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 more information about programs offered at the Senior Center 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

*Enjoy Music from the Heart — Ethel and her Band on Tuesday, March 15, at 1:30 pm.

*A St Patrick’s Day celebration at Villa Bianca is on Wednesday, March 16. All you can eat family-style luncheon of corned beef and cabbage and all the fixings, a complimentary drink, and a special theme gift upon arrival. Dance to your favorite Irish music. Senior Center van is limited to 12 people, but you can drive your own car. Call for reservations. Cost is $29.95 and checks should be made out to Villa Bianca.

*Sign up for the Senior Tax Relief Benefit. Appointments at the Senior Center are on Wednesdays, March 16, from 9 am to noon; March 30, 1 to 4 pm; and April 6 and April 20, 9 am to noon. Bring your 2010 tax return, social security 1099, and all other 1099s for pension, interest, annuities, rental income, etc. Any questions, call the assessor’s office at 203-270-4240.

*St Patrick’s Day bingo party will be Thursday, March 17, at 1 pm. Remember to wear green.

*Sign up for AARP Income Tax Assistance through April 11 on Mondays from 9 am to noon. This is for low- and middle-income taxpayers. If married, both spouses should be present. A checklist is available at the Newtown Senior Center of what documents should be brought in.

Upcoming Programs

*AARP Driver Safety Program will be Friday, March 25, from 12:30 to 4:30 pm, one day only. This is a refresher course. Insurance discount is available. Fee payable day of class, $12 AARP members, $14 otherwise.

 

Day Trips

*Celebrate Viva Italia at the Grand Oak Villa in Oakville on Tuesday, March 22. Included will be a family-style meal, along with the singing talents of Aaron Caruso and Christina Luna. The Newtown Senior Center van will accommodate 12, reservations requested. Depart at 10:30 am; cost is $55.

*Depart at 10 am on March 25 for Westchester Broadway Theater where lunch is included. After lunch, Singing in the Rain will be presented. The cost is $88.

*See Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, Conn., on May 25. A family-style menu is included. Seats are limited, call early to reserve. Leave the center at 10:30 am; cost is $76.

 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.

*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: AM hatha yoga, exercise, PM chorus group, art class.

Tuesday: AM line dancing, cards for troops; PM chair yoga, Tai Chi.

Wednesday: AM bridge, exercise.

Thursday: AM hatha yoga; PM Scrabble iris folding cards.

Friday: AM Mah Jongg, quilts of valor, exercise, chair yoga; PM knitting/crocheting.

 

Menu For Week Of

March 14–18

Monday: Fish or chicken with Florentine sauce, brown rice, peas and mushroom, oat bread, seasonal fresh fruit.

Tuesday: Hamburger on wheat roll, sweet potato fries, ketchup, coleslaw, cranberry juice, oatmeal raisin cookie.

Wednesday: Chicken noodle soup with crackers, lemon chicken quarter, fresh acorn squash, green beans, pumpernickel bread, pineapple tidbits.

Thursday: St Patrick’s Day Special: Corned beef and cabbage, boiled potatoes, carrots, Irish soda bread, bread pudding with whipped topping.

And for planning ahead—

Monday, March 21: Caribbean chicken, bowtie pasta, winter blend vegetables, seedless rye bread, apricot halves.

Tuesday, March 22: Minestrone soup with crackers, tuna salad plate on bed of lettuce with tomato and cucumber salad with French dressing, club roll, seasonal fresh fruit.