NIAGARA, Wis. — I have written two columns recently regarding the topic of joy. One pointed out that retirement afforded a tremendous opportunity for us to choose joy because we no longer were faced with the stresses associated with our jobs. The other discussed the importance of letting go of both physical and emotional baggage so that joy had room to enter our lives, and we could experience peace. This week, I want to discuss the concept of “collective effervescence” and the specific type of joy it brings to our lives that cannot be attained without interaction with other people. I came across this concept upon reading an essay written by Dr. Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist who is focused on how people find motivation and meaning in daily life. His essay, entitled “There’s a Specific Kind of Joy We’ve Been Missing,” addresses the loss of it during the COVID pandemic.

First, I must explain that I am an introvert to the bone. I require quiet in my life — a lot of it. As a student, I needed library quiet in order to study. While working, my most productive days were those without meetings, few phone calls, and minor interaction with co-workers. When my boys were at home, they soon found that mom was in much better spirits after work if she had some quiet kitchen time to herself while preparing supper. And my husband, who is exactly opposite in this category, has learned he has to first get my attention if he has any hope of me remembering what he is chattering about; I have a tendency to spend a lot of time lost in my own head. In fact, recently my husband made the observation, after noticing that I had once again chosen a framed photograph of a lone tree as the newest addition to our home décor, that “an introvert must live here.” We laughed, but he was so right!

So, when the pandemic first became a reality that required us to stay home away from crowds and anyone not a member of our immediate family, I was not at all uncomfortable. There were no “social demands” on my time, no interruptions to my day, and nothing to disturb the peace and tranquility I required. My husband and I found ways to stop getting on each other’s nerves by taking separate car rides or doing our own thing in different corners of our home. I spent some time a few days each week enjoying the Menominee River at Niagara’s boat landing. Life was just fine — I thought.

As the year wore on, however, more and more of the cultural activities we both enjoyed were cancelled. We missed the art shows, the summer theater, the music concerts, going out to dinner, and hosting friends for dinner at our home. We missed visiting our kids and other extended family. I got really tired of trying to participate in my book club on Zoom — those talking heads were just not the same without the in-person interaction. Life no longer felt like we were living it — we were just finding a way to exist within it. Even for an introvert, 2020 became difficult and lonely.

Dr. Grant addresses this feeling in his essay. He writes, “Most people view emotions as existing primarily or even exclusively in their heads. Happiness is considered a state of mind; melancholy is a potential warning sign of mental illness. But the reality is that emotions are inherently social: they’re woven through our interactions.” He continues, “Research has found that people laugh five times as often when they’re with others as when they’re alone. Even exchanging pleasantries with a stranger on a train is enough to spark joy … Peak happiness lies mostly in collective activity.”

He explained that the phrase “collective effervescence,” coined in the late twentieth century by a sociologist named Emile Durkheim, best describes this phenomenon. When groups of people gather together to share an experience — whether it is to enjoy a concert or art show, a wine dinner at a local restaurant, or in a group effort to accomplish a task — there is an energy produced that is simply nonexistent when experiencing the event alone. As Grant explains, “Collective effervescence is the synchrony you feel when you slide into rhythm with strangers on a dance floor, colleagues in a brainstorming session, cousins at a religious service, or teammates on a soccer field.” Obviously, throughout 2020, this phenomenon simply did not exist.

Before the pandemic, research into this phenomenon showed that three-quarters of our population found collective effervescence at least once each week and almost one-third found it at least on a daily basis. Wherever people gathered – from singing in choirs, to running races, to the quieter moments in coffee shops and yoga classes — joy was being experienced because of the presence of other people. Grant stated that “emotions are like contagious diseases: they can spread from person to person.” This, of course, refers to both negative and positive emotions. As the pandemic continued month after month filled with mind numbing statistics of deaths, business closures, and job loss those negative emotions spread to all of us as sure as the physical contamination of the virus itself.

Things are slowly returning to a pre-pandemic state. My husband and I, along with good friends, recently attended a concert at the Northern Sun Winery in Bark River and a wine dinner at a favorite local restaurant. It was great to get out amid groups of people again. Neither experience felt quite “the same,” but it was a start. More work needs to be done by everyone before we all feel as safe as we did before the pandemic began.

Our country prizes rugged individualism and individual freedoms. But freedom does not occur in a vacuum while disregarding the rights of others. As Grant stated in his essay, “Psychologists find that in cultures where people pursue happiness individually, they may actually become lonelier. But in cultures where they pursue happiness socially – through connecting, caring, and contributing – people appear to be more likely to gain well-being.”

Yes, as Americans we are all promised unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness by the Declaration of Independence. Grant concludes beautifully when he states, “If we want that pursuit to bring us bliss, it may be time to create a Declaration of Interdependence. You can feel depressed and anxious alone, but it’s rare to laugh alone or to love alone. Joy shared is joy sustained.” Amen!

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NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

Freeman’s has resumed small group activities. Visitation is currently being allowed twice weekly with screening and COVID-19 testing required before entering the building. All precautions are still being taken to protect residents. Everyone has adjusted to this new normal, however they are all looking forward to a great get-together when it is safe to do so.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.; puzzle time, 10 a.m.; bingorama, 1 p.m.

