IRON MOUNTAIN — When you’re a kid, everyone asks you what you want to be when you grow up. It’s a funny notion, asking children what they think they want to do with the rest of their lives, because often times adults don’t even know how to answer that question, but the mind of a child is purer, and so the answer is solely genuine. When I was growing up, I had multiple aspirations and life goals, all of which were opposite sides of the coin — I dreamt of owning my own business, working in a bank, teaching in France and the inner cities, being a journalist, writing a New York Times best selling novel, creating an interior design company — I always did want to live more lives than one lifetime can offer.

When Rob and I decided to move home, it was surprisingly more of his decision than mine. We had talked about how I wanted to raise a family here, but that moving would be a few years down the line after we got married, yet at the beginning of 2017, Rob said he wanted to move sooner, and so the house hunt began. He’s the one who found our home, which is a fact he’s incredibly proud of. While we made the decision to move together, and we prayed over whether or not it was the right course of action, at the time moving home earlier than scheduled was more for him than me, because I knew that the U.P. had limited teaching opportunities. In Chicago, my options were nearly limitless, and my offers were multiple, but placing teaching on the back burner so that Rob could focus on his career was a reality that I had to face when we signed on the dotted line. However, I underestimated how hard giving up teaching would be.

I kept myself busy, tutoring, writing for the paper, and working for my family’s company, but I felt a lack of direction that I hadn’t ever felt in my life before. While I never knew exactly what I wanted to do until my teaching career, I always had a goal. In high school, I turned the fact that I was bullied into an opportunity to build my resume, and so I became so involved that I never had time to breathe.

I changed colleges multiple times before finding Purdue, and my end goal was graduating with my dual degree, with honors, while working on the side. I also had my student teaching, and then, I started my career, which was also always changing and continuously presenting new ways to add to my experience. For my entire life, I’d always had a goal or achievement that I was working toward, and for the first time since I was 14, I moved home and suddenly had nothing to “attain.” I felt lost and in a state of limbo, because I was working but I wasn’t evolving.

The other day I was cleaning out one of my old hard drives and I found my final project that I had to do my senior year after my student teaching had come to a close. It was a 20 page, single spaced, essentially mini dissertation on my practicum that included reflections, lesson plans, narratives, and proof of learning, but what stuck out to me the most was my introduction. It read: “I never knew it was possible to care about 124 smart mouthed, incorrigible, brilliant 17-year olds so much. I used to underestimate the pure joy a nickname could bring, or the extreme frustration of a student not giving his all. I thought coming into this that maybe I wasn’t strong enough; maybe, like what most of the people around me said, I simply wasn’t cut out for the rigors of Chicago Public Schools. I was a small-town girl entering a completely city world, pushing the boundaries of my limits and potentially misjudging my skills. When I got here, in my nervousness, I chose to view Bronzeville Scholastic Institute as so many people do — in black and white. I limited my goals on first being able to break that barrier, but I was so incredibly wrong. These kids, my kids, aren’t just black. They’re athletes and dancers, NHS students, volunteers, musicians, sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles, hard workers, bookworms, college bound. They’re more than the color of their skin, neighborhood they come from, stereotypes that follow them; they’re scholars capable of so much more than anyone gives them credit, ready to fight social injustice and stand up for what they believe in. In teaching them, they taught me. It didn’t matter that I was white or that they were black. Caring about them; that’s what mattered — that’s what they needed, and because I told them at the beginning of every class period they knew that they were the best part of my day. In order to effectively teach them, I first had to love and respect them, not as high school kids, but as individuals. I had to see them for the people they are right now, and for the people they have the potential of becoming. Putting my heart into their personal success extended beyond any kind of racial, cultural, or social difference.”

As I read this, I was immediately taken back to when I was 23 years old and full of vigor. I’ve always felt a pressure to succeed, and I admit that pressure comes mostly from myself. I’ve been blessed with parents who have told me I am the only one who limits my potential, and family who supports me in anything I take on, but there has always been a small piece of my being that is desperate to prove the “haters” wrong. My parents supported my decision to teach in Chicago, but they were scared and thought I was underestimating the hardships that came with it. It was only after I was immersed in it that they understood it was what I was meant to do. Almost immediately after I found my old project, I received an email from a past student thanking me for all the extra help I gave her on her writing, and the one on one lessons we had on college readiness and professor expectations, because she knew exactly what she was doing and felt confident in her abilities. The coincidence was uncanny.

