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.

This Week’s Programs

CHRISTMAS BINGO will be played on Wednesday, December 20. A special day deserves special prizes — come join the fun!

HOLIDAY CLOSINGS — The senior center will close for the Christmas weekend at noon on Friday, December 22, and reopen on Tuesday, December 26. The same schedule will be followed for the New Year’s weekend; we will close Friday, December 29, at noon, and reopen on Tuesday, January 2.

News For Week of

December 18-22

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS: A winter reminder: When we have a special program planned or even during regular days with lunch and classes scheduled, OUR INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY is to cancel any events at the senior center when Newtown’s public schools are closed. Watch for information on Connecticut television stations Channel 3 (WFSB), Channel 6 (WVIT) and Channel 8 (WTNH).

A representative from Social Services is now visiting the center each Wednesday from 10 am to noon to HELP WITH ENERGY ASSISTANCE. No appointment is necessary.

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REMINDERS: 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.

AN EXERCISE TEACHER IS NEEDED at the senior center. We need a teacher for a few hours on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, with the opportunity to begin teaching as soon as possible. If you are interested, call Marilyn at 270-4315. In the meantime, Marilyn and Bea are leading the class.

AARP INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE will be available January 29 to April 9. Someone will be at the center each Monday from 9 am to noon. There is no charge for this help, but you must make an appointment in advance. Bring last year’s tax return and any other pertinent information with you when you come in. Call 270-4310 to make an appointment.

THE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM will run to April 15 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.

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.

THE BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP meets the first Wednesday of the month from 2 to 3 pm. There will be no meetings in December or January. The February book will be Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier.

NEW HORIZONS meets the first Tuesday of the month at 3 pm. The next meeting will be on January 2.

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.

Please join us for CRAFT CLASSES each Tuesday at 1 pm. The classes are working on special holiday projects.

The QUILTING CLASS meets every Friday at 10 am, and is are in full swing. Quilts are individually made. The group is starting a new project, a “town quilt,” and is looking for dedicated quilted to join in this project.

DAY TRIP BOOKLETS FOR 2001 will not be available until February 1. Visit the senior center for a list of trips, their dates, and costs.

There will be an overnighter to SANDS HOTEL & CASINO, January 24-25. Cost is $79perperson, double occupancy. Call for details.

AN OCEAN PRINCESS CARIBBEAN CRUISE is available for Newtown seniors to join, March 18-25, 2001, with stops in St Lucia, St Kitts, St Maarten, Barbados and St Thomas. Costs range from $1,319 to $1,999 per person.

A BEIJING CITY TOUR will be leaving Newtown on March 26, 2001, and will last eight days. Costs are $1,249 to $1,339 twin and we will be staying in one hotel the entire time.

Menu For Week Of

December 18-22

Reservations must be made three days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Meals include low-fat milk and margarine.

Monday: Boneless chunk chicken cacciatore, spaghetti w/ sauce, broccoli florettes, dinner roll, cranberry juice, fruit cocktail;

Tuesday: Sliced steam w/ onions, mushrooms & gravy, carrot-raisin salad, grinder roll, fruited diet Jello-O w/ topping;

Wednesday: New England clam chowder, unsalter crackers, toasted cheese sandwich, garden salad w/ French dressing, rice pudding w/ topping;

Thursday: Pot roast w/ gravy, potato latkes, applesauce, carrots, rye bread, jelly donut.

Friday: No lunch on December 22 — center will be closing at noon for the Christmas holiday.

Activities Schedule, December 18-22

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 Christmas Bingo;

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

Friday: AM mah jongg, sewing, quilting; PM — no afternoon activities, center closing for Christmas holiday.

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