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Seven ways to embrace getting older

By Kirsten Nichols

Lifestyles

Correspondent

IRON MOUNTAIN — Focusing on the good parts of aging can help shift our thinking. Instead of feeling that the best years of your life are behind you, you can enjoy where you’re at and where you’ll continue to go.

Life experience makes older people less afraid to make mistakes and to use their brains more efficiently than younger people. While youth still has its perks, age is inevitable. Take the time to change your perspective on life and consider the following for way to feel inspired by the years to come.

1. Create Bonds: Maintaining a relationship and being close to at least one special person such as a family member or friend can help you feel loved and at peace. This is an easy way to remind ourselves that it’s what’s on the inside that matters and makes us feel important.

2. Making An Impact: If something means a lot to you, it’s a cause worthy of your support. The environment, children, animals, etc. Give yourself a sense of purpose and inspiration to do more by making a difference to someone or something.

3. Respect Yourself: Accepting our imperfections helps us become open to pleasure and enjoying what we can do rather than what we can’t. It’s important to stay healthy, including keeping up with doctor visits, getting screened for illnesses as suggested, and keep an eye on changes that happen to our bodies that could impact our wellness.

4. Create: Activities and projects that allow us to express ourselves provide us with a sense of self-fulfillment and emotional release. Painting, writing, building, or another creative project should challenge us and still be enjoyable.

5. Stay Active: Exercise helps to maintain flexibility and balance, which will prevent falls and allow us to keep up with daily activities. As you age, you’re more prone to illness. Healthy aging provides for a better quality of life.

6. Be Social: Commit to regular social activities, whether it be coffee gatherings, walks with friends, community groups, whatever interests you. Being socially active will help motivate you and add structure to your day.

7. Share Your Stories: Take pride in your experiences and share them with others. Passing down traditions can become a lost art since families are spread across the country. Seeing value in what you’ve done and what you know can help you build or begin a legacy.

It’s easy to fear aging, but it’s unavoidable. Embracing it, although challenging at times, would be the clearest path to making the most of the years that lie ahead of you.

——

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.; Bible study, 11 a.m.; Lunch/music, 11:45 a.m.; Bunko, 1 p.m.; Pet visits, 2 p.m.; Ice cream, 3 p.m.; Bingo, 6:45 p.m.

Tuesday: Valentine craft, 10 a.m.; Reminisce, 11 a.m.; Lunch/music, 11:45 a.m.; Popcorn, 12:30 p.m.; Puzzles, 1 p.m.; Kentucky Derby, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Room visits, 10 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.; Connect Four, 1 p.m.; Pokereno, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee social, 10:30 a.m.; Mass, 11 a.m.; Lunch/music, 11:45 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.; Happy hour, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Newspaper, 10:30 a.m.; Lunch/music, 11:45 a.m.; Parlor games, 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.; High rollers, 10 a.m.; Afternoon matinee with popcorn, 1:30 p.m.; Church of Christ, 3 p.m.

Monday: Memory books, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; Resident council, 10:30 a.m.; Exercise, 11 a.m.; Room visits, 1 p.m.; Bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Crystal Falls Library, 9:30 a.m.; Book Club, 10 a.m.; Mass 10 a.m.; Mystery ride, 1 p.m.; Current events, 2 p.m.; Action movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Trivia, 10 a.m.; Exercise, 11 a.m.; Room visits, 1 p.m.; Reminisce, 2 p.m.; Nite bingo, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; Bowling, 10 a.m.; Travel film, 1 p.m.; Christ United, 2 p.m.; Happy hour, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; Exercise, 11 a.m.; Room visits, 1 p.m.; Romance movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: You be the judge, 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: Super Bowl facts, 10:15 a.m.; Morsels and more, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Did you know?, 10:15 a.m.; Bingo, 2 p.m.; Po-ke-no, 5:45 p.m.

Tuesday:  Pet visits with Toby, 10:15 a.m.; Movie and a manicure, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Table talk, 10:15 a.m.; Valentine’s Day party with the Golden Throats, 2 p.m.; Flip five, 5:45 p.m.

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

Friday: ABC game, 10:15 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 2 p.m.; Chips n Chatter, 2:30 p.m.

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

Maryhill Manor

Niagara, Wis.

Sunday: Community service, 8:30 a.m.; Penny ante, 10:15 a.m.; Parachute, 1:30 p.m.; Bingo, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; Derby day, 10:15; Exercise, 1:30 p.m.; Yahtzee, 2 p.m.; Baptist service, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; Bingo, 10:15 a.m.; Parachute, 1:30 p.m.; Resident council, 2 p.m.; :Whammo, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; Snowman bowling, 10:15 a.m.; Exercise, 1:30 p.m.; Joker-eno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; Movie and popcorn, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; Scattegories, 10 a.m.; Parachute, 1:30 p.m.; Deal or no deal, 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: Social hour with snacks, 2:30 p.m.; Church of Christ service, 3 p.m.; Lawrence Welk, 4 p.m.; Super Bowl party with snacks, 5:30 p.m.

