IRON MOUNTAIN — “Do you have any ‘Sweetest Day’ cards?” It was a couple weeks ago that I was asked this question, but when the lady who spoke the words in my shop looked at me, I had to shake my head. For a card shop, you’d think we’d have all the cards for all the days, but we didn’t have any for this particular occasion. Truth was, we only opened at the beginning of October, and as the day in question took place on the 20th, Hallmark hadn’t sent me any, thinking that we really wouldn’t have enough time to advertise and sell them, and realistically, they were right. I only had a few people ask me about the non-existent cards, but nevertheless, the question got me thinking about the meaning behind “Sweetest Day.”

According to an article on bustle.com, Sweetest Day is a day that was first celebrated in 1921, but became official in 1922. It is a day that is celebrated mostly in the Midwest, with Ohio purchasing the most Sweetest Day cards out of all the states, and while it is a day meant to celebrate love, it is different than Valentine’s Day because on Sweetest Day, you are supposed to celebrate anyone and everyone in your life that you love; it is not limited to romantic partners. If someone had asked me on that day what Sweetest Day was, I would’ve answered with the definition my husband has most often given, which is that Valentine’s Day is for the girl, and Sweetest Day is for the guy. Whenever his friends would get things from their girlfriend’s and wives on Sweetest Day, he would always poke fun at how I hadn’t given him anything. First, I’m a firm believer that Valentine’s is a day for both the partners in any relationship, and should be celebrated by both and with both, not for one and by one, but second, I always thought that we already had a day to celebrate love, so why did we need another?

Now that I know the true definition of Sweetest Day, I understand it a bit better, and I actually can find the validity in a day that is meant to celebrate absolutely anyone that you love, but I don’t think it’s advertised well enough as that being the real reason behind this love season. Even with my newfound knowledge on the subject, the fact that so many people have misconceptualized the holiday is more than likely due to the fact that in today’s society, every other day is a “special” day, or a “national” day, or a day that celebrates some obscure topic. For example, May 3 is “National Lumpy Rug Day,” in which people are encouraged to think twice before taking that dusty old shag for granted; national “Step in the puddle and splash your friends day” is Jan. 11; July 12 is “National Paper Bag Day,” and March 13 is “National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day.” I mean, come on — these are supposedly “national” days — what exactly is the point of them? Who decides that they are going to be “national days” in the first place, and why are they supposed to matter?

If I were to think about my life, and the most important days in it, I could probably count them on two hands, and I guarantee you, none of them were national. While colloquial holidays always hold special spots in my heart, the most important days of my life are ones that couldn’t ever happen again. June 25, the day I married my husband; May 17, the day I graduated from Purdue University; Mully and Mo’s officially opened its doors Sept. 25, and I officially became a big sister on Jan. 7. I became engaged on Dec. 3, and the day I left Ace Technical Charter High School was Oct. 18. In my life, there were so many other days that held importance, but whose dates are lost in my memory. I remember when I saw my dad cry for the first time, and I can remember when I was about 5 and my grandpa gave me my first driving lesson. I remember sitting in the hospital after my mom had had my baby sister, 10 years my junior, begging her to let me name her. I can remember searching for nightcrawlers with my brothers and dad under the leaves in our front yard, and I can still see my face in the mirror after I’d finished getting ready for my high school graduation.

In life, we don’t need days to be national for them to be special. The moments that have helped to shape and define us are more than just black ink typed onto a calendar. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for free tacos and donuts on those national days, but the actual mentionable days of my life hold more meaning than any made up holiday the world has deemed worthy. In an effort for society to make everything matter, everything seems slightly tainted, because too much of one thing is never a good thing. In a world where toothaches are celebrated nationally on Feb. 9, and people are supposed to “walk around things” on April 4, commit yourself to placing the true monumental days first and foremost in your mind, and refuse to get hung up on the materialistic nature of superficiality. Cherish all that is real and good, both past and present. Tell the people in your life you love them because you love them, not because the Hallmark Channel tells you to; the more you choose to live in the “national days” of your own making, the more memorable your journey will be. Live fearlessly, and before you know it, the celebrations of the past will become the anniversaries of your future.

——

Freeman Nursing Home

Kingsford

Scenes and sounds, 11:45 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

Sunday: Uno, 1 p.m.; dunking donuts, 2 p.m.; church, 2:15 p.m.

Monday: Pretty nails, 10 a.m.; brouhaha, 11 a.m.; library cart, 1:30 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; ice cream social, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Reminisce, 11 a.m.; Kentucky Derby, 2 p.m.; craft, 3 p.m.; laundry day, 4 p.m.; dinner theater, 5 p.m.

Wednesday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Reading buddy, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 11 a.m.; puppy visits, 1:30 p.m.; pokereno, 2 p.m.

