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NIAGARA, Wis. -- Our summer is waning, which means Labor Day is right around the corner. Now more than ever we appreciate our skilled labor as well as any employee from restaurant workers, to factory line workers, to transportation workers. They keep our country running and our economy humming. We now know what labor shortages mean for our country for we are dealing with them on a daily basis. So, this year, Labor Day has greater significance. More than a well-deserved day off, it honors the men and women who keep our country productive and profitable.
The labor movement, with its resulting formation of labor unions, has a long and storied history in our country, which is also a violent one. It was born from the hardships faced by the workers. In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution when our country moved from a primarily agrarian and craft-based society, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Often, housing was tied to the workers' continued employment. Loss of a job meant loss of housing as well. Despite restrictions in some states, children as young as five or six toiled in mills, factories and mines across the country and earned a fraction of their adult counterparts' wages. People of all ages, particularly the very poor and recent immigrants, often faced extremely unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities and breaks. Consequently, labor unions grew more prominent and vocal. They began organizing strikes and rallies to protest poor conditions and compel employers to renegotiate hours and pay.
One does not have to look too far from home to understand the need for labor unions in the face of the ill treatment of workers. I recently read a very interesting book that chronicled the attempt to unionize the laborers in the Calumet-Hecla Mine, which culminated in the Italian Hall fire that killed dozens of children during a Christmas party. It is a well-known part of the fight between the mine owners, their managers and the workers that ended the struggle to unionize. The mine eventually failed as workers left the area to work in Henry Ford's factories in Detroit.
In more recent decades, labor unions experienced a decline in membership and effectiveness. I can remember working for a local construction company when we first moved to this area. One of my co-workers in the front office remarked that unions really were not necessary any longer because working conditions were now safe and wages were more fair. I also remember thinking how naive she was; once union popularity fell by the wayside, the old unfairness and unreasonable expectations would soon return.
I recently read another book titled "Nomadland" written by Jessica Bruder and made into a movie starring Frances McDormand. It tells the stories of people my age who are still working and travelling the country to find jobs wherever they can. They work in Amazon warehouses where they walk over 10 miles on concrete floors every shift or in the beet warehouses in North Dakota in freezing temperatures. Conditions do indeed still exist that require labor unions to help alleviate.
From my own personal experience, I think it is good for anyone to work a night shift in a factory. I know I have shared my own experiences with working third shift in a frozen food plant in Appleton and in a Green Giant bean plant in Beaver Dam during our "survival job" years. I signed up for second shift at the bean plant thinking it was the standard three in the afternoon to 11 at night period. Wrong. Second shift at the bean plant depended upon when the crops were ready for harvest. A typical second shift usually began in late afternoon -- I listened to the radio to find out when I had to report -- to whenever the last truck of beans was delivered from the fields for the night. The nights were long and tiring as I collected cans of beans from each group of pallets, weighed them and took their temperature to be sure they were not over processed. Such was "quality control" back then.
Young people today have learned that unions are still necessary. This past Sunday, I watched an episode on "CBS Sunday Morning" that talked about the rise in union activity once again. Workers in an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island, N.Y. and baristas employed by Starbucks have recently successfully organized for better working conditions, safer work areas, and fair pay. Workers in technology companies will soon follow suit. It is refreshing to see that laborers today have more leverage because there are fewer of them. The "baby boom" of which we were all a part is over -- we are retired now -- and the generation following us is much smaller.
Despite their smaller numbers and greater leverage, today's workers face challenges we never experienced. The biggest challenge comes from the movement of work that was once performed in this country to countries overseas, often at wage levels far below the American standards. Multinational corporations have moved operations around the globe as if it was a mammoth chessboard. We all experienced the results of this during the COVID pandemic when we could not obtain desperately needed personal protective equipment because we did not make it in our own country. We continue to experience shortages in computer chip production for the same reason so car lots are crying for cars to sell. As consumers we are not used to the long waits for home appliances for the same reason.
In this past century, American labor has played a central role in the elevation of the American standard of living. The benefits, which unions have negotiated for their members are, in most cases, widespread in the economy and enjoyed by millions of us outside the labor movement. It is often hard to remember that what we take for granted -- vacations with pay, pensions, health and welfare protection, grievance and arbitration procedures, holidays -- never existed on any meaningful scale until unions fought and won them for working people.
So, hats off to the American labor force this Labor Day. Thank you… and keep up the good fight!
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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.
Sunday: Finish the song title, 10 a.m.; word search, 2 p.m.; "Antiques Roadshow," 6 p.m.
Monday: Coffee and news, 10 a.m.; lunch trivia, 11:45 a.m.; shut the box, 2 p.m.; room visits, 3 p.m.
Tuesday: Coffee and news, 10 a.m.; music, 11:45 a.m.; dart toss, 2 p.m.; find the items, 3 p.m.
Wednesday: Coffee and news, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; lucky 7, 2 p.m.; news flash, 3 p.m.
Thursday: Resident Council meeting, 10 a.m.; music, 11:45 a.m.; happy hour, 1:30 p.m.
Friday: Coffee chatter, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 1:30 p.m.
Saturday: Hallway decorating, 10 a.m.; coloring, 2 p.m.; ice cream with staff, 3 p.m.
Iron County Medical Care Facility
Crystal Falls
906-874-1501
Sunday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; puzzle time, 10 a.m.; chair exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.
