Services for Newtown seniors are sponsored by the Commission on Aging and are available at the Multi-Purpose Building on Riverside Road in Sandy Hook. For more information about programs offered at the Senior Center call 270-4310.

For information on federal, state and community resources available to seniors, call 270-4330 or 270-4315.

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. Monday from 1 to 3 pm the mini-bus will go to Sand Hill Plaza. Fridays, the bus will alternate going to Danbury Fair Mall and to Berkshire Shopping Plaza. Cost is 60 cents each way for the Sand Hill Plaza trip, 75 cents 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       October 1-5

BILL MICHAELS’ RETURN ENGAGEMENT is scheduled for Thursday, October 18, at 1 pm, at the senior center. Mr Michaels, from Club Getaway, will visit with Halloween entertainment. Come dressed to scare and give us a fright. Call the senior center to sign up.

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REMINDERS: The American Legion Auxiliary of Newtown is looking for volunteers to knit or crochet slippers for the VA Hospital as well as for those in the armed forces. This worthwhile project is called “OPERATION TOASTY TOES,” and Marilyn Place has the directions for slippers whether knitted or crocheted. She also has plenty of donated yarn for anyone willing to undertake this project. Call if you are interested, 270-4310.

Returning by popular demand, THE WALKING GROUP is out and about with Marilyn on Mondays at 10 am. Meet at Newtown Hall on the campus of Fairfield Hills with your walking shoes on. Call the senior center for further information.

NEED HELP WITH MEDICARE? A HICAP/CHOICES volunteer is here on Monday afternoons from 1 to 2 pm by appointment only. There is no charge for this service. Come in and talk to someone who can give you good answers, to help with problems and/or changes. Call the center to make an appointment. To talk to a CHOICES representative at any time, call 800/944-9422.

Debbie Kenyon leads the EXERCISE CLASS on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10 am. The classes are vigorous yet gentle, with lots of stretches. Participants will be encouraged to go at their own rate and will finish feeling refreshed, invigorated and with more energy. Come join the fun.

The holidays are just around the corner and Marilyn is thinking crafts! Join Marilyn on Tuesdays at 1:30 for AFTERNOON CRAFTS.

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

TONY IVEY’S CRAFTS CLASS meets each Wednesday at 10 am. New projects are started weekly.

Ann Piccini from Social Services will be at the senior center each Wednesday to HELP WITH APPLICATIONS including CONNPACE, MEDICAL, TITLE 19, REDETERMINATIONS, etc. No appointment is necessary. Ann will be here each week from 10 am to noon.

YOGA CLASSES with Helen Herbold are conducted on Monday afternoons at 1 as well as Thursday mornings at 10 am. Helen specializes in hatha yoga, a gentle type of yoga can be practiced by anyone at any age and state of health. Bring a mat or towel to lie on and wear loose clothing (no belts; sweats are perfect).

Join us at the senior center each Thursday afternoon for CHORUS GROUP at 1 pm. Join us, too, if you play the piano.

QUILTING CLASS will continue to meet on Fridays at 10 am, and now we will be starting a SEWING HOLIDAY PROJECTS class at the same time. Come join the holiday fun!

NEW HORIZONS meets the first Tuesday of the month at 3 pm. The next meeting will be on October 2.

THE BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP meets the first Wednesday of the month from 2 to 3 pm. The next meeting, therefore, will be on October 3, and we will be discussing Jewel by Bret Lott.

MAH JONGG players have two opportunities on Fridays. The advanced group plays at 9 am each week, and a beginner’s group plays at 1 pm. Call the senior center if you think you might like to learn how to play and join either group.

An RSVP RECOGNITION TEA will be held Tuesday, October 9, at 1 pm. Please join us at the senior center with RVSP representatives to extend a great big Thank You to all of our wonderful volunteers. Your volunteer support is greatly appreciated. We will also have information about RSVP for anyone interested in joining this worthwhile group.

The next BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK at Newtown Senior Center will be on Thursday, October 11. The screenings will begin at noon.

A representative from Collette Tours, which coordinates many of the senior center trips, will be visiting the senior center to offer presentations two of the tours being planned for next year. Marilyn Place will be joined by a Collette Tour employee on October 11 to talk about SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (a trip leaving from Newtown on May 6), and then again on November 13 to talk about a trip called “KINGDOM OF THAILAND” (departure is October 22, 2002).

All are invited to a program, “NON-MEDICAL ELDER CARE,” presented by Home Instead Senior Care, on Tuesday, October 23, at 1 pm. Presentations on maintaining independence and “Alzheimer’s Association: Dementia/Safe Return Program” will be offered. Home Instead Senior Care is one of the country’s trusted sources of non-medical services for the elderly. All are welcome to attend.

Details concerning TRIPS FOR NEWTOWN SENIORS are available at the senior center. The following is basic information for upcoming offerings. Visit the senior center for full itineraries and reservations. Also please remember that all trips must be paid for with ten working days of when you sign up for a trip.

Departure for OCTOBERFEST AT HUNT’S LANDING will be 9:30 am on Wednesday, October 17. For $55, enjoy a day of Bavarian feasting, fun, dancing and singing, Continental breakfast, beer tastings, strudel making, entertainment, a three-hour beer-wine-soda bar, and an Octoberfest buffet feast.

On November 7, join us for a trip to MADAME TUSSAUD’S WAX MUSEUM. We will be leaving Newtown Senior Center at 8 am. Located in the heart of Times Square, the museum’s interactive wax adventure begins at “Opening Night Party,” with visitors mixing with everyone from Bette Midler and Al Roker to Donald Trump. Next it’s lunch at Planet Hollywood (choice of roasted chicken, BBQ ribs or chicken and broccoli with penne), and then a stop at the NASDAQ stock market. Participants will have the opportunity to play an interactive investing game, watch live news broadcasts, and journey through a sound and light tunnel. This is a trip not to be missed.

Trips are also being planned for March 2002, a HAWAIIAN ESCAPE, which will include Oahu and Kanai Islands, for $18,69 per person double; May 2002, to SAN ANTONIO, TEX., $1,029 per person double; and THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND, October 2002, $1,847 per person double.

Menu For Week of      October 1-5

Reservations must be made three days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Meals include low-fat milk and margarine.

Monday: Beef patty, sautéed mushrooms and onions, tater tots, hamburger roll, vanilla pudding w. topping;

Tuesday: Potato crunch fish w/ tartar sauce, rice, carrot coins, whole wheat bread, apricots;

Wednesday: Boneless chunk chicken cacciatore, spaghetti w/ sauce, broccoli florettes, rye bread, fruit;

Thursday: Pot roast w/ gravy, red skinned potatoes, spinach, whole wheat bread, grapefruit juice, vanilla yogurt w/ granola;

Friday: Minestrone soup, unsalted crackers, quiche lorraine, green beans, dinner roll, chocolate chip cookie.

Activities Schedule,  October 1-5

Monday: AM Pinochle, Bridge, art class, walking group; PM yoga, HMO help (by appointment);

Tuesday: AM Pinochle, exercise; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), holiday crafts;

Wednesday: AM line dancing, Pinochle, craft classes, Social Services help with applications; PM Bingo;

Thursday: AM exercise, Pinochle, yoga; PM crafts, bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), chorus group;

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

 Remember, you must call three days in advance to book a meal or a ride, 270-4310; the Senior Bus, 748-2511.