There is a song by Macklemore that goes, “I wish somebody would have told me, some day these will be the good old days. All the love, you won’t forget. All these reckless nights you won’t regret. Someday soon your whole life’s gonna change, and you’ll miss the magic of these good old days,” but as the song nears its end, he changes his tune and says, “Never thought we’d get old; maybe we’re still young. Maybe we always look back and think it was better than it was. Maybe these are the moments; maybe I’ve been missing what it’s about. Been scared of the future, thinking about the past while missing out now. We’ve come so far, I guess I’m proud, and I ain’t worried bout he wrinkles around my smile. I’ve got some scars; I’ve been around. I’ve felt some pain; I’ve seen some things, but I’m here now, in those good old days.”

Recently, I feel that I’ve had a similar epiphany to Macklemore at the end of his song. For me, moving home has had ups and downs. The lack of direction that I’ve felt in my life has caused me to look at my past and long for the “good ole days,” even though there was a lot of stress in those days that I no longer have. My passionate desire to better the minds of Chicago youth was something I believed in with every fiber of my being and so I fought for it every day. My kids gave me motivation, but the drive I had to teach them came from within me. The drive I had to prove my high school bullies wrong was my own; the drive to graduate from Purdue, move to Chicago alone, move back home for my husband, was all a monumental part of who I am. When I read my old college writing, I felt a pang of sadness because I don’t feel the power of “being the change” every day like I did then, but when I heard from my old student, it made me realize that while I’m not physically there anymore, the impact I desperately tried to make made its mark even after I was gone.

As Macklemore said, “I’m here now, in those good old days” — our good old days are not in the past — they’re in the present. Maybe I won’t ever teach again, but that doesn’t mean that I have to lose my passion. The stages of life are often hard and confusing, but the drive that makes you who you are is only dependent on the person you choose to be, and not the circumstances that are thrown your way. We weren’t born to just pay bills and die; we didn’t wake up today to be mediocre. Be fearlessly authentic, and know that you’re living in the good old days, but the good old days are far from over.

——

NURSING HOMES

Freeman

Kingsford

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

Sunday: Scenes and sounds, noon; Uno, 1 p.m.; dunking donuts, 2 p.m.; church, 2:15 p.m.

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

Tuesday: Crochet and craft, 10 a.m.; reminisce, 1:15 p.m.; Kentucky Derby, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; rosary, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Reading buddy, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 11 a.m.; what’s that word?, 1 p.m.; pokereno, 2 p.m.

Friday: What’s cooking?, 11 a.m.; bunco, 1:15 p.m.; jigsaw brain teaser, 2 p.m.; happy hour, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Meet and greet, 10:30 a.m.; spinning records, 11 a.m.; Daily News, 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 visitors, 8:30; room visits, 9 to 11 a.m.; Pictionary, 10 a.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.; Church of Christ, 3 p.m.

Monday: Memory books, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; book club, 10 a.m.; Mass, 10 a.m.; mystery ride, 1 p.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; mystery movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social, 10 a.m.; Travel Club, 10 a.m.; Wii fun, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; Presbyterian service, 2 p.m.; happy hour, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; monthly birthday party, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Word search, 10 a.m.; hangman, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 11 a.m.; intergenerational social hour, 2 p.m.; Card Club, 6 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: Earth Day fun, 10:15 a.m.; morsels and more, 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.; The Paula D Show, 2 p.m.; movie and a manicure, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Remembering when, 10:15 a.m.; Soundz of Time entertain, 2 p.m.; flip five, 5:45 p.m.

Thursday: Crosswords, 10:15 a.m.; Deal or No Deal bingo, 2 p.m.; crafts, 5:45 p.m.

Friday: Tree-mendous puzzles, 10:15 a.m.; pokeno, 2 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.; Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; bingo, 10:15 a.m.; bag toss, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant service, 2:30 p.m.; Christian fellowship, 5:30 p.m.

Monday: Nickel jokereno, 10:15 a.m.; Travel Club, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Bingo, 10:15 a.m.; Crystal Hogan entertains, 2 p.m.; sing-a-long, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday: You be the judge, 10:15 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; Jan and Gino, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; Stations of the Cross, 10 a.m.; Scattegories, 10:15 a.m.; Deal or No Deal, 2 p.m.; whammo, 6:15 p.m.

Friday: Rosary, 9:30 a.m.; yoga, 10 a.m.; happy hour, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Jokereno, 10:15 a.m.; pamper and polish, 2 p.m.; coffee social, 2 p.m.

Maryhill Manor,

Alzheimer’s Unit

Niagara, Wis.

Bread making, noon daily.

Chicken soup, communication program, 4 p.m. daily.

Sensory group, 6 p.m. daily.

Movie, 6:30 p.m. daily.

