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. Buses also run all day from the senior center to Sand Hill Plaza. On Fridays, the alternates between rides to Danbury Fair Mall and Southbury Plaza. Cost is 60¢ 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

*On Wednesday, July 17, at 1 pm, Toni Shea, a community liaison nurse from Almost Family will be at the senior center for an in-depth yet informal seminar on Almost Family Adult Day Care. Come learn what Almost Family offers. For more information call the senior center, 270-4310.

 

News For Week of July 15-19

*See Gillette’s Castle as never before. This is a reminder that there is a day trip to GILLETTE CASTLE AND TOUR OF ESSEX that will leave Newtown on Thursday, July 18, at 8:30 pm, and head first to Gillette Castle, which has just finished a major restoration. Then we will head to Oliver’s Taverne for lunch – choices are chicken, steak or fish. After lunch we’ll enjoy board the Essex Steam Train and then travel onto the Riverboat for an hour-long ride. It’ll be a wonderful day of adventure. Cost is $70 per person.

*How does hot weather affect you? On Thursday, July 25, at 1 pm, community relations representative Martha Lemley will be at the senior center to share some information on how to RECOGNIZE HEAT STRESS and how to PREVENT HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES.

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REMINDERS: We can always use DONATIONS OF MATERIAL AND YARN at the senior center.

*The RSVP volunteers are making CHEMO CAPS for cancer patients and need donations of stretchy/poly material. If you have any material to spare, please visit the senior center to donate it.

Our SEWING CLASS is currently working on chemo caps, totes for cancer patients, and trach bibs. If you are INTERESTED IN HELPING with this project, please join us on Mondays at 1 pm.

*We are always updating the SENIOR CENTER’S BIRTHDAY LIST. Call 270-4310 so that we may wish you well on your next big day.

*The NEW HORIZONS WIDOW/WIDOWER support group meets at the senior center at 3 pm on the first Tuesday of each month. The next meeting will be on August 6. Please call for info or stop in and join our group.

*Our next ELDERLY HEALTH SCREENINGS will be on Wednesday, August 7. Please call to make an appointment.

*THE WALKING GROUP is out and about with Marilyn on Mondays at 10 am. Meet at Newtown Hall on the campus of Fairfield Hills with your walking shoes on. Call the senior center for further information.

*NEED HELP WITH MEDICARE? A HICAP/CHOICES volunteer is here on Monday afternoons from 1 to 2 pm by appointment only. There is no charge for this service. Come in and talk to someone who can give you good answers, 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.

*Ann Piccini from Social Services is at the senior center each Wednesday to HELP WITH APPLICATIONS including CONNPACE, MEDICAL, TITLE 19, REDETERMINATIONS, etc. No appointment is necessary. Ann will be here each week from 10 am to noon.

*HATHA YOGA CLASSES are Monday afternoons at 1 as well as Thursday mornings at 10. Bring a mat or towel to lie on and wear loose clothing (no belts; sweats are perfect).

*EXERCISE CLASSES on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10 am are vigorous yet gentle, with lots of stretches. The class incorporates resistance band work with some low-impact cardio and lots of stretches. Participants are encouraged to go at their own rate and finish feeling refreshed, invigorated and with more energy.

*Join Marilyn on Tuesdays at 1:30 for AFTERNOON CRAFTS.

*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.

*Join us at the senior center each Thursday afternoon for CHORUS GROUP at 1 pm. Join us, too, if you play the piano.

*QUILTING CLASS meets on Fridays at 10 am.

*MAH JONGG players have two opportunities on Fridays. The advanced group plays at 9 am, and a beginner’s group plays at 1.

*The BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 2 pm. Call for the August title.

*Details concerning TRIPS FOR NEWTOWN SENIORS, from week-long overseas excursions to day trips within the region, are available at the senior center. Please remember that all trips must be paid for with ten working days of when you sign up for a trip.

*On September 5 a group will be departing from Newtown and heading out on a PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH/GETTYSBURG four-day trip. Highlights will include visits to Wheatland, Amish farmlands, Sight and Sound Theatre, Gettysburg, Hershey’s Chocolate World, and Founder’s Hall. Cost is $399/twin, which includes six meals.

*There will be a TRIP TO CAPE COD, September 17-19. Cost is $269 per person/double, which includes five meals. Highlights will include a whale watch, dune ride, harbor cruise, Cape Cod railroad ride, and a stop at Highland Lighthouse. Visit the senior center for details.

*In October, Newtown seniors have the opportunity to participate in a MONTREAL EXTRAVAGANZA, a four-day trip that begins on October 11. Cost for this trip is $369/twin, which covers five meals and visits to St Joseph’s Oratory, Mount Royal, Jacques Corner Square, McGill University and old Montreal, where participants will see the historic Notre Dame Cathedral.

 

Menu For Week of July 15-19

Reservations must be made three days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Meals include low-fat milk and margarine.

Monday: Herb-stuffed chicken with gravy, wild rice pilaf, broccoli florettes, marble rye, tapioca pudding with topping;

Tuesday: Manhattan clam chowder, unsalted crackers, seafood salad plate (seafood salad, lettuce, tomato), macaroni salad, seedless deli roll, pineapple tidbits;

Wednesday: Fresh ham with gravy, sweet potato pone, French green beans, wheat bread, apple juice, oatmeal cookie;

Thursday: Cheese lasagna with sauce and turkey sausage, salad with ranch dressing, garlic bread, fresh fruit;

Friday: Pepper steak, mashed potato, carrot coins, soft breadstick, ice cream.

Activities Schedule, July 15-19

Monday: AM Pinochle, Bridge, art class, walking group; PM yoga, sewing (RSVP volunteers), HMO help (by appointment);

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

Wednesday: AM line dancing, Pinochle, Social Services help with applications; PM Bingo, Almost Family program;

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

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

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