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 March 28-April 1

*Please note: The next HEARING AND PODIATRY SCREENINGS at the senior center have been RESCHEDULED to Wednesday, April 6. Stop by the senior center for details and to make an appointment.

*A new series of COMPUTER CLASSES are being offered on Mondays and Tuesdays from 2:45 until 4:30 pm. All levels of computer users are welcome.

*Anyone interested in learning HOW TO PLAY MAH JONGG? Lessons will be given on Thursday mornings at 10 am.

*The next HEALTH SCREENINGS scheduled at the senior center will be on Wednesday, April 6 (oral and vision screenings), and Friday, May 6 (vascular and osteoporosis screenings). Watch future columns for details or stop by the senior center to make an appointment.

This Week’s Programs

*We will be hosting a DIABETIC SHOE SEMINAR on Thursday, March 31, at 1 pm. Marc Levine, a rehab consultant from North American Orthotics, will be here for a discussion and to answer your questions related to your benefits.

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REMINDERS: The senior center is in need of DONATIONS OF YARN AND MATERIALS for crafts. All donations would be greatly appreciated.

*We are SEARCHING FOR AN ART TEACHER to instruction of painting with acrylics and oil-based paints. Contact senior center director Marilyn Place at 270-4310 for details.

*AARP INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE has returned. Representatives will be visiting the senior center Monday mornings from 9 am until noon until April 11.

Please call the senior center for an appointment, and plan to bring in last year’s income tax return and any other pertinent information.

*The next AARP 55 ALIVE DRIVING COURSE will be offered Monday and Tuesday, April 11-12. The class will run from 9 am to 1 pm each day. Please call for fee information and registration.

*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.

*Back by popular demand: ETHEL KAUFMAN is at the senior center every Monday at 1 pm to lead a CHORUS GROUP. Come enjoy some festive music with your friends.

*Pat Babbage has returned, and she is teaching EXERCISE classes on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Classes begin at 10:30 am.

*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.

*Lynn Flanders is teaching COUNTRY-WESTERN LINE DANCING each Tuesday morning from 10:30 until 11:30. Cost for each class is $1. Lynn has a unique style and she’s full of energy – come join the fun!

*On the second, third and fourth (and fifth, when applicable) Tuesdays of each month, FLORAL ARRANGING workshops will meet with Marianne Imhoff. These sessions will begin at 1 pm. Please call to sign up.

*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.

*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: Applications for oil-heated households are now being taken. Income guidelines include $18,620 for singles, and $24,980 for couples. There are also asset limits.

Necessary documentation includes income from Social Security, pension, wages, interest, etc. This information must be current within 30 days.

Assistance continues through March 31. Applications for YankeeGas and CL&P are also being taken.

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

*ANN PICCINI VISITS the senior center on Thursday mornings from 10 until noon to help with Conn Pace, medical information and Title 19 issues you may be having. Call ahead or just stop in to talk with someone who can help you figure you way through these sometimes confusing subjects.

If you can’t catch up with Ann during one of her visits at the senior center, try reaching her at her office at 3 Main Street (below the police department). Call her there at 270-4330.

*Newtown Senior Center’s TRIAD group, Newtown Police Department and People’s Bank invite all Newtown seniors to a special SPRING SAFE-TEA.

Come learn how to not be a victim of crime! Our guest speaker will be Angela DeLeon from People’s Bank, who is the state coordinator of Connecticut TRIAD.

The program will be on Wednesday, March 30, at 1 pm. Come wearing your favorite spring hats and receive free gifts from People’s Bank and enjoy refreshments while learning about this very important subject.

*OVERNIGHT TRIPS in 2005 include a May trip to GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA. Trip booklets for 2005 are ready. Stop by the senior center to pick one up.

Menu For Week of March 28-April 1

Reservations must be made one or two days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Monday: Chili in baked potato with cheddar cheese, green beans, corn bread, pineapple tidbits;

Tuesday: Chicken cacciatore quarter over spaghetti, fresh zucchini, Italian bread, grape juice, blueberry pie;

Wednesday and Thursday: Call the senior center for these menus.

Friday: Stir fry beef with broccoli, brown rice, diced carrots, multi-grain dinner roll, pineapple juice, mandarin orange slices.

Also, for planning ahead—

Monday, April 4: Boneless chicken piccata, buttered noodles, California blend vegetables, soft breadstick, peaches;

Tuesday, April 5: Virginia ham with pineapple glaze, scalloped potatoes, green beans, whole wheat bread, diet fruited Jell-O with topping.

Activities Schedule, March 28-April 1

Monday: AM Bridge, yoga, exercise, AARP income tax assistance (by appointment); PM chorus group;

Tuesday: AM Pinochle, country-western line dancing; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), floral arranging;

Wednesday: AM Pinochle, exercise; PM Bingo;

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

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.