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.

This Week’s Programs

NEW HORIZONS meets the first Tuesday of the month at 3 pm. The next meeting will be on February 6.

ENERGY BINGO will be played on February 7.

THE BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP meets the first Wednesday of the month from 2 to 3 pm. The February 7 meeting will concern Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier.

News For Week of February 5-9

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS: WE HAVE STARTED OUR CHORUS GROUP AGAIN. Join us at the senior center each Thursday afternoon at 1 pm. Songs like “Shine On Harvest Moon,” “When You Wish Upon A Star,” “Oklahoma” and “Grand Old Flag” will be enjoyed each week. Join us, too, if you play the piano. The more the merrier…

OPERATION TOASTY TOES: 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 is you are interested, 270-4310.

We can always use more DONATED YARN at the center, too.

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REMINDERS: YOGA CLASSES HAVE BEEN EXPANDED at Newtown Senior Center. Come join Helen Herbold on Monday afternoons at 1 pm as well as Thursday mornings at 10:15 am. Helen specializes in hatha yoga, which emphasizes breathing, stretching and relaxation. Come give it a try — one class and you will be hooked.

HERE’S TO THE 21ST CENTURY! Write down your memories of all the changes you experienced during the 20th Century. We’re sure there are many. Then submit them to Marilyn for the senior center’s scrapbook.

We are updating the SENIOR CENTER BIRTHDAY LIST. Please call 270-4310 so that our records are correct and we may wish you well on your next birthday.

AN EXERCISE TEACHER IS NEEDED at the senior center. We need a teacher for a few hours on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, with the opportunity to begin teaching as soon as possible. If you are interested, call Marilyn at 270-4315. In the meantime, Marilyn and Bea are leading the class.

THE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM will run to April 30 and is geared to low income senior citizens. Income limits are $23,566 for a single person and $30,817 for a couple. There are also liquid asset limits. Necessary documentation includes income from Social Security, pension, wages, interest, etc. This information must be current (within 30 days of application). Utility customers must bring a current bill as proof of address. If you have need of energy assistance this year, please call Social Services at 270-4330 for an appointment and assistance.

AARP INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE will be available January 29 to April 9. Someone will be at the center each Monday from 9 am to noon. There is no charge for this help, but you must make an appointment in advance. Bring last year’s tax return and any other pertinent information with you when you come in. Call 270-4310 to make an appointment.

HMO BAIL-OUT HELP is available at the senior center on Monday afternoons from 1 to 2 pm by appointment only. A HICAP/CHOICES volunteer will be here 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.

Glynnis Lanzetta, a representative from Social Services, is now visiting the center each Wednesday from 10 am to noon to HELP WITH ENERGY ASSISTANCE. No appointment is necessary.

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.

Join teacher Toni Ivey for CRAFT CLASSES each Tuesday at 1 pm. The classes are working on Valentine’s Day cards. Come join the class and make a card for the object of your affection.

The QUILTING CLASS meets every Friday at 10 am, and is in full swing. Quilts are individually made. The group is starting a new project, a “town quilt,” and is looking for dedicated quilters to join in this project.

Visit the senior center for details concerning this year’s trips, their dates, and costs. Trips are being scheduled to the Bahamas in May, Trapp Family Lodge, also in May, Nova Scotia and New England in June, the Canadian Rockies in July, separate trips to Bermuda and Nashville in September, New Mexico in October, and France in November.

Got the winter blahs? Then join us for the MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION AT HUNT’S LANDING on Tuesday, February 27. A bus will leave Newtown Senior Center at 9 am, but note: We are sharing the bus with another center, and there are only 23 seats available so it’s first come, first seated. The jazzy, jumpin’ festival will include continental breakfast, three-hour beer/wine/soda bar, a spectacular magician, a Cake Walkin’ Band playing jazz and Dixieland music, a great Fat Tuesday buffet feast, a Mardi Gras parade complete with float-decorating contest, and someone will be crowned King and Queen of Mardi Gras. Cost is $55 which covers everything, including bus transportation and the bus driver’s tip.

Newtown seniors are invited to spend Wednesday, February 28, at MOHEGAN SUN CASINO in Uncasville. Cost is $18 per person which includes bus transportation, bus driver tip, a $10 food coupon and $15 bonus — what a bargain! Contact the senior center as soon as possible for your reservation.

AN OCEAN PRINCESS CARIBBEAN CRUISE is available for Newtown seniors to join, March 18-25, with stops in St Lucia, St Kitts, St Maarten, Barbados and St Thomas. Costs range from $1,319 to $1,999 per person.

Menu For Week Of February 5-9

Reservations must be made three days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Meals include low-fat milk and margarine.

Monday: Kielbasa w/ sauerkraut, pierogies, peas & pearl onions, soft breadstick, cranberry juice, apple pie;

Tuesday: Stuffed pepper, mashed potatoes, green beans, whole wheat bread, fruited Jell-O w/ topping;

Wednesday: Minestrone soup, unsalted crackers, meatloaf w/ gravy, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, whole wheat bread, pears;

Thursday: Boneless chicken cacciatore, rice, Italian green beans, Italian bread, pineapple juice, pistachio pudding w/ topping;

Friday: Fish florentine, scalloped potatoes, broccoli florettes, whole wheat bread, fruit.

Activities Schedule, February 5-9

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

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

Wednesday: AM line dancing, Pinochle, energy assistance (Social Services representative on-site); PM Energy Bingo, book discussion group;

Thursday: AM exercise, Pinochle, yoga (new addition to weekly schedule); PM crafts, bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), chorus group;

Friday: AM mah jongg, sewing, quilting; PM knitting.

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