Friends Of Newtown Seniors (FONS) recently relaunched a popular monthly series that had been on hold since early last year.

Monthly gatherings for were a no-no during the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization created by and for local senior citizens has in recent months relied on e-mail and livestream, like so many others.

In June, however, FONS Monthly Socials returned.

Janice Garten organized the June 30 event and was very pleased with the response. Nearly two dozen people showed up for hors d’oeuvres and drinks when the Villa Restaurant in Sandy Hook hosted the group.

While the plan had intially been to hold the event on the restaurant's patio, and fall back to its event room in rain spoiled those plans, it was a different weather concern that moved the group into The Villa's Octagon Room. Heat and humidity forced the relocation of the June Monthly Social, where many guests also opted for soft drinks instead of beer or wine on the late June afternoon.

Nevertheless, those who attended enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and plenty of conversation.

Garten said the next event is already being planned for July 28. Local seniors are invited to join FONS at Red Rooster Pub, 160 South Main Street, beginning at 4 pm. Guests will order off the menu, with separate checks.

Contact Garten at 203-430-0633 for details or to be added to the guest list.

Friends of Newtown Seniors is an all-volunteer nonprofit group dedicated to helping the Newtown community address issues that affect the lives and well-being of seniors. Founded in 2017, FONS was formed in the spirit of the “thousand points of light” movement suggested many years ago by President George H. W. Bush. Visit friendsofnewtownseniors.org for additional information.

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Associate Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.