By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

Ali Conn Payne is the new director of the Columbiana Senior Center.

The 4,300-square-foot building at 101 Mildred Street features a welcome center, large multi-purpose room, men’s hobby room, women’s craft room, three bath rooms, offices, storage and outdoor patio.

The grand opening date has not been announced.

Conn grew up in Columbiana, the third of four daughters of Sara and the late Ronny Conn.

She graduated from Elvin Hill Elementary, Columbiana Middle and Shelby County High School, class of 1998.

She attended the University of Montevallo and graduated in 2002 with a degree in social work.

She is married to Chris Payne and they have two daughters, Caroline, age 8, and Josie, age 6, who attend Elvin Hill.

“The illness and death of my father changed me,” said Conn. “His last days changed the way I looked at life and the elderly. I never thought to work with seniors until Daddy died. I saw his illness never stopped him, and I saw his determination to live life to the fullest. I realized how precious life and time is.

“When I heard of this job, I knew I wanted it and put my resume in the same day,” she said. “I want to help empower our seniors. My goal is to help make their retirement years the best years of their lives. I want the Columbiana Senior Center to be a place where they can come, do all kinds of activities and be their home away from home.”

Mayor Stancil Handley offered Conn the position, and Aug. 1 was her first day.

The center will be open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with special events on weekends. Activities that Conn hopes to offer are: Dance lessons, exercise classes, quilting, sewing, meals, card games, parties and speakers.

Lunch is served Monday-Friday for $2, provided by M4A, Middle Alabama Agency on Aging. Conn also organizes Meals on Wheels.

Volunteers for the senior center and Meals on Wheels are needed as well as good furniture and accessories, holiday decorations, large lighted Christmas tree, games, cards, puzzles, paper products, office supplies, and eight round 60-inch tablecloths.

Please contact Conn at (205) 669-3696 and apayne@cityofcolumbiana.com if you have items to donate.