On Oct. 21, Senior Citizens of Marion County, Inc. will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a noon banquet at Marion Senior Center, 309 S. Third St., Marion.

All current and former board members will receive special invitations. All other senior citizens age 60 and older are invited to attend for a $5 fee. Registration will be required.

Special speakers Joyce Clark, the first Kansas Department on Elderly coordinator, and longtime director Noreen Weems will share memories.

A slide show will present a history of the organization and establishment of each of the 11 senior centers in Marion County.

A freewill offering will be taken to fund a college scholarship to be awarded to a high school senior in Marion County who plans to enter a field related to aging, such as medicine, social work, gerontology, psychology, or therapy.

Senior Citizens of Marion County, Inc., was established in 1960. It received a Ford Foundation grant to start the centers and provide services for those ages 60 and older. It now oversees and assists 11 senior centers, four of which serve noon meals five days a week.

The organization also oversees the Marion County Department on Aging, which provides other services, such as transportation, income tax preparation, and assistance in applying for federal programs serving senior citizens.

For more information, contact Gayla Ratzlaff at (620) 382-3580.