Maricopa seniors organize and socialize

Even without a center or a meeting place to call their own, Maricopa’s seniors are getting organized and having fun doing it.

The group meets every second and fourth Thursday from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. in the classroom at the rear of Anytime Fitness.

According to organizer Carol Grandfield, the long-term goal is to have a facility just for senior activities, but the short-term goal is “to get seniors together wherever we can meet in Maricopa.”

This Thursday, approximately 25 Maricopa seniors met to socialize and discuss various topics of interest, including the Silver Sneakers exercise program, which is led by fitness instructors at Anytime Fitness. Seniors exercise at 8 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and at 10:15 a.m. on Saturdays. The program has a fee, but the individual senior’s HMO often pays it.

Marge Kavanagh is publishing an online newsletter for group members to keep them updated on activities, community events and planned day trips. One member, who is an artist, has submitted several designs for the T-shirts the seniors will soon be wearing. Members are also providing entries in a contest to officially name the group.

Following the informational time or meetings with experts on senior issues, the group spends the last hour of their get together enjoying refreshments and each other’s company. They also play cards or dominoes. On Thursday one table group was focused on learning how to bid bridge hands.

All seniors are welcome to attend the gatherings. “We are always happy to meet new people,” said Helen Brown, who helped get the group started.

For further information, contact Grandfield at [email protected] or (520) 423-9232.

If you go:

What: Maricopa Seniors
When: Second and fourth Thursdays each month, 9:15-11:15 a.m.
Where: Anytime Fitness, 20924 N. John Wayne Parkway (use back entrance)

Photos by Joyce Hollis