Senior services for Newtown seniors are available at the Multipurpose Building on Riverside Road in Sandy Hook. The Senior Center is under the auspices of the Commission on Aging. The center is run by Senior Services Director Marilyn Place. For information about programs offered, call 203-270-4310.

You may drop in at the Senior Center weekdays between 9 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 minibus 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 Walmart Route 6). Cost is 65¢ each way for the Sand Hill Plaza trip, 75¢ each way for out of town. Call 203-748-2511 TWO DAYS IN ADVANCE to book a ride and get the out-of-town Friday schedule.

 

This Week’s Programs

*Just a reminder. The annual Summer Picnic at Holiday Hill is Monday, August 22, 9 am to 4 pm. Unlimited buffet, entertainment by Vinnie Carr with dancing and singing, bingo all day, bocce, horseshoes, mini golf, heated pool, and more. Depart at 8 am. The center will be closed.

*On Wednesday, August 24, at noon, enjoy a Hawaiian Luau with a specialty luncheon. Bingo is at 1 pm. Listen to the Sounds of the Islands. Grass skirts, a must! If you plan to attend lunch, call 203-270-4310. Cost is $5.

*Aetna Medicare will present Wii Senior Bowling Championship on Thursday, August 25, at 1 pm. This one-day event will crown a championship team from the center to go to the finals. The teams consist of four members each. Call 203-270-4310 to sign up. No yoga classes today.

*“Sundaes on Tuesdays.” The van will go to a different ice cream location each week on Tuesday at 2 pm. Only the driver knows where that location is. Sign up at the front desk.

*Summer Game Night is every Thursday from 5 to 7:30 pm. Bring a dish to share and play some of your favorite games.

*The center is still in need of yarn donations.

 

Upcoming Programs

*Listen to Congressman Chris Murphy and State Comptroller Kevin Lembo on Tuesday, August 30, at 1 pm, speak about the health care system and access to affordable prescription drugs, and how we need to change the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit so that the federal government can negotiate for cheaper drugs for the seniors. Come meet your congressman.

*Rock and Roll Party at Villa Bianca, Seymour, is on Wednesday, September 14. Depart at 10:30 am; cost is $29.95, all inclusive family-style luncheon. Dance to 50s music and Elvis will be in the building.

*Glucose screening is Friday, September 16, starting at 9 am.

*AARP Driver Safety Refresher Program is being offered on Friday, September 16, from 12:30 to 4:30 pm. Fee payable day of class: $12 AARP members, $14 nonmembers.

Day Trips

*“It’s All About the 50s” features Big John Hartman at the Dock and Dine Restaurant on the waterfront of the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound in Old Saybrook on Wednesday, August 31. Enjoy lunch and the music of the 50s. Depart 10 am; cost is $58.

*On Thursday, September 8, depart at 8 am for the Mohegan Sun Casino. Cost of $30 includes 3 $5 free bets and a $15 food coupon.

*Listen to Irish tenor Ronan Tynan, at the Aqua Turf Club on Thursday, September 15. A family-style luncheon is included. Depart at 10:30 am; cost is $85.

*Wednesday, September 21 is Connecticut Day at The Big E country fair in West Springfield, Mass. Cost is $52; departure time TBA.

*Visit the 9/11 Memorial in New York City on November 15. A family-style luncheon at the famous Italian restaurant Carmine’s is followed by a tour of the memorial. Depart at 8:45 am; cost is $74.

 

Overnight Trips

Upcoming trips include Nova Scotia Cruise on the Carnival Glory to St John and Halifax; “The Sights, Sounds & Tastes of Lancaster,” September 14–16; “Colorado Trains & Fall Foliage,” September 17–24; highlights of Ireland from October 4 to 12, or cruise the islands, Honolulu, Oahu; Hilo, Hawaii; Kona, Hawaii; and Nawiliwili, Kauai on the Pride of America, November 3–13. Additional information will be published in later issues or details are available at the center.

 Recurring Activities

*Yoga classes are Monday and Thursday at 10:30 am.

*Chair yoga classes are Tuesday at 3 to 4 pm and Friday, 11:45 am to 12:45 pm.

*Bridges. A group of students interacting with seniors on Wednesday 2:15 pm.

*Billiards room; poker/card room; ping pong; and Wii bowling, golf, tennis, and baseball.

*Wii bowling, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons.

*Make cards for our troops every Tuesday from 10 am to noon and 1 to 3 pm.

*Beginners bridge lessons on Wednesday, 10 am with Mary Matern.

Monday: PM chorus/sing a-long, yoga, art class.

Tuesday: AM cards for troops, line dancing; PM Wii bowling, ice cream, chair yoga.

Wednesday: AM bridge, exercise; PM Wii bowling or bingo, Bridges.

Thursday: PM Scrabble, yoga, Wii bowling

Friday: AM Mah Jongg, quilting, exercise; PM knitting/crocheting, chair yoga, Zumba Gold.

 

Menu For Week Of

August 22–26

Monday: Spaghetti with clam sauce, broccoli, garlic bread, grape juice, Italian ices.

Tuesday: Cheeseburger on wheat bun with ketchup, confetti barley salad, lettuce and tomato, pineapple tidbits.

Wednesday: Tomato Florentine soup with crackers, grilled chicken Caesar salad with croutons, tomato and Caesar dressing, herbed breadstick, fresh fruit.

Thursday: Roast beef with gravy, baked potato with sour cream, Oriental blend vegetables, oat bread, birthday cake.

And for planning ahead—

Monday, August 29: Beef and bean chili served over brown rice, corn niblets, tortilla chips, fresh fruit.

Tuesday, August 30: Lemon chicken, orzo pilaf, Italian blend vegetables, wheat dinner roll, diet fruited Jell-O with whipped topping.