Friends of Newtown Seniors (FONS) celebrated a big milestone on Thursday, June 11, when the non-profit organization held its third annual membership dinner at Newtown Community Center.

The inclement weather did not stop dozens of Newtown residents ages 55 and over from attending and learning what FONS achieved in the past year and its goals for the immediate future.

Since its launch in 2016, FONS has provided advocacy and services to Newtown seniors. The organization accomplishes this through various initiatives, such as the Chore Services program, which helps seniors remain in their homes independently, and the Newtown Rides program, which shuttles seniors in need to locations around town for grocery shopping or doctor’s appointments. It also achieves this by working with other local nonprofit, for-profit, governmental, political, and religious organizations serving the Newtown senior population.

Attendees excitedly gathered in the community center's meeting room, where they took their seats at tables topped with red tablecloths and snacks such as crackers and vegetable chips. In addition, for every seat there was a FONS 2025 Annual Report, a member interest form, and an agenda for the night's meeting. The report featured a financial update, a message from FONS President John Boccuzzi Sr, the group's accomplishments in service and advocacy over the past year, and more. Among those in attendance were First Selectman Bruce Walczak, State Representative Mitch Bolinsky, and Councilman Michelle Embree Ku.

There to welcome guests was FONS Board Member Ned Simpson, who sincerely thanked everyone for being there that night, especially considering the "not-so good weather." He handed the microphone over to Boccuzzi, who said it was a pleasure to see so many people be engaged in FONS. Boccuzzi added that, in turn, they are sharing a time in life when many of them are going into retirement and wanting to give back to the community.

He then expressed his sincere gratitude to the group's board members, who have worked tirelessly over the years to organize FONS activities. Boccuzzi went over each board member, going over their work with the group. He thanked Bob Davenport for completing the reorganization of FONS's financial policies and records; Ellen Whalen for overseeing participation in community events; Annmarie Durkin for managing the group's meeting agendas, minute letters, and documents; and Joan Alexander for her work with the group's events committee and fundraising efforts. He went on to thank Bev Bennett-Schaedler, Barbara Bloom, Vicki Boccuzzi, Louise Cronin, Dr Brianna Garrison, and Frank Monette, along with Peter Schwarz, who recently stepped down from the board.

Boccuzzi gave one last thank you to Director of Human Services Natalie Griffith for her work with Newtown Senior Center and in local transportation efforts. Simpson took the microphone again, and began to highlight some of the group's regular events throughout the year. This includes monthly socials at local restaurants, an annual paper shredding at Newtown Savings Bank, and summer concerts at Dickinson Park. Something new FONS started using for its ticket-based events this year was Zeffy, an online fundraising and payment software for nonprofit organizations. Despite the occasional hiccup or glitch, Simpson said the platform has been useful when it comes to organization.

Simpson also told attendees to be on the lookout for FONS's upcoming events, such as its third annual Summer Soiree.

However, he added that FONS is planning more than just events. One idea Simpson said they are working on is a Newtown Senior Discount Card, which would give Newtown senior residents discounts for oil/propane fuel, gas stations, restaurants, food stores, cleaners, pet supplies, and car services.

Simpson said the idea had only been around for 6-8 weeks by that point, but had already gotten positive reception.

"It should be an exciting, good opportunity to pursue," Simpson said.

The other new idea, he said, is a Day-to-Day Money Manager for people who can no longer effectively manage their checkbooks, statements, e-mails, and notifications.

"We're going to see what we can do about that," Simpson continued.

While Simpson noted there are other programs around the country that do this, they figured people could help others in their community on this issue. He encouraged people to check off both items in the meeting's interest form if they wanted to help.

Afterwards, Simpson went over feedback from last year's FONS Membership Dinner, provided by the guests in attendance that evening. The first category, "Reasons to Move to Newtown," featured responses such as sense of community, clean streets, good senior services, garden clubs, restaurants, faith groups, and access to retail, medical facilities, and parkways.

Many people, he noted, said they lived in Newtown to be near family.

As for "Reasons to Not Move to Newtown," attendees noted issues with transportation, affordability, and availability of housing.

Simpson said getting feedback from local seniors is incredibly important, as 26.8% of Newtown's population is 60 and over.

He then reviewed topics discussed at FONS's monthly Roundtable Meetings. These are meetings open to everyone in town with the purpose of sharing information and learning about issues important to seniors in Newtown.

Available apartment rentals are a particular issue of note, Simpson said, as there are nearly zero apartments available in Newtown regardless of price.

Simpson said FONS has been working more in conjunction with Newtown Senior Center and the Commission on Aging (COA), as part of Newtown Senior Alliance; housing has been a recurring topic at COA's meetings, and is something Director of Economic & Community Development John Voket will visit the commission to discuss at their next meeting.

If people want to give feedback about local topics such as housing, transportation, and property tax, Simpson encouraged them to attend one of FONS's Monthly Roundtables, held on the fourth Tuesday every month, 5 pm, at Newtown Senior Center.

Simpson also reviewed FONS's work in transportation, advocating for the handicap parking spaces at Newtown Municipal Center to be moved closer to the building's entrance and improvements to the drop-off and parking area at C.H. Booth Library.

Some of the group's more recent efforts include Newtown Rides and supporting Newtown Easy Transit, which provides curb-to-curb transportation for Newtown residents age 60 and older, as well as adults with disabilities.

However, Simpson said there is more to be done in reducing the holes in the patchwork of public and car service transportation in Newtown.

Simpson then turned the microphone over to attendees in the crowd, asking what was one thing they would like to see more in Newtown. People wanted a big bus for transportation and more retail shopping outlets.

As for what there is too much of, attendees said there are too many restaurants and nail salons.

Simpson encouraged everyone to fill out the meeting's interest form one last time. Then it was time for the event's pig roast and picnic, which was provided by Full Bloom Catering. Attendees lined up by table and were served pork, pulled pork, potato salad, baked macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, hamburgers, cornbread, and more. They could also help themselves to drinks such as water and lemonade, or they could use their free drink ticket for an alcoholic beverage.

The festivities did not end there, as The Rocking Roosters eventually took the floor and got everybody up to dance.

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Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.