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Pets provide an unbeatable amount of benefits

IRON MOUNTAIN — Have you heard that dogs are considered “man’s best friend?” Since dogs and humans tend to get along so well, many personality traits get shared between both of them. But it’s not only dogs that get along well with humans, pets in general make excellent companions. Pets improve overall health, mood, and quality of life-especially in seniors.

Regardless of your age, the friendship of a pet provides a special and irreplaceable companionship such as:

Giving you something to look forward to every day. Owning a pet will give a sense of belonging and meaning and will give you another reason for living while giving you something to look forward to each day. Pets do this easily by receiving love and returning it generously.

Pets are loyal and loving creatures through their entire lifetime. Owning a pet builds an immediate connection to that pet and quickly becomes friendship. Pets will never judge, make you feel needed, and live to love.

You also have a security system within dogs. A dog can act as a guard dog against intruders, regardless of size, their barking will scare potential intruders away. For seniors, especially those who live alone, the company that comes with a pet prevents loneliness.

Do you ever notice how pet owners are in a good mood and how you feel better when you’re with your pet?

Living with a pet can improve your outlook on life because it also affects the following:

Prevent or possibly treat depression and loneliness. Companionship can heal any loneliness you feel and will easily reduce depression. Pets provide loyalty and love, which makes such a big difference when you’re feeling down.

Pets can also significantly reduce stress levels and improve mood. Their presence during stressful situations can also be therapeutic. Petting an animal will relax you while being enjoyable for your pet.

Aging comes with loss, physical problems, and other hardships. A pet can help you focus on other things than medical problems or negative outcomes of aging.

he benefit of pets doesn’t stop with just psychological benefits, but also affect you physically as well. Living with a pet can improve your life by:

Encouraging physical activity and exercise. Dogs love going for walks and walking is a great way to easily achieve a recommended daily level of activity.

Lowering risk of heart disease. Exercise is directly related to lowering cholesterol, obesity, and blood pressure. Pets encourage us to exercise, directly lowering our risks of potential heart disease.

Aiding with disabilities. Service dogs can help those affected with daily activities. Dogs undergo special training to help with tasks that one may be limited to from a physical ailment.

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NURSING HOMES

Freeman

Kingsford

Sunday: Lunch/music, noon; Uno, 1 p.m.; coffee social, 2 p.m.; church, 2:15 p.m.

Monday: Pretty nails, 10 a.m.; library cart, 11 a.m.; lunch/music, 11:45 a.m.; brouhaha, 1 p.m.; pet visits, 2 p.m.; ice cream, 3 p.m.; bingo, 6:45 p.m.

Tuesday: Crafts and gardening, 10 a.m.; resident council, 11 a.m.; lunch/music, 11:45 a.m.; popcorn/puzzles, 1 p.m.; Kentucky derby, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Room visits, 10:30 a.m.; rosary, 11 a.m.; lunch/music, 11:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; movie, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Book club, 10 a.m.; bible study, 11 a.m.; lunch/music, 11:45 a.m.; back yard games, 1 p.m.; pokereno, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee social, 10:30 a.m.; what’s cooking, 11 a.m.; lunch/music, 11:45 a.m.; cards, 1 p.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.; happy hour, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Parlor games, 10:30 a.m.; lunch/music, 11:45 a.m.; newspaper, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Iron County

Medical Facility

Crystal Falls

Sunday: One to one church visitors, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.; room visits, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; reminisce, 10 a.m.; afternoon matinee with popcorn, 1:30 p.m.; Church of Christ, 3 p.m.

Monday: Crafts, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; resident council, 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; bonfire, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Crystal Falls library, 9:30 p.m.; book club, 10 a.m.; Mass, 10 a.m.; mystery ride, 1 p.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social and travel club, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; garden club and reminisce, 2 p.m.; nite bingo, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; Christ United Church, 2 p.m.; happy hour, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: ’70s dress day and crafts, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; ’70s party with music and treats, 2 p.m.; romance movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Price is Right and volleyball, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 11 a.m.; intergenerational social hour, 2 p.m.

ManorCare

Kingsford

Wet Your Whistle, 9:30 a.m. (daily).

Movie, 10:45 a.m. (daily) and again at 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Gathering place, 11:40 a.m. (daily), and at 4:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday).

Protestant Church service, Sunday, 3 p.m.

Exercises, 10 a.m. (daily).

