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

*Thanks to everyone who provided items for our white elephant auction. The event was a success and all who participated enjoyed themselves.

*On March 8, at 2 pm the senior center van will be providing transportation from the center (for those who prefer not to drive; seats are limited to 16) to the high school’s annual tea/show for Newtown Seniors. The production this year is Bye Bye Birdie. RSVP to Liz at 203-270-7998, as well as the center to reserve your seating on the van.

*On Thursdays at 10:30 am, create unique spring cards for relatives, friends, the troops, and local nursing homes at the Iris fold card-making sessions. There is a small fee of $2.

*Sign up for AARP Income Tax Assistance 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.

Upcoming Programs

*St Patrick’s Day bingo is Tuesday, March 13, at 1 pm.

*Friday, March 16, at noon, Marilyn’s in the kitchen again! She will be cooking and serving a tilapia fish luncheon with all the trimmings. This luncheon is limited to 30 people and the cost is $6. Call to reserve your seat.

*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.

*Zumba and exercise classes will be cancelled on March 16 due to AARP driving class.

*Enjoy singing to the oldies but goodies? Still looking for members to join the choir on Mondays at 1 pm. Piano player, Ethel, will not be at the center on March 19.

*On March 22 at 10:30 am, Life Line will present “Falls Safety Education,” sponsored by HOME Instead Senior Care. Life Line has given more than 6 million people peace of mind and confidence to help maintain independent living. A light breakfast will be included.

*Applications for Newtown Property Tax Benefit will be available Wednesday, March 28, from 9 am to noon. Bring in 2011 tax return and 1099s. Appointment is not necessary.

*On Thursday, April 5, at noon, our guest chef will prepare a ham luncheon, along with soup salad, vegetable, and dessert. Cost is $6 and is due by March 29. Limit is 30; call for a reservation.

Day Trips

*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.

*St Patrick’s Day celebration at Villa Bianca will be Wednesday, March 14 at 10:30 am. The luncheon, served family style, includes shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage and all the fixings. Live entertainment, music and dance and a complimentary drink ticket are all included. Cost is $29.95. The van seats 16; call to reserve a seat.

*The next bus trip to Mohegan Sun will be March 29. The cost is $30, which includes $15 meal voucher and two $5 vouchers for betting.

Recurring Activities

Monday: 10 am, pinochle; 10:30 am, exercise; noon, lunch; 1 pm, chorus/sing-along; 1:30 pm, art class. 2 pm yoga.

Tuesday: 10 am, Cards 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; 10:30 am Iris fold cards; noon, lunch; 1 pm, Scrabble, 1 pm, yoga; 1:30, crafts.

Friday: 9 am, Zumba Gold and mah jongg; 10 am, pinochle; 10:30 am, quilting and exercise; noon, knit or crochet; 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  March 5–9

Monday: Spaghetti and meatballs, parmesan cheese, spinach salad with tomato, ranch dressing, Italian bread, seasonal fresh fruit.

Tuesday: Herb baked chicken quarter, cut sweet potato, bean blend vegetables, pumpernickel dinner roll, cranberry juice, applesauce.

Wednesday: Pasta fajioli soup, chef’s salad with ham, turkey and cheese, tomato and cucumber, French dressing, herbed breadstick, mandarin oranges.

Thursday: Dave’s meatloaf with gravy, smashed potato, mixed vegetables, wheat bread, carrot cake.

And for planning ahead—

Monday, March 12: Quiche Lorraine, Roman blend vegetables, beets, wheat bread, diet fruited Jell-O with whipped topping.

Tuesday, March 13: Stuffed salmon with rosemary cream sauce, smashed potato, Tuscan blend vegetables, buttermilk biscuit, apricots.