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 information about programs offered, 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 $1 each way for the Sand Hill Plaza trip. Call 203-748-2511 TWO DAYS IN ADVANCE to book a ride and get the out-of-town Friday schedule.

This Week’s

Programs

*Patty the Hairdresser is back! Starting Friday, January 20, at 1 pm, women’s haircuts are $15; men’s, $10. Sign-up sheet at desk.

*Come make valentines for the troops on Tuesdays at 10 am.

*Beat the winter boredom with board games on Thursdays at 10 am! Many games to choose from or bring one of your favorites to share. Coffee will be supplied.

*Iris fold cards can be crafted on Thursdays at 2:30 pm.

*Mohegan Sun Casino bus trip on Wednesday, January 25, includes $15 food coupon or free buffet and two $10 free bets. Depart at 8 am; cost is $30.

*Watch Channel 3 during inclement weather to see if the center is open or closed. If there is a delayed school opening, morning classes will be canceled; early dismissal, no classes in the afternoon.

*Commission on Aging will be conducted Monday, January 23, at 5 pm.

 

Upcoming

Programs

*Sign up for AARP Income Tax Assistance February 6 through April 9 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.

*Dress in red and come for Valentine Bingo on Wednesday, February 8, at 1 pm. Refreshments will be served.

*A lively fun white elephant auction will be Wednesday, February 15, at 1 pm. Donations of new or gently used merchandise will be accepted until February 12. Please no clothing. This is a fundraiser to offset the cost of a new microwave.

Day Trips

*Chocolate Fest at Hunt’s Landing on Tuesday, February 14, includes hot breakfast buffet on the patio by the pool, play bingo or watch a movie. A three-hour open bar, music, dancing, activities and entertainment, along with a buffet dinner, which includes chocolate dishes and all the trimmings. Cost is $80; depart at 9 am.

*Ace in the Hole presents a Great Day for the Irish on Tuesday, March 13, at the Royal Manor in Garfield, N.J., which includes a family-style lunch of corned beef and cabbage and roasted chicken with all the trimmings, two complimentary drinks during Happy Hour. The St Patrick’s Day party stars Irish tenor Jimmy Walsh, comic Dale Grand, and the Black Velvet Band. Cost is $86; depart at 9 am.

*AARP Driver Safety Program will be Friday, March 16, 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.

Overnight

Trips

*Watch a UConn Women’s Basketball vs Syracuse game and spend a night at the Turning Stone Casino on Wednesday and Thursday, January 25–26. Receive $40 free play coupon each day, $15 meal credit, full breakfast buffet, health spa and pool and entertainment; $188 pp double, $253 pp single and $183 pp trip.

*Getaway weekend on Thursday and Friday, February 23–24, to Mohegan Sun includes food coupons or two buffets, free bet, enjoy the swimming pool or sit in the hot tub. The prices are $121 pp double, $181 pp single, and $116 pp triple.

 

Recurring

Activities

Monday: 10 am, pinochle; 10:30 am, exercise; noon, lunch; 1 pm, chorus/sing-along and yoga; 1:30 pm, art class.

Tuesday: 10 am, Valentines for Troops; 10 am, pinochle; 10:30, line dancing; noon, lunch; 2 pm, tai chi; 3 pm, chair yoga.

Wednesday: 10 am, bridge or pinochle; 10:30 am, exercise; noon, lunch; 2:30 pm, Bridges.

Thursday: 10 am, board games or pinochle; noon, lunch; 1 pm, Scrabble, 1 pm, yoga; 1:30, crafts; 2:30 pm, Iris fold cards.

Friday: 9 am, mah jongg; 10 am, pinochle; 10:30 am, quilting and exercise; noon, knit or crochet; 2 pm, Zumba Gold; 3 pm, chair yoga.

Other items available at any time are: Wii (bowling, tennis, baseball, golf), pool table, ping pong table, card table, and various board games.

 

Menu For Week Of

January 23–27

Monday: Chinese New Year Special: Lower sodium mandarin chicken served over rice, Oriental blend vegetables, oatmeal bread, pineapple tidbits.

Tuesday: Stuffed salmon with dill sauce and lemon OR herb baked chicken, baked potato with sour cream, chopped spinach, wheat bread, fresh fruit.

Wednesday: Minestrone soup, spaghetti and meat sauce, parmesan cheese, tossed salad with cucumber and Italian dressing, Italian bread, diet fruited Jell-O with whipped topping.

Thursday: Happy Birthday: Dave’s meatloaf with gravy, smashed potato, Roman blend vegetables, seedless rye bread, apple juice, birthday cake.

And for planning ahead—

Monday, January 30: Roast pork with gravy, applesauce garnish, mashed sweet potato, bean blend, seedless rye bread, seasonal fresh fruit.

Tuesday, January 31: Shrimp bisque, quiche Lorraine, stewed tomatoes and zucchini, wheat dinner roll, peaches.