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        

September 8-12

*On Tuesday, September 23, from 1 to 2 pm, join us for a program with MASSAGE THERAPIST ANITA MOTT, who holds licenses in Connecticut and New York. She will demonstrate and discuss what she does and will then fulfill six appointments of ten minutes each. Appointments are absolutely necessary if you’d like one of the massages, so call the senior center right away to make one.

*Newtown senior citizens are invited to participate in a day trip to MOHEGAN SUN CASINO on Wednesday, November 5. Departure will be at 8 am and cost is $21 per person, which includes coach bus transportation to Uncasville and the driver’s tip, $10 in food credits, and two $5 plays on the big wheel or one $10 play on the big wheel. Sign up early; this is usually a popular trip.

*Newtown seniors are also invited to a day trip to HUNT’S LANDING for a Big Band Festival on Thursday, November 13. Departure is 9:30 and the cost is $62 per person. Enjoy a fabulous Big Band show, dancing, a sit-down dinner, one hour open bar, two hours of a beer-wine-soda bar, and a Big Band Cash Raffle. Call the senior center for details or to sign up.

This Week’s Programs

*Patricia Harkin from MASS MUTUAL visits the senior center on the second Tuesday of each month to volunteer her services on all FINANCIAL ISSUES. She will be here beginning at 11 am. Her next visit will be on September 9. Stop by to meet her and receive some free financial counseling.

*FOOT-STOMPIN’ SINGALONG: Join us for a fun hour of singing beginning at 1 pm on Thursday, September 11, with guests Mike and Bob.

*FOOT SPECIALIST DR RICHARD GOSNAY will be at the senior center Friday, September 12, for foot screenings. Dr Grosnay will see patients from 9 am to noon, and appointments are necessary. Please call to make an appointment.

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REMINDERS: FLORAL WREATHS: Join us on Tuesday, September 16, at 1 pm, to meet Ann McGrath, who will demonstrate how to make a beautiful floral wreath. Ann will be visiting the senior center once a month to teach a special craft, each one different. On some crafts there may be a small materials fee; cost for the wreath workshop is $3. Class size is limited to 12 students. Call the senior center to sign up.

*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.

*Marilyn’s at it again – Grab your walking shoes and catch up with her for WEEKLY WALKS AT FAIRFIELD HILLS each Monday at 10 am. She starts each week from Newtown House.

*CHAIR EXERCISE: Debbie’s exercise class is now being offered on two occasions each week. Join us at the senior center Monday afternoons at 1 pm and Wednesday mornings at 10.

This is a low-level chair exercise class. We target the seniors who haven’t exercised in a while and those who would like additional upper body stretching.

*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).

*If getting exercise indoors is more your thing, visit the senior center on Mondays at 10 am for CHAIR EXERCISE WITH DEBBIE. This new exercise class is a low impact class. We will target seniors who may not have exercised in a while as well as those who would like a new way to achieve upper body stretching.

*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.

*Join Debbie Kenyon for 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.

*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.

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

*The revival of THE GOLDEN NOTES CHORUS: If you are interested in singing and/or if you play a musical instrument then join us on Thursdays from 3 to 4 pm for The Golden Notes Chorus. Call Marilyn with any questions.

*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.

*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 October 7 at 3 pm.

*Booklets outlining DAY TRIPS FOR 2003 sponsored by the senior center, from week-long overseas excursions to day trips within the region, are 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.

*FALL FOLIAGE IN WILMINGTON, VT., will be a busy one-day trip on Wednesday, September 17. Cost is $70 per person. Departure is 7:15 am. Participants will travel to the Old Red Mill in beautiful southern Vermont where lunch will include a choice of baked salmon or chicken teriyaki. After lunch enjoy a fun musical show by Dusti. Call the senior center for details or to make a reservation.

*WESTCHESTER DINNER THEATER will present SWING on Wednesday, September 24. Cost for this trip is $63 per person and departure is 9:30 am. Seating is limited.

Menu For Week of       

 September 8-12

Reservations must be made three days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Monday: Boneless chicken teriyaki with fried rice, Oriental vegetable medley, whole wheat bread, ice cream sandwich;

Tuesday: Tuna salad plate (tuna, lettuce and tomato), French cut green beans, seedless deli roll, watermelon;

Wednesday: BBQ pulled pork, three-bean salad, potato salad, Portuguese roll, fruited diet Jell-O with topping;

Thursday: Tomato-rice soup, unsalted crackers, meatloaf with gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, oatmeal bread, brownie;

Friday: Honey glazed ham with raisin sauce, scalloped potatoes, peas and pearl onions, rye bread, fresh fruit.

Activities Schedule,   

 September 8-12

Monday: AM Pinochle, Bridge, art class, walking group (at Newtown House, Fairfield Hills); PM yoga, sewing (RSVP volunteers), HMO help (by appointment), chair exercise class;

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

Wednesday: AM chair exercise class, line dancing, Pinochle; PM Social Services help with applications;

Thursday: AM exercise, Pinochle, yoga; PM crafts, bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), chorus (1 and 3 pm), singing & dancing program;

Friday: AM advanced mah jongg, sewing, quilting, foot screenings (appointment necessary); PM knitting, beginner’s mah jongg.

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