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.

This Week’s Programs

*It’ll be SENIOR APPRECIATION DAY at People’s Bank on Monday, December 8, from 10 am to noon. People’s Bank will be offering a Safe Banking Open House at the branch inside Super Stop & Shop in Sand Hill Plaza. There will be ATM demonstrations, Express Plus demonstrations, and the opportunity to try for a $25 gift certificate. Enjoy the gift of holiday safety courtesy of People’s Bank and Newtown Police Department.

*Ann McGrath will be visiting the senior center for a HOLIDAY PINECONE WORKSHOP on Tuesday, December 9. The workshop will begin at 1 pm. Participants will be making a holiday angel from pinecones. Space is limited for this class, so early registration is being recommended. Call or visit the senior center.

*HEALTH NET, SMART CHOICE will be at the senior center on Wednesday, December 10, at 1 pm. Bonnie Maynard, representative from Health Net, will be giving an informal seminar offering an update on Medicate benefits. Health Net has been providing quality coverage for more than ten years. Come learn about its health plan and what they have to offer.

*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.

*****************

REMINDERS: Has it been a while since you’ve played Bridge? Would you like to learn how? Stop by the senior center any Monday at 10 am for MARY MATERN’S BRIDGE GROUP.

*Marilyn’s at it again – Grab your walking shoes and catch up with her for WEEKLY WALKS AT FAIRFIELD HILLS each Monday at 10 am. She starts each week from Newtown House.

*CHAIR EXERCISE: Debbie’s chair exercise class is now being offered on two occasions each week. Join us at the senior center Monday afternoons at 1 pm and Wednesday mornings at 10.

This is a low-level chair exercise class. We target the seniors who haven’t exercised in a while and those who would like additional 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.

*HATHA YOGA CLASSES will now be offered Monday and Thursday mornings at 10. Bring a mat or towel to lie on and wear loose clothing (no belts; sweats are perfect).

*ART CLASSES are now being offered on Monday afternoons at 1.

*Join Debbie Kenyon for EXERCISE CLASSES on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10 am that 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 January 6 at 3 pm.

*Thinking about doing some TRAVELING IN 2004? Trips are being scheduled to Beijing in February, Philadelphia in March, Nantucket and Pennsylvania in April (separate trips), Santa Fe in May, and a special “America’s Rockies By Rail” package in August. Stop by the senior center for more details.

Menu For Week of December 8-12

Reservations must be made one or two days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Monday: Cheese lasagna, parmesean cheese, fresh zucchini, tossed salad with ranch dressing, garlic bread, fresh fruit;

Tuesday: Stuffed cabbage, mashed potatoes, peas and onions, whole wheat bread, apple juice, tapioca pudding with fruit topping;

Wednesday: Cream of tomato soup, unsalted crackers, baked cod Mediterranean, rice, broccoli florettes, marble rye, apple crisp with topping;

Thursday: Turkey with gravy, sweet potato, green beans, cranberry sauce, dinner roll, chocolate chip cookie;

Friday: Beef stew, noodles, garden salad with ranch dressing, biscuit, fresh fruit.

Activities Schedule, December 8-12

Monday: AM Bridge, hatha yoga class, walking group (at Newtown House, Fairfield Hills), massage therapy (by appointment), Senior Appreciation Day (at People’s Bank at Super Stop & Shop); PM chair exercise class, art class;

Tuesday: AM exercise; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), holiday pinecone workshop;

Wednesday: AM chair exercise class; PM Bingo, “Health Net, Smart Choice” program;

Thursday: AM exercise, hatha yoga class; PM bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), chorus/sing-along group, Christmas Party (at Fireside Inn);

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

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