Sunday: Just jokes, 10:15 a.m.; morsels and more, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Who, what, when, 10:15 a.m.; Bob Larson entertains, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: In the know, 10:15 a.m.; Wheel of Fortune, 2 p.m.; Movie and a manicure, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Table talk, 10:15 a.m.; bocce, 2 p.m.; Flip Five, 5:45 p.m.

Thursday: Crosswords, 10:15 a.m.; K bingo, 2 p.m.; crafts, 5:45 p.m.

Friday: Popcorn day; ABC game, 10:15 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Current events, 10:15 a.m.; Bingo, 2 p.m.

Maryhill Manor

Niagara, Wis.

Sunday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; bingo, 10:15 a.m.; parachute, 1:30 p.m.; courtyard social, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant service, 2:30 p.m.; nondenominational bible study, 5:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; Bob Larson, 10:15 a.m.; exercise, 1:30 p.m.; courtyard/gardening, 2 p.m.; Baptist service, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; bingo, 10:15 a.m.; parachute, 1:30 p.m.; help your neighbor, 2 p.m.; Just the 2 of Us, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; Deal or No Deal, 10:15 a.m.; exercise, 1:30 p.m.; Joker-eno, 2 p.m.; bon fire, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; Scattegories, 10:15 a.m.; parachute, 1:30 p.m.; derby day, 2 p.m.; Pictionary, 6:15 p.m.

Friday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; trivia and coffee, 10:15 a.m.; exercise, 1:30 p.m.; happy hour with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Joker-eno, 10:15 a.m.; parachute, 1:30 p.m.; pamper and polish coffee social, 2 p.m.

Monthly support group for grief and loss, second Monday of the month at 2 p.m.

Weekend pet visits.

Victorian Heights

Crystal Falls

Sunday: Sweet treat Sunday, 8 to 9 a.m.; social hour, 2:30 p.m.; Church of Christ service, 3 p.m.; Lawrence Welk show on PBS, 4 p.m.

Monday: Smear card game, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Catholic Mass service, 10 a.m.; tenant choice meal, noon; tenant council meeting, 1:15 p.m.; cribbage game, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Card and stamp store, 10:45 a.m.; exercise, 11:15 a.m.; come and enjoy coconut cream pie for resident’s birthdays, noon; Jubilee shopping trip, 2 p.m.; night bingo at Medicare, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Therapeutic adult coloring, 10:30 a.m.; Christ United Methodist church, 2 p.m.; ice cream ride, 2 p.m.

Friday: Come enjoy a caramel latte, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11:15 a.m.; happy hour, 4 p.m.

Saturday: Intergenerational social hour, 2 p.m.; Bingo, 2 p.m.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

Exercise, Monday through Friday at 11 a.m.

Juice pass, daily at 10 a.m.

Shopping days: Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m.

Sunday: Bible study, 1:30 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Monday: Smile a while, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Golden Throats, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Left, Center, Right, 2 p.m.; Rosary, 3 p.m.

Friday: Bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Florence Health Services

Florence, Wis.

Sunday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; bowling dice, 2 p.m.; social hour, 3:30 p.m.

Monday: Bible study with Dorothy and Wayne, 10 a.m.; bingo with Bette, 2 p.m.; room visits, 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Jeopardy, 10 a.m.; beaded vase crafts with Valri, 2 p.m.; trivia, 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Hearts dice, 10 a.m.; farkle, 2 p.m.; ice cream social, 3:30 p.m.; music by Grace and Dave, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday: Pastor Jason church service, 10 a.m.; Phase Ten dice, 2 p.m.; room visits, 3:30 p.m.

Friday: Catholic communion service, 10 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; social hour, 3:30 p.m.; movie night, 7 p.m.

Saturday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; mingle and munch, 2 p.m.; Trivia, 3:30 p.m.

Pinecrest

Powers

Sunday: Grace church, 10 a.m.; Scrabble, 10 a.m.; beauty shop, 2 p.m.; aromatherapy, 2 p.m.

Monday: Life Connections, 9:45 a.m.; ap music, 10:15 a.m.; busy bee, 12:30 p.m.; song service, 1:30 p.m.; rosary, 2:30 p.m.; trivia, 3:30 p.m.; bowling, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Say Yes to a Dress, 10 a.m.; busy bee, 12:30 p.m.; happy hour, 2 p.m.; decorating, 3:30 p.m.; cards, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Shopping outing, 10 a.m.; busy bee, 12:30 p.m.; outside social, 2 p.m.; movie, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday: Exercise, 10 a.m.; hand massage, 11:15 a.m.; busy bee, 12:30 p.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.; ball toss, 6 p.m.

