Senior services for Newtown seniors are available at the Multi-Purpose Building on Riverside Road in Sandy Hook. The Senior Center is under the auspices of The Commission on Aging. The center is run by the Senior Services Director, Marilyn Place. For more information about programs offered at the Senior Center call 270-4310.

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 Wal*Mart Route 6). Cost is 65¢ 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.

 

This Week’s Programs

*HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: A reminder that the senior center will be closing at noon on Fridays, December 23 and 30. We will be closed all day on Mondays, December 26 and January 2.

 

News For Week of December 19-23

*The senior center is in NEED OF AN ART TEACHER AND/OR CRAFT TEACHER, who can volunteer their time twice a month. Teaching times and schedule are flexible. Please call the senior center for details, 270-4310.

*We are looking to RESUME THE QUILTING CLASS. Anyone interested in re-starting this activity is asked to call the senior center. You will need to bring your own sewing machine, and the class will meet on Fridays from 3 to 4 pm.

*Newtown’s seniors are invited to spend a day at MOHEGAN SUN CASINO on Wednesday, January 11.

Departure from Sandy Hook will be at 8 am, and cost is $26 which include transportation, a $10 food credit, two $5 pull tabs and the bus driver’s tip.

*Next month, the first overnight trip of the new year will take seniors to SANDS HOTEL AND CASINO. Departure will be Wednesday, January 18, at 8 am, and we will return later on Thursday, January 19. Cost is $124 for a single room, $94 for double occupancy, or $92 for a triple, and this fee includes motorcoach transportation, hotel accommodations at Sands, a $10 coin bonus, dinner buffet, baggage handling and taxes.

*We have CHRISTMAS TRIAD ORNAMENTS. The are $8, cash or check (make out to Elite Marketing & Promotions, LLC), and are available at the senior center any time we are open.

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REMINDERS: Ace in the Hole invites Newtown seniors to participate in NEW YEAR’S AT NOON, one of the hottest New Year’s parties around.

This pre-New Year’s Eve day trip will take place on Friday, December 30, with departure at 9 am. Enjoy great food, drinks (including a champagne toast to celebrate the new year and one hour open bar), entertainment and party favors. New Year’s at Noon stars the comic and ventriloquist John Pizzi.

*ETHEL KAUFMAN is at the senior center every Monday at 1 pm to lead a CHORUS GROUP. Come enjoy some festive music with your friends.

*COMPUTER CLASSES are being offered on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3 to 4:30 pm. All levels of computer users are welcome.

This class deals with email, Word and the Internet. Stop in for details.

*Pat Babbage teaches EXERCISE classes on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Classes begin at 10:30 am.

*HATHA YOGA classes are Monday and Thursday mornings at 10. Try a class with Helen Herbold 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.

*Lynn Flanders is teaching COUNTRY-WESTERN LINE DANCING Tuesday mornings from 10:30 until 11:30. Cost for each class is $1.

Join Lynn for a fun hour of line dancing which includes the following steps: the slide, cha cha, vines, shuffles, kickball change, fan and waltz. Enjoy the music of Kenny Rogers, Patsy Cline, Tanya Tucker, Billy Ray Cyrus and Alan Jackson.

*Join us at BROOKFIELD LANES each Tuesday and Thursday for a great time bowling. We meet at noon; the cost is $1.25 per game.

*Anyone interested in learning HOW TO PLAY MAH JONGG? Lessons are Thursday mornings at 10.

*REGULAR MAH JONGG PLAYERS are reminded that the advanced group plays at 9 am on Fridays.

*QUILTING CLASS meets on Fridays at 10 am.

*Municipal Agent ANN PICCINI VISITS the senior center on Thursday mornings from 10 until noon to help with Conn Pace, medical information and Title 19 issues you may be having. Call ahead or just stop in to talk with someone who can help you figure your way through these sometimes confusing subjects.

If you can’t catch up with Ann during one of her visits at the senior center, try reaching her at her office at 3 Main Street (below the police department), Monday through Friday. Call her there at 270-4330.

 

Menu For Week of December 19-23

Reservations must be made one or two days in advance. Meals are subject to change.

Monday, December 19: Oven fried chicken, mashed potatoes, spinach, rye bread, cranberry juice, fresh fruit;

Tuesday, December 20: Beef & bean chili with cheddar cheese, rice, corn, cornbread, pineapple tidbits;

Wednesday: Chili dogs, hot baked fries, ketchup and mustard, coleslaw, White As Snow cake;

Thursday: Spaghetti with meatballs, Parmesan cheese, cauliflower-carrot blend, garlic bread, mandarin oranges;

Friday: Beef Wellington with gravy, twice-baked potato, vegetable medley, wheat dinner roll, strawberry holiday cake.

Also, for planning ahead—

Monday, December 26: No lunch today — senior center will be closed for Christmas.

Tuesday, December 27: Butter-crumb fish, tartar sauce, brown rice pilaf, broccoli-cauliflower mix, rye bread, pistachio pudding with topping.

 

Activities Schedule,

December 19-23

Monday: AM Bridge, hatha yoga, exercise; PM chorus group, computer class;

Tuesday: AM country-western line dancing; PM computer class, bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), computer class;

Wednesday: AM exercise; PM Bingo;

Thursday: AM hatha yoga class, Municipal Agent visits, mah jongg lessons; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), TRIAD/Yellow Dot photos taken, Bingo;

Friday: AM advanced mah jongg, quilting; PM no activities – senior center will be closing at noon.

Remember, you must call at least one day in advance to book a meal or a ride, 270-4310; the Senior Bus, 748-2511.