Friday: What’s cooking, 11 a.m.; bunko, 1:15 p.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.; happy hour, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Meet and greet, 10:30 a.m.; Daily News, 11 a.m.; spinning records, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Iron County Medical Facility

Crystal Falls

Room visits, 1 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

Exercise, 11 a.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

Sunday: One to one church visitor, 8:30 to 11 a.m.; reminisce, 10 a.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.; Church of Christ, 3 p.m.

Monday: Crafts, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; Resident Council, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday: CF library, 9:30 a.m.; Book Club, 10 a.m.; Mass, 10 a.m.; Norway Senior Center, 10:30 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; senior scrappers, 1:30 to 3 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social, 10 a.m.; animal kingdom, 10 a.m.; DNR special presentation, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 p.m.

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

Friday: Cooking group for bazaar, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; bazaar setup, 1:30 p.m.; throwaway bingo, 2 p.m.; romance movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Price is Right, 10 a.m.; volleyball, 10 a.m.; Fall Harvest Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.

ManorCare

Kingsford

Wet your whistle, 9:30 a.m. daily.

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

Gathering place, 11:40 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 11:40 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Popcorn Day Fridays.

Protestant Church service, 3 p.m. Sunday.

Exercises, 10 a.m. daily.

Sunday: Just jokes, 10:15 p.m.; company’s coming room visits, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant church, 3 p.m.

Monday: Who, what, when?, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; pokeno, 5:45 p.m.

Tuesday: Who am I?, 10:15 a.m.; Wheel of Fortune, 2 p.m.; movie and a manicure, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Remembering when, 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: ABC game, 10:15 a.m.; Mass, 2 p.m.; chips n’ chatter, 2:30 p.m.

Saturday: Current events, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; movie, 3:15 p.m.

Maryhill Manor

Niagara, Wis.

Rosary, 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Parachute, 1:30 p.m. daily.

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

Weekend pet visits.

Sunday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; Mass, 9 a.m.; candy bingo, 10:15 a.m.; Penny Ante, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant service, 2:30 p.m.; christian fellowship, 5:30 p.m.

Monday: Crafts, 10:15 a.m.; help your neighbor, 2 p.m.; Baptist service, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Rummage bingo, 10 a.m.; Resident Council, 2 p.m.; concert, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Tongue twisters, 10:15 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Bible stories, 3 p.m.; bunco, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Mass, 9 a.m.; short stories, 10:15 a.m.; care package project, 2 p.m.; whammo, 6:15 p.m.

Friday: Exercise, 10:15 a.m.; trivia, 10:30 a.m.; happy hour, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Baking vanilla cupcakes, 10:15 a.m.; pamper and polish, 2 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 5:45 p.m.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

Exercise, 11 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Coffee clutch, 9:30 a.m. daily

Shopping days: 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, must sign up.

Sunday: Bible study, 1:30; Packers vs. Patriots, 7:20 p.m.

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

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

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

Thursday: Wheel of Fortune, 2 p.m.; Rosary, 3 p.m.

Friday: Birthday party, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Florence Health Services

Florence, Wis.

Morning news, 6 a.m. daily.

Sunday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; Uno, 2 p.m.; Packers vs. Patriots, 7 p.m.

Monday: Bingo with Bette, 10 a.m.; table top volley, 2 p.m.; doughnut party, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Chair exercise, 10 a.m.; making thankful tags, 2 p.m.; social hour, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Thankful tree, 10 a.m.; table top bowling, 2 p.m.; room visits, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Pastor Jason, 10 a.m.; manicures, 2 p.m.; one on one visits, 3:30 p.m.

Friday: Catholic church service, 10 a.m.; lunch out, 11 a.m.; travel party to Sweden by Valri, 2 p.m.; yogurt party, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; Flippo, 2 p.m.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

Life connections, 9:45 a.m. every Monday.

Busy bee, 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Rosary 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Sunday: Grace church, 10:15 a.m.; sensory, 10:30 a.m.; beauty shop, 2 p.m.; Phase 10, 3:30 p.m.

Monday: Song service, 1:30; rosary, 2:30 p.m.; bowling, 3:30 p.m.; Scrabble, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Baking group, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; Scattergories, 3:30 p.m.; Uno, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Casino outing, 10:30 a.m.; tea party, 10:30 a.m.; Steve Vivio, SCU, 1:30 p.m.; Steve Vivio, second, 2:15 p.m.; movie, 2 p.m.; one to one visits, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday: Chair Chi, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.; Sorry board game, 6 p.m.

Friday: Mass, 10:30 a.m.; crafts, 2 p.m.; fish fry outing, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday: Grace church, 10:15 a.m.; coffee social, 10:30 p.m.; mind joggers, 2 p.m. sensory, 3:30 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 noon every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

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.

Pasty sale every third Saturday of the month.

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 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday; volunteers and donations are welcome.

Birthdays acknowledged every day.

