As one of Newtown’s seniors, I am dismayed at the apparent favoritism given the “private entity” known as the Children’s Adventure Center — and carefully note the word private by our town representatives.

We need more space! There is no doubt about it. Have any of the Bee’s readers ever tried to attend a line-dancing class at the Newtown Senior Center in a lovely but tiny room while other people are cross-walking to the bathrooms, the equally tiny exercise room, the reception desk, entering the center, all while Marilyn Place, our efficient and patient director answers the phone, and people cross-talk getting lunch ready? Imagine the noise, plus the risk of someone falling after an unavoidable bump from a line dancer.

We need more space. Granted, what we have is lovely, but it’s Alice in Wonderland smallness does not attract new seniors. In fact, it turns some away.

Today I attended a Valentine’s Day party at Bethel Senior Center in a very large room with approximately 150 people, with room for a live band and dancing. This is only one of the many rooms at Bethel.

The towns of Brookfield and Danbury provide ample room for their seniors to enjoy activities simultaneously. Danbury even boasts a brand new building.

Newtown is a large town in area. Why is our center not in proportion to the number of its seniors?

One dollar a year for the Children’s Adventure Center to pay to use half a building is ridiculous. My personal solution is for the Senior Center to have the entire building to itself. How wonderful that would be? Where would the children go? Frankly, Scarlett, I don’t care (to paraphrase Rhett Butler — I guess only the seniors remember him!).

Please remember that everyone will be a senior one day. We need something larger than a pretty doll’s house.

Nancy D. Gordon

11 Dinglebrook Lane, Newtown                             February 13, 2004