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 more information about programs offered at the Senior Center call 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 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.

 

This Week’s Programs

*Sign up for senior tax relief benefits will be on Thursdays, March 11 and 25 and April 8, from 9 am to noon, and Thursday, April 22, from 1 to 4 pm.

*On Thursdays, from 10 am to noon through March 31, speak with a representative to see if you are eligible for energy assistance.

*AARP INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE, for lower and medium income, appointments are available Mondays only, from 9 am to noon, through April 5. Bring last year’s tax return and any other pertinent information. Call 203-270-4310 to set up an appointment.

*Donations of yarn and clear glass vases of at least 10 inches high are needed at the center. We cannot use bud vases at this time.

 

Upcoming Programs

*An afternoon of music with Bob Mell and Karen Wagner will entertain your heart with special songs, new and old, on Monday, March 15, at 1 pm. Refreshments will be served. Registration is requested; call 203-270-4310.

*On Wednesday, March 24, at noon, join the fun with our guest chef carving a fresh roast beef, served with Delmonico potatoes, green beans, country gravy, and apple pie ala mode. Reservations are requested and a fee of $5.50 must be paid at signup. After the luncheon, stay and listen to Randell Holloway performing the 1950s and 1960s At The Hop songs.

*Ace in the Hole Productions presents Red Hot Hunks for your dancing and listening delights on Thursday, April 8, at The Brownstone in Paterson, N.J., complete with lunch and a dollar-a-drink bar. Depart at 9 am; cost is $83.

*Health Net Senior Stars Showcase DANCE COMPETITION on Thursday, April 15, 1:30 to 2:30 pm, featuring The Stuck On You Band. Dancing will be judged on originality, interpretation of music/expression, demonstration of the character and rhythm of the dance, entertainment value, and partnership connection. Contest is open to couples, singles, and line dancers. Judging provided by USA Dance. For information, call Marilyn at 203-270-4310.

Day Trips

*ST PATRICK’S DAY at Hunt’s Landing, on Wednesday, March 17, includes hot breakfast buffet, open bar, music, dancing, activities and entertainment, bingo, live cooking demonstration and a spectacular St Patrick’s Day buffet feast and fresh baked cookies for the ride home. Depart at 8:30 am, cost is $79.

*Let Irish Eyes Fall Upon You on Thursday, March 18, at 1 pm. The Cell Mates are talented seniors who sing and encourage good old sing-alongs. Sign up for lunch and enjoy an afternoon of good old-fashioned harmony of tunes.

*Jazz yourself up and come on down for a “Taste of New Orleans,” on Monday, April 19, at the Aqua Turf Club. Coffee and donuts upon arrival, glass of beer or wine, door prize tickets, and a family-style luncheon. Depart at 9:45; only $36. Note: the 12 seats are taken for the van, but if there is a waiting list, an option for a school bus will be the same price. RSVP ASAP.

*Book now for Glenn Miller Orchestra at the Warner Theatre for Sunday, May 23, at noon, lunch included. Cost is $86.

*Depart 8 am on Wednesday, September 8, stop for coffee at The Great White Way and then off to the Bossa Nova for lunch. After lunch enjoy the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in Jersey Boys  on Broadway, with orchestra seating. Early registration is required. Cost is $190.

 

Overnight Trips

*SINATRA TRIBUTE at Mount Haven Resort in Milford, Penn., April 28 and 29, includes a welcome party with hors d’oeuvres, a five-course meal, and live entertainment featuring Joe Amato as Frank Sinatra. Spend the night in a Jacuzzi suite equipped with a fireplace. On the second day, enjoy a full breakfast buffet and then depart to Monticello Gaming & Raceway. A complete gala buffet lunch and complimentary glass of wine or beer is included. Cost is $189 for doubles, $245 for singles, and $185 for triples. Depart at 8:30 am.

 

Recurring Activities

*YOGA classes are Monday and Thursday at 10:30 am.

*Billiards room; poker/card room; ping pong; and Wii bowling, golf, tennis, and baseball.

*Wii BOWLING, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons.

*MAKE ST PATRICK’S DAY CARDS FOR OUR TROOPS every Tuesday from 10 am to noon and 1 to 3 pm.

*BEGINNERS BRIDGE LESSONS on Wednesday, 1:30 am with Mary Matern.

*Iris card folding CRAFT CLASS every Thursday at 1 pm.

*MOVIE DAY Mondays and Fridays at 2 pm.

Monday: AM hatha yoga, exercise, PM chorus group, weaving, art class, exercise, movie.

Tuesday: AM cards for troops, line dancing; PM Tai Chi, Wii bowling.

Wednesday: AM bridge, exercise; PM exercise.

Thursday: AM hatha yoga; PM iris card folding craft class, Scrabble, Wii bowling.

Friday: AM mah jongg, Quilts of Valor, exercise class, yoga; PM Ecumenical Bible study group, knitting/crocheting, movie.

 

Menu For Week Of

 March 8–12

Monday: Chicken cacciatore served over noodles, diced squash, dinner roll, diet fruited Jell-O with whipped topping.

Tuesday: Minestrone soup with crackers, cold cut grinder with turkey, ham and bologna with lettuce, tomato, mustard or mayo, coleslaw vinaigrette, fruit cocktail.

Wednesday: Cheese baked ziti, sausage, parmesan cheese, Caesar salad with croutons and Caesar dressing, Italian bread, seasonal fresh fruit.

Thursday: Dave’s meatloaf with gravy, baked potato half with sour cream, chopped spinach, oat bread, cranberry juice, oatmeal raisin cookie.

And for planning ahead —

Monday, March 15: Stuffed peppers with marinara sauce, mashed potato, peas and diced carrots, seedless rye bread, mandarin orange sections.

Tuesday, March 16: Herb baked chicken quarter, rice and beans, green beans, wheat bread, mixed fruit juice, marble cake.

Remember, you must call at least one day in advance to book a ride, 203-270-4310; the Senior Bus, 203-748-2511.