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

Crystal Falls Center

Head cook, Lucy Korhonen

906-875-6709

Meals will be served on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 5 p.m., with the salad bar opening at 4:30 p.m. The dinner donation is $5 for those age 60 and older and $6 for those younger than 60. There is a $1 charge for take-out containers. All are invited.

Cribbage will be played at 1 p.m. Wednesdays and be concluded in time for dinner.

Monday: Soup, salad, lasagna, garlic bread, and homemade dessert.

Tuesday: Soup, salad, Chop Suey, rice, and homemade dessert.

Wednesday: Soup, salad, roast chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, and homemade dessert.

The center is closed Thursday through Sunday.

A blood pressure reading can be taken by request at any time while the center is open.

Crystal Lake Center

906-774-5888

The center is closed on weekends.

Monday: Woodcarvers, 10 a.m.; mahjong in dining hall, noon; Les Artistes Art Club, noon; Bridge Club, 12:15 p.m.

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

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

Wednesday: Spinning Spools Quilters Guild, 1 p.m., crafters, scrap bookers and others also welcome; knitting and crocheting class, 1 to 3 p.m.

Friday: Smear, 12:30 p.m.

Last Saturday of the month: Music jam starting at 1 p.m. Admission is free.

The Photo Club meets 1 to 3 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month.

Evening meals are usually on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Salad bar opens at 4 p.m., with the meal served at 4:30 p.m. A donation of $4 is accepted for seniors age 60 and older but not required.

Home-delivered meals are for seniors 60 and older can be delivered seven days a week. Christine McMahon has information for all meals and can be reached at 906-774-2256 ext. 235.

For transportation rides call “Buzzin’ Around Town” at 906-282-0492. Rides are $3 for age 60 and older, and $3.50 for younger than 60. Call 906-282-0492 to schedule a ride.

Transportation is available from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

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

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

A congregate jigsaw puzzle is done daily.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Suggested donation for seniors older than 60 is $4 per meal. Residents younger than 60 must pay $7. Reservations and cancellations needed 48 hours in advance.

The ADRC can assist area seniors and those with disabilities with transportation Monday through Friday. Transportation reservation should be made with meal reservation.

Four senior dining locations are listed below:

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

Meal at noon 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.

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

Tipler Town Hall

715-674-2320

Serving lunch at noon on the second Thursday of the month.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

715-589-4491

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

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Pam Haluska

906-498-7735

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

Morning coffee is available daily.

Fifteen games of “fun bingo” are played each Tuesday and Friday, along with a 50-50 drawing.

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, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A treadmill also is available.

Friendly interaction with other crafters.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Meals served 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; a $4 donation is encouraged from those 60 and older, and a $5 payment is required from those younger than 60.

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

Christine McMahon has information for all meals and can be reached at 906-774-2256 ext. 235.

For transportation rides please call “Buzzin’ Around Town” at 906-282-0492. Rides are $3 for age 60 and older, and $3.50 for younger than 60.

Niagara Northwoods Senior Cafe and Center

Corrie Maule, meal site manager, 715-251-1603

Jill Anderson, senior center director, 715-251-4154

Noon meals served Monday through Thursday.

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

They welcome any senior groups that would like to use the meal site as a meeting place — join them for lunch and then stay for a meeting or social time.

Other activities are in the works — suggestions are always welcome.

Those who have not been at the meal site/senior center are invited to give it a try. Those who haven’t been here in a while are encouraged to come back.

Norway Center

Director: Susie Slining

906-563-8716

Monday through Thursday: Meals served at noon, with salad bar. Soup also is available at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Milk, juice, bread, fruit, tea, and coffee served daily. Meal donation is $5. Reservation for the meal should be made in advance.

Two special-themed meals take place each month, with bingo, prizes and a 50-50 drawing.

Two evening meals offered at 5 p.m. on the first Monday and third Wednesday of the month, with bingo, prizes and a 50-50.

If Norway-Vulcan are schools are closed due to snow days, so is the senior center. If the schools are on a two-hour delay, the center remains open.

Cards are played daily after the noon meal.

Craft and exercise classes: Mondays and Thursdays.

Ceramic and art classes: Wednesdays.

Puzzles always in the works.

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

Telephone reassurance is available for any senior who doesn’t get out much and would like a friendly daily phone check to see that all is well.

Sunday — Daylight savings time ends. Set your clocks back one hour.

Monday — Noon meal with tater tot casserole, mixed vegetables, salad bar, fruit, juice, and dessert.

Tuesday — Election day dinner at noon with meatballs, mashed potatoes, gravy, squash, soup, salad bar, fruit juice, dessert. Bingo and prizes with 50-50 available. Sign up early.

Tuesday — Election day; don’t forget to vote.

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

Saturday — Pasty sale; $5 each; all orders must be picked up by noon.

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. The local MMAP counselor can be reached at 1-800-803-7174, or dial 211.

Sagola Center

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.

A puzzle table is available to enjoy.

Volunteers are always welcome.