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

 

News For Week of February 19-23

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS: Please note that Newtown Senior Center will be CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF PRESIDENTS’ DAY on Monday, February 19. We’ll see you on Tuesday.

“ELECTRIC CHOICE” REPRISE: Back by popular demand, Donna Devino will return on Wednesday, February 28, to offer an update on standard offer, aggregators, brokers and marketers, and other restructuring topics. Call 270-4310 to sign up.

The Newtown High School Drama Club will be presenting its next dinner theatre presentation for seniors on Thursday, March 22. Dinner begins at 5:30 and will be followed by a 7 pm curtain for MAN OF LA MANCHA. The dinner theatre will be at the high school, but you need to contact the senior center for reservations (270-4310).

“THE GOLDEN AGE OF RADIO” has been rescheduled. The new date for the special program is Wednesday, July 11.

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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 is an easy-does-it type of yoga where each student listens to his or her body, stretches within his or her capability without discomfort, and learns to use diaphramatic breathing, relaxation and meditation.

This gentle type of yoga can be practiced by anyone at any age and state of health. No special equipment is needed other than a mat or towel to lie on. Benefits include the strengthening of the spine and muscles throughout the body; improvement to circulation, concentration and balance; a massage of the internal organs; and the relief of stress. Many doctors and rehabilitation centers recommend yoga for their patients. 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 — and then bring them to Marilyn for the senior center’s scrapbook.

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 if you are interested, 270-4310.

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 will continue to lead the class.

There is an URGENT NEED FOR MATERIAL. The offerings and availability of senior citizens’ projects have been expanding, so now we have an urgent need for all types of fabric. Please bring any fabric to the center so that we may continue with our very popular quilting, sewing and craft classes. All types of fabric is needed.We welcome donations of yarn, also.

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.

Join us, with teacher Toni Ivey, for CRAFT CLASSES each Tuesday at 1 pm. The classes are working on special projects.

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.

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.

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…

The QUILTING CLASS meets every Friday at 10 am, and is in full swing. Quilts are individually made. The group is working on 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 19-23

Reservations must be made three days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Meals include low-fat milk and margarine.

Monday: No lunch served today — the center will be closed in observance of Presidents’ Day.

Tuesday: Herb baked chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, whole wheat bread, fruit;

Wednesday: Spaghetti & meatballs w/ sauce & Parmesean cheese, tossed salad w/ French dressing, garlic bread, Jell-O w/ topping;

Thursday: Cream of carrot soup, unsalted crackers, butter-crumb fish w/ tartar sauce, tater tots, fresh zucchini, dinner roll, birthday cake;

Friday: Sliced steak w/ gravy, rice & beans, carrot coins, rye bread, orange juice, peanut butter cookie.

Activities Schedule, February 19-23

Monday: No activities scheduled — the senior center will be closed on Presidents’ Day.

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

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

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.