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. Monday from 1 to 3 pm the mini-bus will go to Sand Hill Plaza. Fridays, the bus will alternate going to Danbury Fair Mall and to Berkshire Shopping Plaza. Cost is 60 cents each way for the Sand Hill Plaza trip, 75 cents 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

MUSIC BY LARRY AYCE will be performed on Wednesday, March 14, at 1 pm. Come join us for a fun-filled afternoon. Larry plays all types of music, from polkas to singalong oldies. Call the senior center to sign up.

News For Week of March 12-16

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS: Getaway Tours & Cruises, a Terryville travel angency, is offering “A TIME TO REMEMBER,” a day trip planned for Wednesday, March 28. We will leave the senior center at 10:30, heading to Amarante’s Sea Cliff Restaurant in New Haven, where we will dine and experience the musical A Time to Remember. General Patton requests your presence at is “headquarters,” where his staff has been hard at work readying a delicious meal accompanied by some of the best USO talent in the European and Pacific theatres to entertain the troops.

Cost is $58 per person, which covers everythng from the deluxe motorcoach transportation and driver’s tip to the meal and entertainment at the restaurant. Please visit the senior center as soon as possible to make reservations and payment for this trip if you are interested.

Also new is another Getaway-created trip, “DISCOVER THE BEST OF FALL RIVER.” This is a day trip on Wednesday, April 25, to Fall River, Mass. There will be a tour along the way at Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast Museum, a city landmark since the infamous ax murders of Andrew and his second wife Abby Borden in 1892. Lunch will be at The Abey Grill, which is part of the International Institute of Culinary Arts, and the afternoon will include a visit to The Marine Museum, which owns the world’s largest collection of Titanic memorabilia.

Cost is $60 per person, departure from the senior center is 9 am, and payment is due.

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REMINDERS: YOGA CLASSES HAVE BEEN EXPANDED at Newtown Senior Center. Come join Helen Herbold on Monday afternoons at 1 pm as well as Thursday mornings at 10:15 am. Helen specializes in hatha yoga, which is an easy-does-it type of yoga where each student listens to his or her body, stretches within his or her capability wthout discomfort, and learns to use diaphramatic breathing, relaxation and meditation. Hatha emphasizes breathing, stretching and relaxation.

HERE’S TO THE 21ST CENTURY! Write down your memories of all the changes you experienced during the 20th Century. We’re sure there are many. Then submit them to Marilyn for the senior center’s scrapbook.

OPERATION TOASTY TOES: The American Legion Auxiliary of Newtown is looking for volunteers to knit or crochet slippers for the VA Hospital as well as for those in the armed forces. This worthwhile project is called “Operation Toasty Toes,” and Marilyn Place has the directions for slippers whether knitted or crocheted. She also has plenty of donated yarn for anyone willing to undertake this project. Call is you are interested, 270-4310.

A winter reminder: When we have a special program planned or even during regular days with lunch and classes scheduled, OUR INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY is to cancel any events at the senior center when Newtown’s public schools are closed. Watch for information on Connecticut television stations Channel 3 (WFSB), Channel 6 (WVIT) and Channel 8 (WTNH).

AN EXERCISE TEACHER IS NEEDED at the senior center. We need a teacher for a few hours on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, with the opportunity to begin teaching as soon as possible. If you are interested, call Marilyn at 270-4315. In the meantime, Marilyn and Bea will continue to lead the class.

THE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM will run to April 30 and is geared to low income senior citizens. Income limits are $23,566 for a single person and $30,817 for a couple. There are also liquid asset limits. Necessary documentation includes income from Social Security, pension, wages, interest, etc. This information must be current (within 30 days of application). Utility customers must bring a current bill as proof of address. If you have need of energy assistance this year, please call Social Services at 270-4330 for an appointment and assistance.

AARP INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE will be available January 29 to April 9. Someone will be at the center each Monday from 9 am to noon. There is no charge for this help, but you must make an appointment in advance. Bring last year’s tax return and any other pertinent information with you when you come in. Call 270-4310 to make an appointment.

HMO BAIL-OUT HELP is available at the senior center on Monday afternoons from 1 to 2 pm by appointment only. A HICAP/CHOICES volunteer will be here to help with problems and/or changes. Call the center to make an appointment. To talk to a CHOICES representative at any time, call 800/944-9422.

Join teacher Toni Ivey for CRAFT CLASSES each Tuesday at 1 pm. The classes are working on special projects.

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.

WE HAVE STARTED OUR CHORUS GROUP AGAIN. Join us at the senior center each Thursday afternoon at 1 pm. Songs like “Shine On Harvest Moon,” “When You Wish Upon A Star,” “Oklahoma” and “Grand Old Flag” will be enjoyed each week. Join us, too, if you play the piano. The more the merrier…

The Newtown High School Drama Club will be presenting its next dinner theatre presentation for seniors on Thursday, March 22. Dinner begins at 5:30 and will be followed by a 7 pm curtain for MAN OF LA MANCHA. The dinner theatre will be at the high school, but you need to contact the senior center for reservations (270-4310).

Visit the senior center for details concerning this year’s trips, their dates, and costs. Trips are being scheduled to the Bahamas in May, Trapp Family Lodge, also in May, Nova Scotia and New England in June, the Canadian Rockies in July, separate trips to Bermuda and Nashville in September, New Mexico in October, and France in November.

Menu For Week Of March 12-16

Reservations must be made three days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Meals include low-fat milk and margarine.

Monday: Spaghetti & meatballs, tossed salad w/ Italian dressing, garlic bread, apricots;

Tuesday: Turkey tetrazini, mixed vegetables, tossed salad w/ French dressing, dinner roll, fruited diet Jell-O;

Wednesday: Roast pork w/ gravy, oven roasted potatoes, spinach, rye bread, applesauce garnich, banana;

Thursday: Irish stew, Irish soda bread, green salad w/ ranch dressing, shamrock cookies;

Friday: Split pea soup, unsalted crackers, broccoli quiche, cucumber-tomato salad, French bread, mini éclair.

Activities Schedule, March 12-16

Monday: AM Pinochle, Bridge, art class; PM yoga, HMO help (by appointment);

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

Wednesday: AM line dancing, Pinochle, energy assistance (Social Services representative on-site); PM Bingo, musical program;

Thursday: AM exercise, Pinochle, yoga (new addition to weekly schedule); PM crafts, bowling (at Brookfield Lanes), chorus group;

Friday: AM mah jongg, sewing, quilting; PM knitting.

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