NIAGARA, Wis. — Our memories of the Thanksgiving holiday, in addition to all of the wonderful food, include visits with extended family and the annual inventory of what each family member is thankful for as everyone gathers around the table. The depth of gratitude certainly depends upon the age and experience of each member of the family and can include anything from finding a new best friend, to a job promotion, to getting a good report from the doctor on this year’s annual exam. Most often, it is simply showing appreciation for this annual time of family and food.

But 2020 gave most of us a Thanksgiving like no other in recent memory. After nearly a full year of bad news about one thing after another — from the ravages of a worldwide pandemic, to a contentious election, to graphic reminders that racism is still a problem in our country, to the challenges of climate change — families could not even gather safely to help each other through the results of these challenges. We can all agree that 2020 is certainly a year we are most anxious to have end. But are there greater lessons to learn? Can we still find ways to be thankful by adjusting the lens through which we view the events of this past year?

My husband and I remember when news of the virus hit, and the world seemed to change overnight. We were in Green Bay with friends celebrating the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day holiday. We were staying at St. Brendan’s Inn and had tickets to an Irish concert at the Meyer Theater. The musicians played their hearts out, and the crowd cheered them on. And then they let us all know that “because of the pandemic” their tour had been cancelled and they would be returning to Ireland the following day. Life seemed to change overnight as bars and restaurants and hair salons closed, people lost their jobs, one event after another was cancelled, kids had to be home schooled, and everyone started hoarding toilet paper! And we all started arguing over “how serious was this anyway” and “I will not be forced to wear a face mask.” Our culture has not been the same since the invasion of this invisible foe.

But I believe there is still a silver lining to this pandemic because there has been no shortage of lessons learned from it. Business owners have become very creative in finding ways to continue to make a living. Restaurants and bars developed takeout programs, grocery stores began offering shopping services, schools developed virtual learning programs, neighbors in cities and small towns across our country found ways to use their talents to offer hope and help to people they did not even know. News reports showed out-of-work musicians in New York City providing violin concerts from their apartment balconies to anyone who could hear. Mask-wearing volunteers in cities across America helped distribute food as people drove by in their cars with trunks open in lines that stretched for miles. And the dedication and stamina of our health care workers continue to be on display as they work to contain a virus that does not want to be contained. The sheer grit, resilience, determination and courage of America has risen and we can be proud of — and thankful for –that.

Each of us, individually, have had to adjust to a different way of life on a smaller scale. Viewed individually, each of those adjustments does not seem to be that noteworthy. I learned to live with shaggy hair when salons were closed. I have saved more money because there simply is nothing to spend it on — no movies, no trips, no restaurant meals. I have gotten a lot more organized at home because I am not going anywhere but my own house. And my husband is a happy man, as I have been experimenting with new recipes. Through it all, we have learned to be more patient and more creative in how we use all the time we have on our hands. And we spend more time talking to each other because we are not socializing outside of our home.

This year saw one of the most contentious elections in the history of our country. About the only thing we could agree upon was there were far too many political television ads — and we all became much more thankful for the mute buttons on our remote controls! All kidding aside, Election 2020 was one of the ugliest in recent history, and the harsh divisions within our country were on display for the world to see. Congress fought much and accomplished little. The prevalence of “alternate news sources” muddied facts and complicated issues. Yet the fears of a “rigged” election and voting in person in the midst of a pandemic brought voters in record numbers to participate in the process that defines our democracy. We can be proud of ourselves for rising above the ugly politics and claiming our right to vote as citizens of this great country. And for all of the challenges to the process waged by the current administration, democracy prevailed. Our votes counted. Our voices were heard.

We watched in horror as a policeman put his knee on the neck of a black man in Minneapolis and collectively mourned the loss of another life as it was made painfully clear that our country, as great and full of promise as it is for many, does not provide that same promise to all. Racism is an ugly fact of life in America for far too many. Yet, there was something about the Black Lives Matter movement as it gained momentum after George Floyd lost his life at the hands of this particular police officer that struck a national chord. Our collective consciousness was raised in a manner we have not seen since the racial unrest and demonstrations of the 1960s. I am hopeful that as tragic as the incident was, it provided the jolt to our national conscience that is long overdue and that positive change will follow.

Finally, we watched with great sadness as forests burned continuously all over the western regions of our country. My sister and her husband have lived in Palmdale, California — the “high desert” outside of Los Angeles — for decades. This year marked the first time that they had to stay indoors due to poor air quality from the fires. And this year there were so many hurricanes we did not have enough letters in our alphabet to name them all; we actually started naming them using the Greek alphabet! We were continuously reminded that Mother Nature wins these battles. If we do not wake up and do something about climate change, our planet will be forever changed and beyond our help. This is a party to which we cannot afford to show up late.