Monday: Crafts, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise. 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 1 and 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Catholic Mass (video), 9:30 a.m.; Ottawa picnic, 9:30 a.m.; book club, 10 a.m.; garden club, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Getting pretty, 9 a.m.; men’s club, 10 a.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Bowling, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; church video, 1:30 p.m.; happy hour, 2 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; karaoke, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Word packet/high rollers, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 11 a.m.; garden club, 2 p.m.

Manor Care

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Limited visitation has resumed for family and friends. Appointments must be made in advance by calling the center.

Maryhill Manor

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Scheduled visits are being allowed in the facility’s living room. Call ahead to reserve. The weekly Happy Hour and bingo have resumed for residents only.

Sunday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; coffee and “Jeopardy, 10:15; courtyard social/Yahtzee, 2 p.m.; Protestant service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion, 8:30 a.m.; Protestant service, 9 a.m.; you be the judge, 10:15; pamper and polish, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Men’s breakfast, 7 a.m.; rosary/communion, 8:30 a.m.; coffee and cookies and trivia, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion, 8:30 a.m.; church service, 9 a.m.; kick ball, 10:15 a.m.; monthly birthday party with entertainment, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; short stories, 10:15 a.m.; nickel jokereno, 2 p.m.

Friday: Bowling, 10:15 a.m.; happy hour and pretzels, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Spelling bee, 10:15 a.m.; courtyard trivia and ice cream, 2 p.m.

Golden Living Center

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

Visitation is allowed in designated areas only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Each visit is limited to 30 minutes and must be scheduled in advance. All visitors will be subject to health screening before entering the facility. Residents have resumed some small group activities.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; birthday party, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; root beer floats on the porch, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; crosswords, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

SENIOR CENTERS

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Now open for dine-in eating — serving at 11:30 a.m. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Beef stroganoff, noodles, carrots and broccoli-cauliflower salad.

Wednesday: Sloppy Joes, baked beans and coleslaw.

Thursday: Pork roast, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables and lettuce salad.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Now open for dine-in eating — serving at noon. Carry-out meals also are available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Baked chicken, sweet potatoes and green bean casserole.

Tuesday: Tater tot bake.

Wednesday: Night Meal – Stuffed shells, green beans and garlic bread.

Thursday: Stuffed shells.

Friday: Fish sticks, fried potatoes and mixed vegetables.

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

906-774-2256, ext. 230 or 235.

Home-delivered meals only — call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Cheese omelet, sausage links and hash browns.

Tuesday: Chicken cordon bleu casserole, California blend vegetables and pears.

Wednesday: Turkey club wrap, side salad, croutons and dressing.

Thursday: Smothered pork chop, mashed potatoes and carrots.

Friday: Lemon pepper fish, mixed vegetables and dinner roll.

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

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Now open for dine-in eating — call for serving times. Carry-out meals also are available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Fish sticks, French fries and peas.

Tuesday: Ham and Swiss sub sandwich, coleslaw and chips.

Wednesday: Italian pork bake, garlic bread, carrots and peas and salad.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Restrictions have lifted at some centers — see below. Menu for the week —

Monday: Cook’s choice — entrée, vegetable and fruit.

Tuesday: Sloppy Joes, western baked beans, pasta salad with vegetables and watermelon.

Wednesday: Liver and onions or chicken breast, cheesy potatoes, tomato salad and cookies.

Thursday: Butter beans with ham over potatoes, carrots, corn bread and fruit.

Friday: Fish, sweet potato chips, coleslaw, dark green salad and fruit.

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

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980 — RSVP for meal at 855-528-2372

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

RSVP for meal at 715-528-4261

Same as ADRC menu. Now open — serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday.

Tipler Town Hall

715-674-2320 – RSVP for meals

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

715-589-4491 – RSVP for meals

Same as ADRC menu. Now open — serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Pam Haluska

906-498-7735

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Now open for dine-in eating — serving at 11 a.m. Carry-out meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Hot shredded chicken, broccoli, roll and fruit.

Tuesday: Egg bake, biscuit, sausage and fruit.

Wednesday: Chicken salad, cottage cheese and fruit.

Thursday: Open face turkey, mashed potatoes, corn and dessert.

Norway Center

Director: Michelle DeSimone

906-563-8716

Now open for dine-in eating served restaurant style beginning at 11 a.m. Take-out meals will remain available for pick-up. Menu for the week —

Monday: Enchiladas, rice, refried beans and vegetable toppings.

Tuesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy and Brussel sprouts.

Wednesday: Two Meal Day. 11 a.m.: chef salad with ham, turkey and vegetables; 5 p.m.: barbecue ribs, mashed potatoes and gravy and vegetables.

Thursday: Pork chop, scalloped potatoes and island blend vegetables.

All meals include milk, juice, fruit, bread and dessert.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Now open for dine-in eating — call for serving times. Carry-out meals also available. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Italian chicken, sweet potatoes, peas and mixed fruit.

Wednesday: Roast beef enchilada, corn bread, carrots and pineapple.

Thursday: Fish sticks, macaroni and cheese, broccoli and peaches.

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