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. Monday from 1 to 3 pm the mini-bus will go to Sand Hill Plaza. Fridays, the bus will alternate going to Danbury Fair Mall and to Berkshire Shopping Plaza. Cost is 60 cents each way for the Sand Hill Plaza trip, 75 cents 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 April 16-20

Due to circumstances beyond our control, two of the previously announced trips for Newtown seniors have been cancelled, FALL RIVER and VILLA BAGLIERI/LULLABY OF BROADWAY. Please visit the senior center as soon as possible if you had a reservation for either of these outings.

Also, there are two changes to announce this week concerning the Newtown Senior Center trip to the RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR. The date has been moved back to Thursday, November 1, and the departure time is now 10:30. Cost is $75 per person, which includes bus transportation, admission to the show and lunch at Rudy’s Beau Rivage.

And finally in the travel plans, we have a new trip to announce: MOHEGAN SUN on Wednesday, May 2. Cost is $18 per person, which includes the bus transportation, $10 in food credits, and two $5 plays on the big 6-Wheel.

*****************

REMINDERS: THE BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP meets the first Wednesday of the month from 2 to 3 pm. The book for May 2 will be No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt — The Home Front in WWII by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

The AARP DRIVING COURSE for seniors is returning this spring. The first session, in April, has already filled up, but a second session will be offered the weekend of May 21-22. You must attend both days of the session, which runs from 9 am to 1 pm each day. The $10 fee is payable at the time of the class. Call the senior center to sign up.

The American Legion Auxiliary of Newtown is looking for volunteers to knit or crochet slippers for the VA Hospital as well as for those in the armed forces. This worthwhile project is called “OPERATION TOASTY TOES,” and Marilyn Place has the directions for slippers whether knitted or crocheted. She also has plenty of donated yarn for anyone willing to undertake this project. Call if you are interested, 270-4310.

We are updating the SENIOR CENTER BIRTHDAY LIST. Please call 270-4310 so that our records are correct and we may wish you well on your next birthday.

There is an URGENT NEED FOR MATERIAL AND YARN at the senior center.

A CONSUMER AWARENESS PROGRAM for seniors will be presented on Thursday, April 26, at 754 Main Street in Monroe, from 8 am to 12:30 pm. The keynote address, “Consumer Concerns in Connecticut,” will be given by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. Subjects to be covered during the morning will also include Medicare fraud, the latest consumer scams, home repair frauds, identity theft, local scams, and legislative efforts to combat scams and frauds. There is no charge, and the program also includes a complimentary breakfast. Registration is limited; call the senior center as soon as possible to sign up.

THE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM will run to April 30 and is geared to low income senior citizens. Income limits are $23,566 for a single person and $30,817 for a couple. There are also liquid asset limits. Necessary documentation includes income from Social Security, pension, wages, interest, etc. This information must be current (within 30 days of application). Utility customers must bring a current bill as proof of address. If you have need of energy assistance this year, please call Social Services at 270-4330 for an appointment and assistance.

AN OSTEOPOROSIS HEEL CHECK will be offered at the senior center on Friday, May 11. The $25 fee for these checks is no longer covered by Medicare. Call the center to sign up for an appointment.

HMO BAIL-OUT HELP is available at the senior center on Monday afternoons from 1 to 2 pm by appointment only. A HICAP/CHOICES volunteer will be here to help with problems and/or changes. Call the center to make an appointment. To talk to a CHOICES representative at any time, call 800/944-9422.

YOGA CLASSES HAVE BEEN EXPANDED at Newtown Senior Center. Join Helen Herbold on Monday afternoons at 1 pm as well as Thursday mornings at 10:15 am. Helen specializes in hatha yoga, an easy-does-it type of yoga where each student listens to his or her body, stretches within his or her capability without discomfort, and learns to use diaphramatic breathing, relaxation and meditation. This gentle type of yoga can be practiced by anyone at any age and state of health. Bring a mat or towel to lie on.

Join teacher Toni Ivey for CRAFT CLASSES each Tuesday at 1 pm.

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.

We have started our CHORUS GROUP again. Join us at the senior center each Thursday afternoon at 1 pm. Join us, too, if you play the piano.

The QUILTING CLASS meets every Friday at 10 am.

“THE GOLDEN AGE OF RADIO” has been rescheduled for Wednesday, July 11.

CLUB GETAWAY will take us to Kent on Wednesday, May 16. Departure is 8:45 am and cost is $46. This trip will include a breakfast buffet, sit-down lunch buffet and a dessert buffet, and many activities planned for the day including ping pong, horseshoes, cooking demonstrations and chocolate dipping. A guided nature walk and pontoon boat rides will also be available, as will arts and crafts and Bingo.

A day trip to MOHONK MOUNTAIN will take place Wednesday, May 30. Departure is 9 am, and cost is $60. Spend the day strolling any part of the 2,000 acres of wooded and landscaped grounds; lunch will be at Grand Buffet.

A historically and culturally-rich trip, “THE BERKSHIRES & WILLIAMS INN” will take place Monday and Tuesday, June 25-26. Cost is $209 per person double, we leave the senior center at 7:30 am, and will be staying at Williams Inn in Williamstown, Mass. There will be opportunities to visit Chesterwood, Norman Rockwell Museum, Clark Art Institute and Hancock Shaker Village. Details at the senior center.

A trip to LAS VEGAS will be October 29 to November 1. Cost is $599 perperson double, with the first deposit of $50 due May 1. We will be staying at Balley’s Hotel, there will be a side trip to Laughlin, Nevada, and the price includes $50 in kmatch play chips. Details at the senior center.

Visit the senior center for details concerning additional trips, their dates, and costs. Trips are being scheduled to the Bahamas in May, Nova Scotia and New England in June, the Canadian Rockies in July, trips to Bermuda and Nashville in September, New Mexico in October, and France in November.

Menu For Week Of April 16-20

Reservations must be made three days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Meals include low-fat milk and margarine.

Monday: American chop suey (elbows w/ meat sauce), Parmesean cheese, broccoli, Italian bread, apricots;

Tuesday: Tomato-rice soup, unsalted crackers, toasted cheese sandwich, carrot-raisin salad, pineapple juice, blueberry pie;

Wednesday: Roast pork w/ gravy, mashed potato & butternut squash mix, beets, marbled bread, pears;

Thursday: Fish sticks w/ tartar sauce, macaroni & cheese, spinach w/ vinegar, dinner roll, fruited diet Jell-O w/ topping;

Friday: Teriyaki chicken, fried rice, salad w/ French dressing, whole wheat bread, ice cream.

Activities Schedule, April 16-20

Monday: AM Pinochle, Bridge, art class; PM yoga, HMO help (by appointment);

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

Wednesday: AM line dancing, Pinochle, energy assistance (Social Services representative on-site); PM Bingo;

Thursday: AM exercise, Pinochle, yoga; PM crafts, bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), chorus group;

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

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