Since the start of 2019, the Newtown Senior Center has seen a rapid increase in membership attributed to its incorporation of new programs.

Senior Center Assistant Judy Thomas reported that 78 people have signed up to become members this year, bringing its total membership to 448 people as of April 23.

“The new programing that we have created is giving many different options for our Newtown seniors to partake in at our center,” Ms Thomas said. She added that among those options, the offerings cater to seniors of different capabilities and personalities.

Becoming an official member gives individuals access to Lunch & Learns, speaker events, and daily exercise classes, the latter of which is exclusive to members only. However, Ms Thomas said the Newtown Senior Center has begun inviting nonmembers to take part in its bus trips.

“We felt it gives our community members the opportunity to engage with seniors and experience firsthand the many opportunities at the center. Also, [it gives] the option for others to participate if a trip has openings. Sometimes a member wants to bring a friend from another community,” Ms Thomas explained.

Upcoming bus trips will include the New England Motorcycle Museum Tour on Monday, May 20; a tour of the Thimble Islands off the coast of Branford on Thursday, June 6; and kayaking at Glastonbury Riverfront Park on Monday, June 10. Members are given priority before nonmembers when registering, as seats are limited.

“Our goal is to allow our seniors to have the opportunity to be able to choose from a variety of programs that will give them socialization, culture, education, as well as physical and mental stimulation… It’s priceless to see what joy our seniors experience on these trips and events,” Ms Thomas said.

How To Become A Member

Those interested in becoming a member of the Newtown Senior Center can visit 14 Riverside Road to enroll in person or print out the membership form online from the town website, newtown-ct.gov, and mail it in to Newtown Senior Center, 14 Riverside Road, Sandy Hook CT 06482.

Membership is open to people ages 55 and older. The annual fee is $20 for Newtown residents and $25 for nonresidents.

For more information on the Newtown Senior Center, visit newtown-ct.gov/senior-center or call 203-270-4310.