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

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 bus alternates between rides to Danbury Fair Mall and Berkshire Plaza in Danbury (to the new Wal*Mart store on Route 6). Cost is 65¢ 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.

News For Week of

December 20-24

*Holiday Closings: The senior center will be CLOSING AT NOON on Thursdays, December 23 and 30. There will be no afternoon programs those days, nor will lunch be served.

We will be CLOSED on Fridays, December 24 and 31.

*We have an OPENING FOR AN ART TEACHER. The senior center is looking for someone who can lead our seniors on the part of painting with acrylics and oils. Classes are held on Mondays at 1; call Marilyn for details or an interview appointment.

*Why not brush up on your Spanish or try something new? The senior center will begin offering SPANISH LESSONS. Classes will be limited to just eight people, and there will be a small fee involved. Call for information or to sign up.

*A DAY TRIP in February will take Newtown seniors from Sandy Hook to Westchester Broadway Theatre, where you can enjoy songs about St Louis.

Details about an outing on Thursday, February 3, to enjoy lunch and a showing of Meet Me In St Louis are available at the senior center. Cost is $68 per person, departure will be at 9:30 am, and there are just 54 seats available – come in soon!

*OVERNIGHT TRIPS in 2005 include January 19-20 in ATLANTIC CITY, March 5-13 in COSTA DEL SOL AND MADRID, and a May trip to GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA. Stop by the senior center for full details.

 

This Week’s Programs

*SANTA will be RETURNING, along with children, on Wednesday, December 22, at 1 pm, for more visits.

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REMINDER: Has it been a while since you’ve played BRIDGE? Would you like to learn how? Stop by the senior center any Monday at 10 am for a game or two.

*EXERCISE CLASSES: The senior center has different forms of exercise classes available. Why not stop by and find a class that fits your needs?

YOGA classes are offered on Monday and Thursday mornings at 10. Try a class to get rid of stress and anxiety while learning to breathe correctly. Bring a mat or towel to lie on and wear loose clothing (no belts; sweats are perfect). Also learn how to use all the muscles in your body through relaxation.

Pat Babbage has returned following a two-year absence. Pat is teaching exercise classes on Monday and Wednesday mornings – just in time for the holidays! Classes begin at 10:30 am.

*ART CLASSES are Monday afternoons at 1.

*Join Mary Ann Imhoff each Tuesday at 1 pm for FLORAL ARRANGING SESSIONS. Call the senior center for details or to sign up.

*AFTERNOON CRAFTS are offered Tuesdays at 1:30.

*Join us at BROOKFIELD LANES each Tuesday and Thursday for a great time bowling. We meet at noon; the cost is $1.25 per game.

*CHORUS GROUP meets each Thursday at 1. Pianists are also invited.

*Lynn Flanders has begun teaching COUNTRY-WESTERN LINE DANCING on Thursday afternoons beginning at 1:30. Cost for each class is $1. Lynn has a unique style and she’s full of energy – come join the fun!

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

*QUILTING CLASS meets on Fridays at 10 am.

*ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Newtown Social Services has begun accepting heating applications for deliverable fuels for oil, propane and kerosene. Assistance is for deliveries continues through March 31, 2005.

Applications for YankeeGas and CL&P will be taken starting January 1, 2005.

Contact Municipal Agent Ann Piccini at 270-4330 for more information.

Menu For Week of

December 20-24

Reservations must be made one or two days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Monday: Veal parmesan, penne with marinara sauce, fresh zucchini, garlic bread, canned apricots;

Tuesday: Harvest soup, unsalted crackers, hot open turkey sandwich with gravy on whole wheat bread, cranberry sauce, French green beans, chocolate chip cookie;

Wednesday (First Day of Winter): Chili Dogs, mustard and ketchup sides, Hot baked fries, chilled cole slaw, White as Snow cake, Warm apple cider;

Thursday: No lunch today – senior center will be closing at noon.

Friday: No lunch today – the senior center will be closed for Christmas Eve.

Also, next week…

Monday, December 27: Butter-crumb fish, tartar sauce, mashed potatoes, diced carrots, oatmeal bread, diet fruited Jell-O with topping;

Tuesday, December 28: Swedish meatballs, noodles, green beans, multi-grain dinner roll, brownie.

Activities Schedule, December 20-24

Monday: AM Bridge, yoga, exercise; PM art class;

Tuesday: AM Pinochle, senior center cookie swap; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), floral arranging;

Wednesday: AM Pinochle, line dancing, senior fitness tests, exercise; PM visit with Santa and children;

Thursday: AM Pinochle, hatha yoga class, Municipal Agent visits; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), TRIAD/Yellow Dot photos taken;

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

 Remember, you must call at least one day in advance to book a meal or a ride, 270-4310; the Senior Bus, 748-2511.