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 the new Wal*Mart store on 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.

News For Week of

March 28-April 1

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

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

*The senior center will be hosting AN EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP on Tuesday, April 12, beginning at 1 pm.

Speaker Janet Moses, a representative from LifeLine Screenings, will discuss how quality health screenings can prove their value in detecting previously unrecognized symptoms.

*Upcoming MUSIC PROGRAMS will include “Music with Bob Gianotti” on Thursday, April 14, at 1 pm; and “Music & Memories,” featuring Jerry and Peggy King accompanied by Annie Gross, on Wednesday, April 20, at 1 pm.

*UPCOMING TRIPS for Newtown senior citizens include a COUNTRY AND WESTERN THEME PARTY at Hunt’s Landing on Wednesday, April 13 (cost is $64 per person); LUNCH AND “OLIVER” at Westchester Theatre on Friday, April 29 ($68 per person); and POLKA FEST at Mt Haven Resort on Wednesday, May 11 ($66 per person).

Stop by the senior center for a full listing of this year’s trips, and details for any of the outings.

OVERNIGHT TRIPS in 2005 include a May trip to GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA. Trip booklets for 2005 are ready. Stop by the senior center to pick one up.

This Week’s Programs

*POTLUCK DINNERS are held the first Tuesday of each month… so the next dinner will be on April 5. Join us at the senior center from 4 to 6 pm for a variety of delicious entrees and the opportunity to meet new acquaintances and catch up with friends.

*Please note: The next HEARING AND PODIATRY SCREENINGS at the senior center have been RESCHEDULED to Wednesday, April 6. Stop by the senior center for details and to make an appointment.

*LUNCH AND LEARN: Join us for a free luncheon and this month’s informational seminar on Thursday, April 7, from noon to 2 pm. Topics will include simplifying your financial affairs, increasing your retirement income, efficiently transferring retirement assets, using the new IRA minimum distribution rules to save thousands of dollars in taxes, allocating your investments to reduce risk and maximize your return, and lowering your taxes on Social Security benefits.

The program will be presented by NYLife Securities. Call the senior center to reserve a seat; the program is limited to 60 people.

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REMINDERS: AARP INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE has returned. Representatives will be visiting the senior center Monday mornings from 9 am until noon until April 11.

Please call the senior center for an appointment, and plan to bring in last year’s income tax return and any other pertinent information.

*The next AARP 55 ALIVE DRIVING COURSE will be offered Monday and Tuesday, April 11-12. The class will run from 9 am to 1 pm each day. Please call for fee information and registration.

*Back by popular demand: 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.

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

*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.

*Lynn Flanders is teaching COUNTRY-WESTERN LINE DANCING each Tuesday morning from 10:30 until 11:30. Cost for each class is $1. Lynn has a unique style and she’s full of energy – come join the fun!

*On the second, third and fourth (and fifth, when applicable) Tuesdays of each month, FLORAL ARRANGING workshops will meet with Marianne Imhoff. These sessions will begin at 1 pm. Please call to sign up.

*Anyone interested in learning HOW TO PLAY MAH JONGG? Lessons will be given on Thursday mornings at 10 am.

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

*QUILTING CLASS meets on Fridays at 10 am.

*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 you 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). Call her there at 270-4330.

*Also on Thursdays, Newtown’s seniors are invited to stop by between 2 and 3 pm to have their pictures taken and to fill out pertinent information that will be stored in the glovebox of your car, all of which is part of the new NEWTOWN YELLOW DOT PROGRAM.

This is a Triad Project that will help save lives, and it’s the first project of its kind in our state. The project consists of an information card and a yellow dot sticker that is affixed to your car window. In the event of an emergency, first responders can identify the vehicle as being part of the Yellow Dot Program and will look for the information in an envelope inside your car, saving time and supplying life saving information. The project is a partnership between the community’s senior citizens, People’s Bank and Newtown Police Department.

Menu For Week of April 4-8

Reservations must be made one or two days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Monday: Boneless chicken piccata, buttered noodles, California blend vegetables, soft breadstick, peaches;

Tuesday: Virginia ham with pineapple glaze, scalloped potatoes, green beans, whole wheat bread, diet fruited Jell-O with topping;

Wednesday: Baked stuffed salmon with dill sauce, mashed potatoes, fresh zucchini, orange juice, rye bread, brownie;

Thursday: Spaghetti with sauce, meatballs, Parmesan cheese, tossed salad with Italian dressing, garlic bread, Italian ice;

Friday: Cream of broccoli soup, unsalted crackers, mushroom quiche, mixed vegetables, marinated cucumber salad, dinner roll, fresh fruit.

Also, for planning ahead—

Monday, April 11: Beer battered fish, tater tots, ketchup, cole slaw, dinner roll, oatmeal cookie;

Tuesday, April 12: Stuffed pepper, mashed potatoes, diced carrots, rye bread, butterscotch pudding with topping..

Activities Schedule, April 4-8

Monday: AM Bridge, yoga, exercise, AARP income tax assistance (by appointment); PM chorus group;

Tuesday: AM Pinochle, country-western line dancing; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), floral arranging, potluck dinner5;

Wednesday: AM Pinochle, exercise; PM Bingo;

Thursday: AM Pinochle, hatha yoga class, Municipal Agent visits, mah jongg lessons; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), TRIAD/Yellow Dot photos taken, “Lunch & Learn: Financial Affairs”;

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

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