Senior services for Newtown seniors are available at the Multi-Purpose Building on Riverside Road in Sandy Hook. The Senior Center is under the auspices of The Commission on Aging. The center is run by the Senior Services Director, Marilyn Place. For more information about programs offered at the Senior Center call 270-4310.

You may drop in at the Senior Center on Riverside Road in Sandy Hook 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 mini-bus 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 Wal*Mart Route 6). Cost is 65¢ each way for the Sand Hill Plaza trip, 75¢ 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.

 

News For Week Of March 6-10

*POT LUCK DINNERS on Tuesday, March 7, will have as its theme St Patrick’s Day. Enjoy some company and bring a dish to share. Call us to let us know you’re coming, and to let us know what kind of dish you will be bringing.

*March 7 CRAFT CLASS is a St Patty’s sphere you can hang or display. Craft classes are every other Tuesday at 1 pm with our new craft teacher, Rita Steiner, a retired teacher.

*ST PATTY’S MUSIC – Share some foot-tapping, sing-a-longs with Larry Ayce on Wednesday, March 8, at 1 pm.

*St Patrick’s Day at HUNT’S LANDING will be Wednesday, March 15. Cost is $70 per person, which includes deluxe motorcoach transportation, the food and entertainment at Hunt’s Landing, and the bus driver’s tip. Departure is 9:15 am. Stop by the senior center or call for a reservation or additional information.

Please note the departure time was listed incorrectly in previous editions of The Bee. We are indeed leaving at 9:15 that morning.

*Lunch at Tavern on The Green and an afternoon at the theater? That’s what is in store for Newtown’s senior citizens on Wednesday, March 29. Cost for this trip is $136, which includes the deluxe motorcoach transportation, luncheon at one of Manhattan’s most famous restaurants, and then a performance of Menopause the Musical.

Call or stop by the senior center for full details and to make a reservation.

*THE PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD through RSVP, is an award created to honor volunteers who established, by commitment and example, a standard for every American.

The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation recognizes volunteers who are helping others and bringing families, neighbors, communities and the nation closer.

RSVP has sponsored ten members from Newtown who will be honored at a tea on Thursday, March 30, at 1 pm, at the Senior Center. Remember to report your 2006 RSVP hours.

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REMINDERS: AARP’s SAFETY DRIVING COURSE returns to Newtown on Monday, March 13, and Monday, March 20, from 1 to 5 pm. Attendees must attend both classes.

We have a new instructor.

Class size is limited, so call soon to sign up. 

*ENERGY ASSISTANCE applications are being accepted, until March 31, for help in heating oil, propane, kerosene and other deliverables.

Income limits are $19,140 for a single person and $25,660 for a couple.

Please call the senior center or come in for additional information.

*AARP INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE has returned to the senior center.

An AARP representative will be here each Monday from 9 am until noon, and you will need an appointment to sit down for help with them. You will also need to bring your 2005 tax return and all other pertinent information.

The income tax assistance is being until April 10, and appointments are being scheduled now. Call 270-4310 for details.

*ConnPace/MEDICARE PART D: If you do not understand the letters from Social Security pertaining to changes in Medicare Part D, call 270-4330 for help.

If you need help with your prescriptions and your income is less than $22,300 (single person) or $30,100 (couple), you should apply for ConnPace. You will still sign up for Medicare Part D and if you qualify for ConnPace, you will not pay the $37 monthly premium.

*If you do not understand the LETTERS FROM SOCIAL SECURITY pertaining to changes in Medicare Part D (ConnPace/Medicare Part D), call 270-4330 for some help.

*Linda Casey has begun ART LESSONS on Thursdays at 1 pm. Linda has had her work published in Connecticut Magazine. Join her for some quality lessons!

*The QUILTING WORKSHOP ON FRIDAYS (each week at 10:30 am) will focus on ABC QUILTS in March. Fee for this month-long project is $20, which covers all materials. A sample of the project is on display in the main room at the senior center.

*March 21 CRAFT CLASS is a 17 by 23 ribbon bulletin board. Craft classes are every other Tuesday 1 pm with our new craft teacher, Rita Steiner, a retired teacher.

*MUNICIPAL AGENT ANN PICCINI’s office is at 3 Main Street (below the police department). She is available to help with Conn Pace, medical information and Title 19 issues. She is someone who can help you figure your way through these sometimes confusing subjects.

Call her at 270-4330, Monday through Friday.

Menu For Week of March 6-10

Reservations must be made one or two days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Monday, March 6: Veal parmesan, penne with marinara sauce, broccoli florettes, parmesan cheese, Italian bread, sugar cookie;

Tuesday, March 7: Hot open turkey sandwich/gravy, sweet potato pone, green beans, orange juice, apple with raisins;

Wednesday: BBQ chicken quarter, buttered noodles, fresh zucchini, wheat dinner roll, vanilla pudding with fruit topping;

Thursday: Meatloaf with gravy, mashed potato, diced carrots, oatmeal bread, pineapple juice, apricot halves;

Friday: Cream of tomato soup, unsalted crackers, tuna salad sandwich on a club roll with lettuce and tomato, three bean salad, cling peaches.

Also, for planning ahead—

Monday, March 13: Potato boat with turkey chili, shredded cheese, corn niblets, cornbread, mixed fruit juice, seasonal fresh fruit;

Tuesday, March 14: Salisbury steak with gravy, mashed potato, peas & diced carrots, pumpernickel bread, sliced pears;

Activities Schedule, March 6-10

Monday: AM pinochle, hatha yoga, exercise; PM chorus group, computer classes;

Tuesday: AM pinochle, country-western line dancing; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), crafts, computer classes, potluck dinner;

Wednesday: AM pinochle, exercise; PM bingo, crafts;

Thursday: AM pinochle, hatha yoga; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), TRIAD/Yellow Dot photos taken, art lessons;

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

Remember, you must call at least one day in advance to book a meal or a ride, 270-4310; the Senior Bus, 748-2511.