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

NEW HORIZONS meets the first Tuesday of the month at 3 pm. The next meeting will be April 3.

THE BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP meets the first Wednesday of the month from 2 to 3 pm. The next meeting will be April 4 and we will be discussing 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. The book for May 2 will be No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt — The Home Front in WWII by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

News For Week of April 2-6

REMINDERS: The AARP DRIVING COURSE for seniors is returning this spring. Sessions will be offered the weekend of April 23-24 and May 21-22 (you only attend one weekend’s worth of classes, but you must attend both days of the session), from 9 am to 1 pm each day. The $10 fee is payable at the time of the class. Call the senior center to sign up.

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 CONSUMER AWARENESS PROGRAM for seniors will be presented on Thursday, April 26, at 754 Main Street in Monroe, from 8 am to 12:30 pm. The keynote address, “Consumer Concerns in Connecticut,” will be given by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. Subjects to be covered during the morning will also include Medicare fraud, the latest consumer scams, home repair frauds, identity theft, local scams, and legislative efforts to combat scams and frauds. There is no charge, and the program also includes a complimentary breakfast. Registration is limited; call the senior center as soon as possible to sign up.

AARP INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE is available until 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.

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.

AN OSTEOPOROSIS HEEL CHECK will be offered at the senior center on Friday, May 11. The $25 fee for these checks is no longer covered by Medicare. Call the center to sign up for 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.

YOGA CLASSES HAVE BEEN EXPANDED at Newtown Senior Center. Join Helen Herbold on Monday afternoons at 1 pm as well as Thursday mornings at 10:15 am. Helen specializes in hatha yoga, an easy-does-it type of yoga where each student listens to his or her body, stretches within his or her capability without discomfort, and learns to use diaphramatic breathing, relaxation and meditation.

Join teacher Toni Ivey for CRAFT CLASSES each Tuesday at 1 pm.

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.

A representative from Social Services, is visiting the center each Wednesday from 10 am to noon to HELP WITH ENERGY ASSISTANCE. No appointment is necessary.

We have started our CHORUS GROUP again. Join us at the senior center each Thursday afternoon at 1 pm. Join us, too, if you play the piano.

The QUILTING CLASS meets every Friday at 10 am.

 “THE BEST OF FALL RIVER” 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.

A day trip to MOHONK MOUNTAIN will take place Wednesday, May 30. Departure is 9 am, and cost is $60. Spend the day strolling any part of the 2,000 acres of wooded and landscaped grounds; lunch will be at Grand Buffet.

Visit the senior center for details concerning additional 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 April 2-6

Reservations must be made three days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Meals include low-fat milk and margarine.

Monday: Oven fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, spinach w/ vinegar, corn bread, fruit;

Tuesday: Beef stew w/ vegetables, noodles, salad w/ French dressing, grapefruit juice, biscuit, pistachio pudding w/ topping;

Wednesday: Cheese baked ziti w/ tomato sauce & sausage, Parmesean cheese, fresh zucchini, Italian bread, peaches;

Thursday: Honey glazed ham w/ raisin sauce, cut sweet potatoes, peas & pearl onions, dinner roll, carrot cake w/ icing;

Friday: Cream of spinach soup, unsalted crackers, fish w/ lemon-butter sauce & tartar sauce, roasted potatoes, green beans w/ almonds, oatmeal cookie, fruit cocktail.

Activities Schedule, April 2-6

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

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

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

Thursday: AM exercise, Pinochle, yoga; 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.