Â 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.

By SHANNON HICKS

Published: Feb 26, 2001 12:00 am

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 Weekâs Programs

NEW HORIZONS meets the first Tuesday of the month at 3 pm. The next meeting will be on March 6.

THE BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP meets the first Wednesday of the month from 2 to 3 pm. The next meeting, therefore, will be March 7. This monthâs book is 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff.

News For Week of February 26-March 2

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS: 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.

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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.

This gentle type of yoga can be practiced by anyone at any age and state of health. No special equipment is needed other than a mat or towel to lie on. Benefits include the strengthening of the spine and muscles throughout the body; improvement to circulation, concentration and balance; a massage of the internal organs; and the relief of stress. Many doctors and rehabilitation centers recommend yoga for their patients. Come give it a try â one class and you will be hooked.

HEREâS TO THE 21ST CENTURY! Write down your memories of all the changes you experienced during the 20th Century. Weâre sure there are many. Then submit them to Marilyn for the senior centerâs 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 âOperation Toasty Toes,â 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 Newtownâs 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 yearâs 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.

WE HAVE STARTED OUR CHORUS GROUP AGAIN. Join us at the senior center each Thursday afternoon at 1 pm. Songs like âShine On Harvest Moon,â âWhen You Wish Upon A Star,â âOklahomaâ and âGrand Old Flagâ will be enjoyed each week. Join us, too, if you play the piano. The more the merrierâ¦

The QUILTING CLASS meets every Friday at 10 am, and is in full swing. Quilts are individually made. The group is working on a âtown quiltâ and is looking for dedicated quilters to join in this project.

âTHE GOLDEN AGE OF RADIOâ has been rescheduled. The new date for the special program is Wednesday, July 11.

Visit the senior center for details concerning this yearâs 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.

AN OCEAN PRINCESS CARIBBEAN CRUISE is available for Newtown seniors to join, March 18-25, with stops in St Lucia, St Kitts, St Maarten, Barbados and St Thomas. Costs range from $1,319 to $1,999 per person.

Menu For Week Of March 5-9

Reservations must be made three days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Meals include low-fat milk and margarine.

Monday: BBQ chicken, macaroni & cheese, California blend vegetables, corn bread, fruit;

Tuesday: Vegetable soup, unsalted crackers, bowtie-lentil-tomato soup, tossed salad w/ French dressing, French bread, fruit cup;

Wednesday: Beef patty, sauteed onions & mushrooms, tater tots, butternut squash, burger roll, ketchup, pineapple juice, brownie;

Thursday: Baked ham w/ raisin suace, scalloped potatoes, peas, rye bread, peaches;

Friday: Fish florentine, rice, Italian green beans, whole wheat bread, fruited diet Jell-O w/ topping.

Activities Schedule, March 5-9

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

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

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

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.

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

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My darling, You were the best GRANDmother a child could ask for. You created so many great memories & traditions that I have passed down to your Great grandchildren. You brought joy into every room you stepped into. Your laughter, singing, whistling and the signature Rockettes high kicks, is something I will always hold in my heart. There was something about walking into your home and being greeted by your beautiful face. *kiss on each check* followed by HELLOOOOOO Darling! The classical music playing softly in the background and your love and comfort made your home, a safe space. Somewhere, where love knew no boundaries. It was so much more than a home. I aim for the same in my home, and play the classic music 24/7, but it will never be the same. I pray I can be 1/4 of GRAND, you put in GRANDmother. You were so resilient. You found the positive in every situation. I look up to you so much. I remember begging Mom and Dad for years to change my name to “Carmen”. They didn’t officially change my name, but eventually started calling me “Carmenita” as I am a little you. THE HONOR. You were there for me, no matter the day or hour. You were always the one who would talk me through whatever hard situation I was going through. When my baby passed away, I refused to talk to anyone for 3 weeks. Except for you. You said to me “Better days are coming, babes. There’s always a rainbow after the storm”. Of course, you were right, because you are GRAND. I picture you in heaven dancing and laughing with him. Uncle Jay playing the money game with him. To know you are with your children again & with mine does bring me some joy. Twas the night before Christmas & New Year’s Eve, will never be the same. Another tradition you created. A memory that will last forever. Not just with me, but for generations to come. It may not be the same, but we won’t let it die. It will live on, in your name. To be your first GRANDchild was a blessing. I could write an entire book about you & all the amazing things about you. Even though we were robbed of time together & it makes me angry, I know I will see you again. This isn’t a goodbye, but a “see you later”. Just like we ended every phone call. Ciao, darling. I love you. MWAH MWAH! Love your GRANDchild, Kimberly aka Carmenita

Carmen Accashian

Unfortunately, I think this is likely to get worse, not better... Based on both public comments and private conversations, I’m increasingly concerned that our newly elected First Selectman intends not just to install these cameras, but to expand their use for full-blown enforcement and fines. Try getting a straight answer out of him about the long-term plan and you quickly realize how vague the responses become. Tyler is absolutely right to raise the privacy issue. These systems don’t just “catch speeders” — they quietly build a database of where we drive, when we drive, and who is in our vehicles. Once that infrastructure is in place, it becomes very easy to justify expanding its scope: more cameras, more locations, more uses, and eventually more automated enforcement. If Newtown is going down this road, residents deserve clear, written answers to some basic questions before anything is expanded: What limits will be placed on how and where cameras are used? Will footage and plate data be used only for speed enforcement, or for other investigations too? How long will data be stored, and who can access it? What safeguards will prevent vendors and individuals from abusing this information? Without firm, enforceable rules in place, “just a few cameras to slow traffic” can turn into something very different over time. I support safe roads — but not at the cost of unchecked surveillance and vague promises from our leaders. You try getting straight answers out of our First Selectman, myself and others have not been able to...

Discusses Traffic Cameras

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Real people were just in a frightening car accident. To immediately frame their misfortune as rhetorical ammunition against new housing — affordable housing included — feels less like concern for “health and safety” and more like opportunistically using a scary moment to support a pre-existing position. If we’re going to debate this proposal, we should do it honestly: with data on traffic volume, accident history, engineering recommendations, and the town’s housing needs, not by seizing on a single crash as proof that 300 apartments are inherently unsafe. Newtown deserves a thoughtful, fact-based conversation about growth, safety, and affordability — one that doesn’t turn other people’s bad day into a political talking point.

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To add context that did not occur at the meeting would not be an accurate representation of the meeting and would, in fact, be editorializing to shape public opinion. The editorial staff here do not consider ourselves to be final arbiters of what the truth is (and if we did, it would make us partisan and biased), and we would need to provide a source for any dissenting information (sourcing all information in an article is literally Journalism 101). There were no such sources present at the meeting in question, and so it would not be appropriate to include such information in an article about the meeting. Dissenting voices appear in meeting stories when there were active participants with dissenting opinions, such as during public participation or the words of a council member who disagreed. It should be noted that the Interfaith Council, like many local boards and commissions, conduct meetings that are open to the public. This was not an article on the actions of the Greater Danbury Area Unites for Immigrants, or on immigrants, or on ICE's actions in the community, where including other voices or perspectives would be appropriate. We appreciate your opinion, but we stand by our meeting coverage and consider this discussion closed.

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Â 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.

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