Monday: Smear, 10 a.m.; Exercise, 11:15 a.m.; Bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Catholic prayer service, 10 a.m.; Left, Right, Center game, 10:30 a.m.; Tenant council meeting, 1:15 p.m.; Come and enjoy fresh Orange Julius drinks, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Card and stamp store, 10:45 a.m.; Exercise, 11:15 a.m.; Jubilee shopping trip, 2 p.m.; Nite bingo at Medicare, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Seated aerobics, 10:30 a.m.; Therapeutic adult coloring, 10:45 a.m.; Christ United Methodist Church service, 2 p.m.; Cribbage, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Hot topics, 10 a.m.; Exercise, 11:15 a.m.; Happy hour, 4 p.m.

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

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

Exercise, Monday through Friday at 11 a.m.

Juice time, daily at 10 a.m.

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

Sunday: Bible study, 2:30 p.m.; Refreshments, 3 p.m.; Superbowl, 5:30 p.m.

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

Tuesday: Left, Right, Center, 2 p.m.; Refreshments, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 2 p.m.; Refreshments, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Crosswords, 2 p.m.; Refreshments, 3 p.m.

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

Saturday: Movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Golden Living Center

Florence, Wis.

Sunday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; Craft time, 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: Poker dice, 10 a.m.; Music by Jason, 2 p.m.; Coffee social, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Catholic Mass and rosary, 9:30 a.m.; Uno, 2 p.m.; Fitnessize, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Pastor Jason church service, 10 a.m.; Wii jeopardy, 2 p.m.; Room visits, 3 p.m.

Friday: Jackpot, 10 a.m.; Bowling, 2 p.m.; Movie night, 7 p.m.

Saturday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; Mingle and munch with trivia, 2 p.m.

Pinecrest Medical

Care Facility

Powers

Sunday: Grace church, 10 a.m.; Scrabble, 10 a.m.; Lutheran service, 2 p.m.; Aeromatherapy, 2 p.m.

Monday: Life connections, 9:45 a.m.; Spa music, 10:15 a.m.; Song service, 1:30 p.m.; Rosary, 2:30 p.m.; Trivia, 3:30 p.m.; Bowling, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Movie, 10 a.m.; Happy hour, 2 p.m.; Rummy, 2:30 p.m.; Decorating, 3:30 p.m.; Cards, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Cookout MPR, 11:30 a.m.; Jim Clement, 2 p.m.; Movie 3:30 p.m.

Thursday: Exercise, 10 a.m.; Hand Massage, 11:15 a.m.; Bingo, 1:45 p.m.; Cards, 4 p.m.; 1 to 1 visits, 6 p.m.

Friday: Mass, 10 a.m.; Bunco, 2 p.m.; North Central basketball game, 4 p.m.

Saturday: Rummy, 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. Reservations requested 24 hours in advance.

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 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Hostess on duty Monday through Friday.

Treats and coffee, 8:30 a.m. through 111:30 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 everyday.

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. Seating is limited, so make reservations early.

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 4:30 (a salad bar will be open at 4 p.m.). The dinner donation is $4 for those age 60 and over and $5 for those under age 60. All persons are invited. For reservations, call 906-875-6709. 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.

Crystal Lake Center

906-774-5888

The center is closed on the weekends.

The casino bus will no longer be running this season. It is expected to start running again in the spring or summer.

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 meal Feb. 7: Pork chops, stuffing, mashed potatoes, California blend vegetables.

Evening meal Feb. 21: Meatloaf, baked potato, carrots, desert.

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.

Please call for meal reservation.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County

715-528-4890

Director: Lori Friberg

The suggested donation for those ages 60 and older is $4. The meal cost for those under 60 is $7. You may also contact the ADRC to request a menu or resources at 1-855-528-2372.

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. Please call a day in advance before 12:30 p.m. to place a meal order 906-498-7735.

Morning coffee is available each day

Fifteen games of bingo are played each Tuesday and Friday.

Tuesday: Bingo, 12:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Cards played in the afternoon

Thursday: Rides to Escanaba during the day.

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.

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.

Bus trip to Iron Mountain is on the third Friday of the month.

Dance on the second Saturday of the month from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cover charge is $6.

Pancake Day is on the third Saturday of the month, 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

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.

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 means. (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.

Monday: Noon meal: spaghetti or polenta.

Monday: Evening meal at 5 p.m.: famous company chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, soup and salad bar, and dessert. Please make reservations early.

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: Connie Secrist

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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