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.

This Week’s Programs

News For Week of March 13-17

*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.

*St Patrick’s Day at HUNT’S LANDING will be Wednesday, March 15. Cost is $70 per person, which includes deluxe motorcoach transportation, family style lunch 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.

*LIFELINE SCREENINGS will be conducted at the senior center on Friday, March 24.

Appointments are necessary. Call or visit the senior center for details about costs (generally $35 or $45 per test, or $109 for three screenings, or $129 for all four available screenings) and to make reservations.

*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.

*CRUISE NEW YORK HARBOR, Saturday, April 8, aboard the three-story yacht, Pleasure and Passion Spirit of New Jersey, while enjoying a lunch buffet. Then it’s on to the Park Theater for a special Easter production of this Passion Play. The oldest production in America chronicles the life and death of Jesus with music and dramas. Cost is $78. The departure time is 8:15 am. Stop by the senior center or call for a reservation or additional information.

*ITALIAN FEST at MT HAVEN RESORT on Wednesday, April 12. Start the day with a breakfast buffet, then enjoy Italian songs, music, bingo, and other entertainment. Then feast on traditional favorites such as eggplant parmigiano, lasagna and sausage and peppers.

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*REMINDERS: 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: 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 offered 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.

*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.

*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!

*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.

Menu For Week of

March 13-17

Reservations must be made one or two

days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

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;

Wednesday: Pork chop, apple stuffing, California blend vegetables, seedless rye bread, applesauce;

Thursday: French onion soup, unsalted crackers, oven fried chicken, green beans, dinner roll, diet fruited jello with topping;

Friday: St Patrick’s Day Special: Corned beef with mustard, cabbage wedge, boiled red potato, diced carrots, Irish soda bread, holiday cake.

Also, for planning ahead—

Monday, March 20: Lemon pepper chicken quarter, rice with gravy, bean blend, whole wheat bread, apricot halves;

Tuesday, March 21: Hungarian stuffed cabbage, buttered noodles, diced carrots, oatmeal bread, apple juice, seasonal fresh fruit;

Activities Schedule,

March 13-17

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.