Friday: Mass, 10 a.m.; busy bee, 12:30 p.m.; bunco, 2 p.m.; fish fry outing at Long Branch Saloon, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 10 a.m.; Pictionary, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; balloon toss, 2 p.m.

SENIOR CENTERS

Note: All centers ask for 24 hour advanced reservations for lunch. If you have meals delivered and will not be home, notify the center.

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

Meal every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at noon.

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Lunch at noon.

Bingo on Tuesdays.

Free meal drawing on Thursdays.

Breen Center

906-774-5110

Meals: Monday through Friday.

Cards and games available 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m.

Hostess on duty Monday through Friday.

Treats and coffee, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Center retail store is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; volunteers and donations are welcome.

Birthdays acknowledge every day.

Evening meals are held first and third Thursday of the month. Salad bar opens at 4 p.m. with dinner served at 5 p.m. Donations are $4 for those 60 and older and $5 for 60 and younger.

Blood pressure and blood sugar testing, every fourth Wednesday.

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook, Tracy West

906-875-6709

Meals will be served on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 5 p.m. (a salad bar will be open at 4:30 p.m.). The dinner donation is $5 for those age 60 and over and $6 for those under age 60. There is a take-out container charge of $1. All persons are invited. Cribbage will be played on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and be concluded in time for the dinner. Center is closed Thursday through Sunday. A site council meeting is held on the third Wednesday at 3 p.m. Blood pressure taken by request anytime the center is open.

June 14: Cook out with cheeseburgers and fries.

June 21: Cook out with shishkabobs over rice.

Crystal Lake Center

906-774-5888

The center is closed on the weekends.

Monday: Woodcarvers, 10 a.m.; Majong in dining hall, noon; Les Artistes Art Club, noon; Bridge Club, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday: Pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: Billiards, 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday: Spinning Spools Quilters Guild, noon; Crafters, scrap bookers, etc. also welcome; Knitting and crocheting class, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Camera Club, 6 p.m.

Friday: Smear, 12:30 p.m.

Last Saturday of the month: Music Jam starting at 1 p.m.

Evening meals have a salad bar beginning at 4 p.m. with the meal beginning at 4:30 p.m. A donation of $4 is accepted for seniors (60 plus), but not required. Those 59 and younger are required to pay $5.

Transportation is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call the center to book your ride.

Felch Center

Director: Norma Dixon

906-246-3559

Meals served Monday through Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.

Bingo on the first and third Wednesday of each month after lunch.

Congregate jigsaw puzzle done daily.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County

715-528-4890

Director: Lori Friberg

Three senior dining locations are listed below:

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

Meal at noon on Wednesdays only. Reservations are requested. Cribbage and cards are available.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

715-528-4261

Meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Reservations are requested.

Jigsaw puzzles, cards, cribbage, and board games are available. The coffee is always on.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

715-589-4491

Meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Reservations are requested. Jigsaw puzzles, cribbage, cards, and board games are available. The coffee is always on.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Pam Haluska

906-498-7735

Meal is Monday through Friday at noon. Suggested donation is $3 for those 60 and older and $7 for those under 60.

Morning coffee is available each day

Fifteen games of “Fun Bingo” are played each Tuesday and Friday along with 50/50.

Tuesday: Bingo, 12:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Cards played in the afternoon. Call ahead to see if a game will be going on.

Friday: Bingo, 12:45 p.m.

Monday through Friday: Walking in the gym from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A treadmill is also available.

June 14: Father’s Day dinner

June 19: Craft day, come and bring your own craft projects. It’s always nice to share ideas with people, relax, and have a cup of coffee.

June 20th (Tuesday): Foot clinic, nurse coming in to check your feet and clip your nails. She arrives approximately 9:30 a.m. Bring your own towel. Cost is $12. Call the center to register.

June 27: Monthly birthday dinner at noon, bratwurst on a bun, potato salad, baked beans, watermelon, and dessert. Bingo played after meal.

June 20: Speaker talking about Alzheimer’s at 11 a.m.

There will be exercise classes at the Hermansville Senior Center funded by the M&M Community Foundation. Classes will take place starting in May and ending July 1, and then start up again in the fall. Call the center for more information. Classes will take place two times a week; days and times to be announced.

Iron River Center

Directors: Katherine Bortolameolli and Brian Kassa

906-265-6134

Meals served Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; $4 (over 60) and $5 (under 60).

