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 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 748-2511 TWO DAYS IN ADVANCE to book a ride and get the out-of-town Friday schedule.

This Week’s Programs

*National Volunteer Week is April 18–24 and the Newtown Senior Center extends a grateful thank you to all who volunteer here and within the community. All RSVP members are invited for a recognition tea on Tuesday, April 20, at 1:30 pm.

*Marathon bingo is Wednesday, April 21, 1 pm, and regular bingo is on April 28.

*Retired or retiring soon? On Wednesday, April 21, at 1 pm, learn how to simplify your financial affairs and some safe and secure ways to protect your nest egg. Call 203-270-4310 to register.

*On Thursday, April 22, enjoy a luncheon buffet and the show Happy Birthday at Newport Playhouse & Cabaret Restaurant. After the show, the cast of characters will put on a cabaret in the dining room. Take time to browse Bowen’s Wharf area also. Depart 7:30 am; cost is $94.

*Signup for SENIOR TAX RELIEF benefits will be on Thursday, April 22, from 1 to 4 pm. No appointment is necessary.

*INDEPENDENT LIVING DAY will be Saturday, April 24, 9:30 to 11:30 am or 1 to 3 pm. Newtown Youth & Family Services will provide volunteers to help with various chores around the house. Pick up forms at Newtown Senior Center to fill out. If you have any questions, call 203-270-4335.

*Join the Wii Spring Practice League to get ready for the 2010 Tournament. Quarter finals will begin in April and end in May. Regionals and finals will be held in June.

Upcoming Programs

*ICE CREAM SOCIAL will be Wednesday, April 28, at 1 pm.

*Come learn how diet can affect memory on Thursday, May 6, at noon.

Day Trips

*Gil Chimes Productions presents SPRING FLING on Wednesday, May 5. A complete luncheon and entertainment includes a floor show, big band music, dancing, line dancing, and more. Depart at 8:30 am to the Empire City Casino and Yonkers Raceway in New York; cost is $80.

*On Tuesday, May 18, at noon, the senior nutrition traveling chef will be preparing Italian-style panini sandwiches along with Italian wedding soup, tomato and cucumber salad, and ice cream and strawberries. Prepaid reservations are required; limited to 40. Cost is $5.50. Entertainment with Bob Giannotti to follow at 1 pm.

*Deluxe motorcoach bus trip to Mohegan Sun Casino is on Thursday, May 20. Depart at 8 am; cost is $30. Receive $15 food coupon or free buffet and three $5 free bets.

*Book now for Glenn Miller Orchestra at the Warner Theatre for Sunday, May 23, at noon, lunch included. Cost is $86.

*Depart 8 am on Wednesday, September 8, stop for coffee at The Great White Way and then off to the Bossa Nova for lunch. After lunch enjoy the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in Jersey Boys on Broadway, with orchestra seating. Early registration is required. Cost is $190.

Recurring Activities

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

*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.

*Iris card folding CRAFT CLASS every Thursday at 1 pm.

*MOVIE DAY Mondays and Fridays at 2 pm.

Monday: AM hatha yoga, exercise, PM chorus group, weaving, art class, exercise, movie.

Tuesday: AM cards for troops, line dancing; PM Tai Chi, Wii bowling.

Wednesday: AM bridge, exercise; PM exercise.

Thursday: AM hatha yoga; PM iris card folding craft class, Scrabble, Wii bowling.

Friday: AM mah jongg, Quilts of Valor, exercise class, yoga; PM Ecumenical Bible study group, knitting/crocheting, movie.

Menu For Week Of

April 19–23

Monday: Chicken cacciatore served over egg noodles, diced squash, dinner roll, diet fruited Jell-O with whipped topping.

Tuesday: Minestrone soup with crackers, cold cut grinder with bologna, ham, turkey, lettuce, tomato and mustard or mayo, coleslaw vinaigrette, fruit cocktail.

Wednesday: Cheese baked ziti, parmesan cheese, sausage pieces, Caesar salad with croutons and Caesar dressing, Italian bread, seasonal fresh fruit.

Thursday: Dave’s meatloaf, mashed potato, chopped spinach, oat bread, cranberry juice, birthday cake.

And for planning ahead —

Monday, April 26: Stuffed pepper with tomato sauce, mashed potato, peas and carrots, seedless rye bread, mandarin oranges.

Tuesday, April 27: Herbed baked chicken quarter, Caribbean rice and beans, summer vegetable blend, wheat bread, mixed fruit juice, marble cake.

Remember, you must call at least one day in advance to book a ride, 203-270-4310; the Senior Bus, 203-748-2511.