SENIOR NEWS

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

 December 15-19

*The senior center will be CLOSED on Thursday, December 25, in observance of Christmas. We’ll be open again on Friday, December 26, with a full slate of activities and lunch. Don’t forget to make your reservation if you’ll be joining us for lunch on Friday.

*Massage therapist ANITA MOTT has begun visiting on the first Monday of each month to offer massage for a fee, by appointment only. Her next visit will be on January 5, and she will be here between 10 am and noon. Call the senior center for details on the cost of a massage and to make an appointment.

*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.

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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.

*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 22-26

Reservations must be made one or two days in advance.

Meals are subject to change.

Monday: Pot roast with gravy, potato latkes, applesauce, carrots, rye bread, jelly donut;

Tuesday: Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, peas, whole wheat bread, sliced peaches;

Wednesday: Beef Wellington with gravy, twice baked potato, vegetable medley, multi grain dinner roll, strawberry holiday cake.

Thursday: No lunch today – senior center will be closed for Christmas Day.

Friday: Harvest soup, unsalted crackers, quiche Lorraine, diced carrots, soft breadstick, chocolate pudding with topping.

Activities Schedule, December 22-26

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

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

Wednesday: AM chair exercise class; PM Bingo;

Thursday: No activities scheduled. The senior center will be closed on Christmas.

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

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