Sunday: Table ball, 9 a.m.; puzzles, 9:45 a.m.; Bible stories, 10:15 a.m.; sing-a-long, 12:15 p.m.; bowling, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; balloon ball, 3:30 p.m.

Monday: Table ball, 9 a.m.; spelling bee, 9:45 a.m.; Bible stories, 10:15 a.m.; old TV shows, 12:15 p.m.; Animal Kingdom, 1 p.m.; pamper and polish, 2 p.m.; kickball, 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Play dough molds, 9 a.m.; puzzles, 9:45 a.m.; table ball, 10:15 a.m.; sing-along, 12:15 p.m.; foot soaks, 1 p.m.; creative art, 2 p.m.; balloon ball, 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Play dough molds, 9 a.m.; spelling bee, 9:45 a.m.; coloring, 10:15 a.m.; old TV shows, 12:15 p.m.; through the years, 1 p.m.; pamper and polish, 2 p.m.; golf, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday: Table ball, 9 a.m.; puzzles, 9:45 a.m.; Bible stories, 10:15 a.m.; sing-a-long, 12:15 p.m.; foot soaks, 1 p.m.; men’s group, 2 p.m.; parachute, 3:30 p.m.

Friday: Play dough molds, 9 a.m.; spelling bee, 9:45 a.m.; coloring, 10:15 a.m.; old TV shows, 12:15 p.m.; creative art, 1 p.m.; happy hour/music and memory, 2 p.m.; kickball, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday: Table ball, 9 a.m.; puzzles, 9:45 a.m.; Bible stories, 10:15 a.m.; sing-along, 12:15 p.m.; foot soaks, 1 p.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; parachute, 3:30 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, 2:30 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

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

Tuesday: Birthday party, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

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

Thursday: Communion, 10 a.m.; Wheel of Fortune, 2 p.m.; Rosary, 3 p.m.

Friday: Bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.; dinner out, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday: Movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Florence Health Services

Florence, Wis.

Sunday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; matinee with popcorn, 2 p.m.

Monday: Sun catcher craft, 10 a.m.; bingo with Bette, 2 p.m.; room visits, 3:30 p.m.; Family Feud, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Balloon volleyball, 10 a.m.; Heidi the bunny visit with Valri, 2 p.m.; one on one time, 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Five card bingo, 10 a.m.; baking, 2 p.m.; room visits, 3:30 p.m.; music by Grace and Dave, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday: Lutheran service, 10 a.m.; music by Jan and Gino, 2 p.m.; reading short stories, 3:30 p.m.

Friday: Catholic communion service, 10 a.m.; storytelling, 2 p.m.; happy hour, 3:30 p.m.; movie night, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; Farkle dice, 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 a.m.; UNO, 10 a.m.; Lutheran service, 2 p.m.; sensory, 2 p.m.

Monday: Beauty shop, 10:30 a.m.; mind joggers, 3:30 p.m.; ball toss, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Baking group, 10 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; social circle, 3:30 p.m.; word puzzles, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Casino outing, 10 a.m.; ice cream social, 2 p.m.; Scrabble, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday: Manicures, 10 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.; book cart, 6 p.m.

Friday: Mass, 10 a.m.; sensory, 10:15 a.m.; Jerry Beauchamp, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Hang massage, 10 a.m.; life stories, 10 a.m.; one to one visits, 2 p.m.; manicures, 3 p.m.

Victorian Heights

Crystal Falls

906-874-1000

*Activities director out on leave. Call the home for additional information.

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.

Blood pressure and blood sugar testing every fourth Wednesday.

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.

The center is closed Thursday through Sunday.

Monday: Soup, salad, cookout barbecue chicken, baked beans, baked potatoes, and homemade dessert.

Tuesday: Soup, salad, liver and onions, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, and homemade dessert.

Wednesday: Soup, salad, cheese ravioli, meatballs, bread sticks, and homemade dessert.

A site council meeting takes place at 3 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month.

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.

Dances take place from 7 to 10 p.m. on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. Admission is $6; coffee 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. Suggested donation is $4 per meal. For information, call Chris Tramotin at 906-774-2256, ext. 235.

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

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.

Senior Dining Center-NWTC, Aurora

715-589-4491

Serving lunch at 11:30 am, Monday through Thursday

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.

DICSA operates all meals and transportation out of the Iron River Center. Rides are $2.50 donation for age 60 and older, and $3 required for younger than 60. Call 906-265-6134 to schedule a ride

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.

Wii games, cards, puzzles and board games are available to play.

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.

Tuesday — Earth Day dinner at noon with lasagna, winter blend vegetables, garlic bread, soup and salad bar, fruit, juice, and dessert. Bingo and prizes with 50/50 as well. Sign up early.

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.