Services for Newtown seniors are sponsored by the Commission on Aging and are available at the Multi-Purpose Building on Riverside Road in Sandy Hook. For more information about programs offered at the Senior Center call 270-4310.

For information on federal, state and community resources available to seniors, call 270-4330 or 270-4315.

You may drop in at the Senior Center on Riverside Road in Sandy Hook weekdays between 10 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 the new Wal*Mart store on Route 6). Cost is 60¢ 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.

News For Week of         October 20-24

*Please join us on Wednesday, October 29, for HALLOWEEN BINGO. The fun starts at 1 – come in costume and give us a scare. Call the senior center to sign up for what should be a frightfully good time.

*Beginning October 24 Diane Sjoblom will be offering PIANO LESSONS for beginners as well as those who would like a refresher course. She will help students learn how to read music and chords as well as play. Diane will be here from 1 to 2 pm and lessons are just $5 each; reservations are required.

*MASSAGE THERAPIST ANITA MOTT will be visiting the senior center on the first Monday of the month beginning in November. She will be here from 10 am until noon, and appointments are necessary. Her first session will be November 3. Please call for additional information or details.

*Believe it or not we’re already looking forward to the holidays. Mark your calendar: The annual Newtown Senior Center Christmas Party will be Thursday, December 11, from 11 am to 3 pm. There will be live music, a gourmet lunch buffet, raffle prizes, and it’s all just $20 per person. Call us to reserve a spot.

This Week’s Programs

*Please plan to join us on Wednesday, October 22, for a frightfully good time with BILL MICHAELS. Come dressed to scare and enjoy some Halloween entertainment.

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REMINDERS: HATHA YOGA CLASSES are Monday afternoons at 1 as well as Thursday mornings at 10. Bring a mat or towel to lie on and wear loose clothing (no belts; sweats are perfect).

*If getting exercise indoors is more your thing, visit the senior center on Mondays at 10 am for CHAIR EXERCISE WITH DEBBIE. This new exercise class is a low impact class. We will target seniors who may not have exercised in a while as well as those who would like a new way to achieve upper body stretching.

*Our SEWING CLASS is currently working on chemo caps, totes for cancer patients, and trach bibs. If you are interested in helping with this project, please join us on Mondays at 1 pm.

*Join Debbie Kenyon for EXERCISE CLASSES on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10 am are vigorous yet gentle, with lots of stretches. The class incorporates resistance band work with some low-impact cardio and lots of stretches. Participants are encouraged to go at their own rate and finish feeling refreshed, invigorated and with more energy.

*Join Marilyn on Tuesdays at 1:30 for AFTERNOON CRAFTS.

*Join us at BROOKFIELD LANES each Tuesday and Thursday for a great time bowling. We meet at noon and the cost is only $1.25 per game.

*Join us at the senior center each Thursday afternoon for CHORUS GROUP at 1 pm. Join us, too, if you play the piano.

*MAH JONGG players have two opportunities on Fridays. The advanced group plays at 9 am, and a beginner’s group plays at 1.

*QUILTING CLASS meets on Fridays at 10 am.

*NEW HORIZONS, a support group for widows and widowers, usually meets at the senior center on the first Tuesday of each month. The next meeting will be on November 4 at 3 pm.

*Newtown senior citizens are invited to participate in a day trip to MOHEGAN SUN CASINO on Wednesday, November 5. Departure will be at 8 am and cost is $21 per person, which includes coach bus transportation to Uncasville and the driver’s tip, $10 in food credits, and two $5 plays on the big wheel or one $10 play on the big wheel. Sign up early; this is usually a popular trip.

*Newtown seniors are also invited to a day trip to HUNT’S LANDING for a Big Band Festival on Thursday, November 13. Departure is 9:30 and the cost is $62 per person. Enjoy a fabulous Big Band show, dancing, a sit-down dinner, one hour open bar, two hours of a beer-wine-soda bar, and a Big Band Cash Raffle. Call the senior center for details or to sign up.

Menu For Week of         October 20-24

Reservations must be made three days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Monday: BBQ chicken quarter, macaroni and cheese, vegetable medley, corn bread, sugar cookie;

Tuesday: Eggplant Parmesan, spaghetti with sauce, Parmesan cheese, Italian vegetable medley, garlic bread, cranberry juice, diet fruited Jell-O with topping;

Wednesday: Potato-crunch fish with tartar sauce and lemon sides, rice pilaf, broccoli florets, Italian bread, fresh fruit;

Thursday: Pot roast with gravy, mashed potatoes, spinach, whole wheat bread, birthday cake;

Friday: Italian wedding soup, unsalted crackers, fresh ham with gravy, scalloped potatoes, French cut green beans, rye bread, mandarin oranges.

Activities Schedule,

 October 20-24

Monday: AM Pinochle, Bridge, art class, walking group (at Newtown House, Fairfield Hills); PM yoga, sewing, chair exercise class;

Tuesday: AM Pinochle, exercise, financial advice; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes);

Wednesday: AM chair exercise class, line dancing, Pinochle; PM Bingo, Bill Michaels program;

Thursday: AM exercise, Pinochle, yoga; PM crafts, bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), chorus;

Friday: AM advanced mah jongg, sewing, quilting; PM knitting, beginner’s mah jongg, piano lessons.

 Remember, you must call three days in advance to book a meal or a ride, 270-4310; the Senior Bus, 748-2511.