Dozens of Newtown residents and those from the surrounding area attended Newtown Senior Center’s Open House on Friday, July 11.

Everyone was invited to the senior center late Friday afternoon to tour the facility, meet its staff, and learn about its health and wellness classes from expert instructors.

The open house has been a long time coming, according to Director of Human Services Natalie Griffith. She said they really wanted to reach deeper into the community and bring more Newtown residents into the facility.

“And we thought a great way to try to do that was to have a big party,” Griffith said. “We enjoy our parties here.”

The open house comes shortly after Newtown Senior Center’s membership year kicked off on July 1, so Griffith said it served as the perfect opportunity to “showcase our beautiful facility to everyone.”

Newtown Senior Center Assistant Director Wendy Devereaux said they strive for the Newtown Senior Center to be a “gathering place” for senior residents, where they can get information, connect to resources, and meet new friends over activities such as yoga, ping pong, dancing, sewing, woodworking, and more.

Several additional groups, such as Friends of Newtown Seniors, Stone Bridge Center for Health and Rehabilitation, Synergy HomeCare, Clean Eatz, and others, had their own tables throughout the facility to tell attendees about their services.

Griffith said Newtown Senior Center had a big health fair a while ago, so they wanted this open house to feature a few groups that work closely with the facility.

Attendees could treat themselves to a sample of the lunch program available at Newtown Senior Center. Nick’s Catering, which caters lunches twice a week for the senior center, had its own table where guests could try out dishes such as shrimp scampi and chicken marsala.

Newtown Lions Club member Kevin Corey, who served the food, said he was excited to be there and fill up attendees’ plates.

Matt Ames, who hosts music and dancing events for seniors at Newtown Senior Center, provided music for everyone as they walked through the building.

Everyone could also enjoy light refreshments outside on the senior center’s new patio, which opened in September of last year.

People lined up outside for a scoop of Ferris Acres Creamery’s vanilla, peach, and Route 302 Chocolate Moo ice cream, or its lemon sorbet. Guests talked amongst themselves as they staved off the warm summer weather and enjoyed their sweet treats.

For anyone who missed the open house, Griffith encouraged them to reach out or read the senior center’s monthly newsletter.

To learn more about Newtown Senior Center, located at 8 Simpson Street, visit newtown-ct.gov/senior-center, call 203-270-4310, or visit the facility during its hours of operation, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm.

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