I have to admit that I feel completely helpless in this battle. It is so fraught with economic issues and the politics connected to them that it is difficult to believe that the changes that are so very necessary will ever be made. The title of Al Gore’s book, “An Inconvenient Truth,” has never been more appropriate. Personally, the only gratitude I can find in this situation is for a much deeper and personal appreciation for where I live. I can still enjoy clean water and air. I can still find the great outdoors without having to travel far at all. I can appreciate the beauty of each season as it unfolds.

Yes, 2020 has been a most challenging year. Most of us will be relieved when it comes to an end, and we will long remember its undeniable place in our nation’s history. We may even go so far as to feel good for just getting through it. But for this year to reach its full potential, we

must never forget the lessons we have learned as a result of living through it. For those lessons have forever changed us as a people. In realizing and accepting that, we can apply our newfound knowledge to make the profound and much needed changes that must happen to keep history from repeating itself.

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NURSING HOMES

The usual senior living activity calendars and senior center menus are not being published to avoid confusion. Due to the coronavirus and the vulnerability of the elderly population, daily life in the senior living facilities and senior centers has changed dramatically.

All living facilities have closed their doors to public visitation, and the activity calendars have been modified to allow for one-to-one room visits only and individualized activities to keep residents engaged and active as much as possible while remaining within the health and safety guidelines provided by state health experts.

Group games are being substituted with individualized activities residents can do in their respective rooms. Staff are providing supplies as well as “overhead announcement bingo and trivia” games and “hallway games” that can be played in individual rooms or by sitting within individual room doorways.

YouTube and DVDs are being utilized to provide religious services. A big dose of gratitude and appreciation goes out to all senior care staff for their creativity, caring and perseverance through a difficult situation.

All senior centers also have been closed to any center-based activity. Until they reopen, no information is being published that talks about activities typically available at these centers. While some have reopened with limited seating, meals do continue to be delivered.

Some centers also are preparing meals to be picked up. Menus are printed below for those centers that are either preparing takeout or providing home-delivered meals. Questions can be directed to the individual centers at the numbers listed here.

SENIOR CENTERS

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

The Amasa Center is a curbside pick-up-only kitchen for now. Call ahead for Tuesdays through Thursdays. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Chop suey, rice and Mandarin orange salad.

Wednesday: Barbecue pork on a bun, baked beans and cucumber-onion salad.

Thursday: Pasties, mixed vegetables and coleslaw.

Note: All meals served with milk, bread and butter and fruit and dessert.

Breen Center

906-774-5110

Now open with limited seating from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Menu for the week —

Monday: Baked salmon, potatoes and mixed vegetables.

Tuesday: Beef stroganoff, buttered noodles and carrots.

Wednesday: Ham and turkey sub sandwich and cheesy broccoli soup.

Thursday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread and green beans.

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Crystal Falls Center

Head cook: Lucy Korhonen

906-875-6709

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-239-0278

Home-delivered meals only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Swedish meatballs, noodles and broccoli.

Tuesday: Cheeseburger macaroni, carrots, applesauce.

Wednesday: Chicken cordon bleu casserole and California blend vegetables.

Thursday: Spaghetti with meatballs, corn and breadstick.

Friday: Hot dog with bun and mustard packet, tater tots, baked beans, Jell-O cup.

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.

For more information, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Now open with limited seating from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. Menu for the week —

Monday: Stir fry, rice and carrots.

Tuesday: Barbecued beef, salad and potatoes.

Wednesday: Chicken pot pie, corn bread and fried apples.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Home-delivered meals only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Toasted ham and cheese sandwich with lettuce and tomato, tomato soup, carrot sticks and fruit.

Tuesday: Home made pizza, dark green salad, fruit.

Wednesday: Italian sausage and spaghetti, breadsticks, green beans, fruit, peppermint hot chocolate, Rice Krispy treats.

Thursday: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, scalloped corn and fruit.

Friday: Beef tips and mushrooms over noodles, butter beans and fruit.

Note: All meals served with whole grain bread and butter and milk.

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

For meal reservations, call 855-528-2372

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

For meal reservations, call 715-528-4261

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Tipler Town Hall

For meal reservations, call 715-674-2320

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

For meal reservations, call 715-589-4491

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Pam Haluska

906-498-7735

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Niagara Northwoods Senior Cafe and Center

Meal site manager: Corrie Maule, 715-251-1603

Senior center director: Jill Anderson, 715-251- 4154

Norway Center

Director: Susie Slining

906-563-8716

The center will remain closed; however, takeout meals will be prepared for pick up — those picking up must call ahead and wear a mask. Menu for the week —

Monday: Salmon, cheesy potatoes, peas and carrots, fruit, juice and dessert.

Tuesday: Spaghetti or polenta, green beans, garlic bread, fruit, juice and dessert.

Wednesday: Polish sausage, sauerkraut, red potatoes, squash, fruit, juice and dessert.

Thursday: Chicken Divan, broccoli, fruit, juice and dessert.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Now open with limited seating from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Polish sausage, gnocchi or potato and mixed vegetables.

Wednesday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, green beans and salad.

Thursday: Omelet and bacon, hash browns and yogurt.

All meals served with fruit and choice of skim milk or juice.