services Director Natalie Jackson, whose job includes directing the Simpson Street location, had said a few days earlier that the plan was for the open house to “mirror, a little bit, of the Town’s traditional annual health fair, but with more of a senior focus.”

The event ended up being exactly that, and then some.

As guests arrived, they were greeted with music being performed by Solid Gold Times Two. Josie and Bob Schmidt were in the lobby, performing familiar songs while accompanying themselves on guitar and tambourine.

Opposite the Schmidts, Janice Garten also greeted many people as they arrived inside the cool building. Garten was at a card table that featured a pair of raffle baskets filled with donated items that went home with lucky ticket holders.

The baskets were filled with gardening items, lotions, Newtown Senior Center T-shirts, and certificates for goods or services donated by Edmond Town Hall, Ferris Acres Creamery, TIGI Newtown Hairdressing, and Town Players, among others.

In the center’s large meeting room, Zach Macey was providing additional entertainment, performing on the grand piano there.

Vendors lined the hallways and meeting rooms, representing businesses, organizations, and clubs. C.H. Booth Library, Church Hill Village, Coastal Hearing Aid, Edward Jones Financial Advisors, Friends of Newtown Seniors, Hartford HealthCare, Kindred Spirits, Newtown Cares, Newtown Lions Club, Newtown Parks & Recreation, Nuvance Health, NYA Sports & Fitness Center, and Stem Physical Rehabilitation were among those with employees or volunteers ready to answer questions and provide information.

Nick’s Catering, which caters many of the center’s lunches, also had a table set up Thursday afternoon. Attendees were invited to purchase any of six entrees regularly served at the center.

Deep Stretch, Broadway Burn, Chair Yoga or MELT exercise classes were offered. While waiting for the classes, guests were invited by Community Health Nurse Joan Santucci to have their blood pressure checked.

Organizers clearly tried to represent as many senior center and regional health offers as they could during the three hours. Dozens of people responded to the invitation to the open house and health expo.

Maria Xavier, a financial advisor with Edward Jones who does presentations at the senior center, enjoyed the open house.

“It was a really fun event. They did a great job setting it up,” she said.

Sandy Hook resident Anne Micklus was among those carrying a reusable bag that was filling with pamphlets and other handouts as she visited the various tables and displays.

“This is a wonderful event, such a great health fair,” she said. “I hope it helps them get some new members.”

Organizers had hoped, they said in advance, that the open house would not only reintroduce current senior center members to offerings already available to them but also attract the interest of those who should learn about and join the facility.

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.