Evening meal is on Thursdays with a salad bar at 4 p.m. and dinner at 5 p.m.

Bingo is on Sundays at 2 p.m. (doors open at noon) and Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 1:15 p.m.

Cards are played on Thursdays, 1:15 p.m.

Wednesday: Iron River site council will be holding their monthly meeting at 4 p.m.

June 10: Music by Crossroads, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. $6 cover charge.

June 16: Iron Mountain trip, $12 per person.

June 17: Pancake day, 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Adults, $5, children under 12, $2.

Transportation is available Monday through Thursday with the bus running 8:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. $4 (over 60), $5 (under 60), $6 (wheelchair).

Bingo every Tuesday and Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Doors open at noon.

Salad bar with Thursday meal, 4 p.m. and dinner at 4:30 p.m.

Niagara Northwoods Senior Cafe and Center

Meal site manager: Corrie Maule 715-251-1603

Center director: Jill Anderson 715-251-4154

Noon meals served Monday through Thursday.

Transportation to the meal site from the Niagara area is offered.

Wii games, cards, puzzles, and board games available to play for your enjoyment.

Senior groups who would like to use our meal site as their meeting place may join us for lunch and stay to have their meeting or social time.

Salad bar is available June 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th.

June 8: LRC tournament.

June 15: ’50s and ’60s reunion.

June 26: Bingo.

Norway Center

Director: Susie Slining

906-563-8716

Monday through Thursday: Meals served at noon with salad bar. Soup is also available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. Please sign up early for meals. (Meal donation is $5.)

Milk, juice, bread, fruit, tea, and coffee served daily.

Two special theme noon meals each month with bingo, prizes, and 50/50.

Two evening meals (5 p.m.) on the first Monday and third Wednesday of the month with bingo, prizes, and 50/50.

Cards are played daily after the noon meal.

Craft and exercise classes: Mondays and Thursdays.

Ceramic and art classes: Wednesdays

Puzzles always worked on.

Wednesday: Noon meal: chicken fried rice, stir fry vegetables, fruit, juice, salad bar, and dessert.

Wednesday: 5 p.m. meal: barbeque ribs, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, soup, salad bar, and dessert. Bingo, prizes, and 50/50.

Thursday: Birthday club: have a birthday in May? Celebrate with us and join the birthday club. Cheese ravioli, marinara sauce, broccoli, fruit, juice, soup, salad bar, and birthday cake.

Monday: Noon meal: pork fried rice, peas and carrots, fruit, juice, salad bar, and dessert.

Monday: 5 p.m. meal: our famous company chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, soup, salad bar, dessert. Bingo, prizes, and 50/50. Please make your meal reservation early.

Tuesday: TEFAP food distribution 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Iron Mountain Senior Center.

Wednesday: Blood pressure clinic, 11 a.m. to noon.

June 12: Center board meeting at 10 a.m.

June 13: Father’s Day special dinner: lasagna, broccoli, break sticks, soup, salad bar, fruit, juice, and dessert. Bingo, prizes, and 50/50.

June 15: Birthday club: Serving beef stroganoff with birthday cake for dessert.

June 21: Blood pressure clinic, 11 a.m. to noon

June 21: Noon meal: goulash, carrots and onions, garlic bread, salad bar, and dessert.

June 21: 5 p.m. dinner: barbeque ribs, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, soup, salad bar, and dessert. Bingo, prizes, and 50/50.

June 27: Summertime special dinner: herb chicken, potato salad, tomato-cucumber salad, soup, salad bar, watermelon, juice, and dessert. Bingo, prizes, and 50/50.

Senior coloring class meets daily. All are welcome. Some materials will be provided.

Telephone reassurance is available. If you are a senior who doesn’t get out much and would like a friendly daily phone contact, the center will have someone check in to see that all is well.

Note: A CSFP food card (green card) is available to income-eligible seniors. Make an appointment to get signed up. File of Life packets available at the center.

Note: Ask about the Medicare Savings Program. This program helps people pay their Medicare part B premium. You may be eligible. Your local MMAP Counselor can be reached at 1-800-803-7174, or dial 211.

Center membership cards are available for $5 at the front desk.

Sagola Center

Director: Alyssa Runsat

906-542-3273

Meals: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11:45 a.m.

Cards: Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday.

Commodities every other month and quarterly commodities are every three months.

Puzzle table for all to enjoy.

Volunteers are always welcome.

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