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Baby boomers are now welcome at the Marana Senior Center, which has loosened its age requirement and extended its hours at its satellite location.

People as young as 50 can now take part in activities at the center's main location, 13250 N. Lon Adams Road, and the auxiliary, Lord of Grace Lutheran Church, 7250 N. Cortaro Road.

The main center's extensive offerings — almost all of which are free — range from computer classes to card games, tai chi and out-of-town trips. The satellite location has ballroom and line dancing, games and other social activities.

Until about a month ago, the center served only people 55 or older.

It aims to bring in younger, more active folks with the new, lower age limit while still catering to older patrons.

"We're just staying in line with other senior centers, AARP and the trend across the nation to bring in the baby boomers," explained Marilyn Payton, senior program coordinator at the center.

"We're becoming a non- typical senior center. We're much more than bingo and dominoes, because we're programming for the boomers all the way up through 100 years (old). We need the younger senior to keep our center young and youthful and active."

Payton helped a group of women, including Cheryle King, establish the Marana Desert Queens, a chapter of the Red Hat Society. The group of women age 50 or older meets monthly at the senior center and recently held an auction there.

"We were trying to raise money to do something that we can do together and be a support system with each other," said King, the group's "Queen Mum."

King is pleased that the center has extended its age limit. Although she is now 58, she first started going to the center when she was 54, accompanying her mother.

"I couldn't have participated in a lot of the activities because I was not of age," she said.

Another change: The center has phased out serving lunch, although seniors can dine at the nearby Marana Middle School.

The center's Lord of Grace location, which used to be open 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Fridays, is now open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The main location on Lon Adams Road is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays.

There are generally no fees associated with classes except for computer and digital photography classes. Some day trips require small fees (a $5 deposit, $4 of which is refundable).

The center's operation and activities are paid for through taxes collected by the town of Marana, and by the Senior Advisory Council, which conducts fundraisers for the center.

Lunch bunch

The Marana Senior Center no longer serves lunch, but lots of the center's patrons go to Marana Middle School and eat in the diner there. It's open to the public 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays, and it only costs $3.

The school, at 11279 W. Grier Road, is within walking distance of the senior center.

Anyone can eat alongside teachers and administrators, said James Remete, district food services director.

"We get a lot of the city workers, we get a lot of Town Hall workers, we get a lot of Marana police, sheriff's" deputies, he said.

Parties every month

The Marana Senior Center hosts themed parties every month. The next one will be Kentucky Derby-themed, on May 1, followed by Cinco de Mayo on May 5, Mother's Day on May 9 and Memorial Day on May 23.

Advance registration and a fee — cash only — are required for some parties. Call the center at 382-3485 for more information.

The most popular class

"Card Again" is, by far, the most popular. It's an arts and crafts class where participants make greeting cards from scratch and learn special folding techniques.

It's held generally once a week, and its 18 slots fill up quickly.

Like most other classes at the center, Card Again is free. The paid instructor provides the materials.

For more about this class or others at the center, go online to www.marana.com/index.asp?nid=355 or call 382-3485.