Monday: Cooking, 9 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; DT luncheon, 12 p.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; bonfire, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday: Book club, 10 a.m.; Catholic Mass (video), 10 a.m.; mystery ride/wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; garden club/reminisce, 2 p.m.; western movie, 6 p.m.
Wednesday: Coffee social/high rollers 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 p.m.
Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; happy hour, 2 p.m.
Friday: Crafts, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; courtyard races, 2 p.m.; Activity Council, 3 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.
Saturday: Room-to-room bingo/room visits, 9 a.m.; story telling, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 11 a.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.
ProMedica (formerly Manor Care)
Kingsford
906-774-4805
The center is now open for visitation. There is no longer a need to call in advance of your visit.
Sunday: Donut social, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Flip-O, 1 p.m.; movie in the lobby, 2 p.m.
Monday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; devotional, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; leisure cart, 3 p.m.
Tuesday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; chair yoga, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; ice cream cone social, 2 p.m.; leisure cart, 3 p.m.
Wednesday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; manicures, 10 a.m.; Flip-O, 2 p.m.; movie in the lobby, 3 p.m.
Thursday: No information available.
Friday: No information available.
Saturday: No information available.
Maryhill Manor Nursing Home
Niagara, Wis.
715-251-3172
Visitation is allowed as long as all infection control guidelines are followed, including wearing a mask, washing hands and social distancing. Daily scheduled activities continue to be for residents only.
Sunday: '80's trivia, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; rummage bingo, 2 p.m.
Monday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; help your neighbor, 10 a.m.; pamper and polish, 2 p.m.
Tuesday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; prayer service, 9:30 a.m.; Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.
Wednesday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; devotionals, 10 a.m.; court yard camp fire, 2 p.m.; evening prayer, 6 p.m.
Thursday: Travel Club, Sweden, 10 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 1 p.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.
Friday: Rummy, 10 a.m.; happy hour with entertainment by Jim D., 2 p.m.
Saturday: Movie trivia, 10 a.m.; tailgate party, 2 p.m.
Florence Health Services
Florence, Wis.
715-528-4833
Visitation is allowed seven days a week in designated areas only. 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. There are no group activities at the present time.
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.; bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.
Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; craft class, 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.; Lutheran Bible study, 1 p.m.; left-center-right, 2 p.m.
Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; birthday party, 1:30 p.m.
Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; games and popcorn, 2 p.m.
Pinecrest Medical
Care Facility
Powers
906-497-5244
Sunday: Karaoke, 10:30 a.m.; Phase 10, 2 p.m.
Monday: Movie, 10:30 a.m.; happy hour, 2 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.
Tuesday: Bus ride, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.; room visits, 6 p.m.
Wednesday: Breakfast outing, 8 a.m.; "Family Feud," 2 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.; room visits, 6 p.m.
Thursday: No information available.
Friday: No Information available.
Saturday: No information available.
SENIOR CENTERS
Alpha-Mastodon Center
906-875-3315
Amasa Center
906-822-7284
This center remains open. The only change is that the Iron River Center will cook and deliver the meals each week.
Tuesday: Mushroom Swiss burger, potato wedges, carrots, fruit and milk.
Wednesday: Chili, cornbread, cheese stick, dessert and milk.
Thursday: Brat on a bun, dirty rice, corn, dessert and milk.
Breen Center
Kingsford
906-774-5110
Now open for dine-in eating Monday through Thursday -- serving at noon. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Menu for the week --
Monday: Chili and grilled cheese sandwich.
Tuesday: Hamburger patties with mashed potatoes and gravy and broccoli.
Wednesday: Swedish meatballs, noodles and carrots.
Thursday: Chicken Alfredo, noodles and vegetable blend.
Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.
Crystal Falls Center
Head Cook: Sterling Peryam
Assistant Cook: Rocky Scarlassara
906-875-6709
The center is now open and is once again serving meals for dine-in or takeout -- call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or to place an order. All food is purchased from local vendors. All dinners include salad bar, homemade desserts, coffee, tea, or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. -- call ahead and leave a message with phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week --
Tuesday: Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes.
Wednesday: Baked ham with sweet potatoes and oven brown potatoes.
Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency
Iron Mountain
906-774-2256 ext. 230 or 235.
Home delivered meals only -- call to make arrangements. Friday meals will be delivered on Wednesdays. Menu for the week --
Monday: Ham, sweet potatoes and green bean casserole.
Tuesday: Smothered chicken, hash browns, peas and carrots.
Wednesday: Lasagna, garlic bread, cauliflower with cheese.
Thursday: Pancakes, syrup, sausage, spiced applesauce.
Friday: Tuna salad sandwich, potato chips, string cheese and treat.
Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.
For more information, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256.
Crystal Lake Center
Iron Mountain
906-828-1776
Schedule for the week is:
Monday: Spinning spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Les Artistes' art club, noon to 4 p.m.; woodcarvers, noon to 4 p.m.
Tuesday: Cards -- Pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.
Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 4 p.m. Card cost is 25 cents per card, 10 games are played.
Thursday: Cards -- Pinochle, noon to 4 p.m.
Friday: Cards -- Smear, noon to 4 p.m.
Felch Center
906-246-3559
Now open for dine-in eating -- call for serving times. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week --
Monday: Shrimp, pasta and peas.
Tuesday: Beef stew, corn bread and salad.
Wednesday: Manicotti, garlic bread and winter blend vegetables.
Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.
Aging and Disability Resource Center
Florence County, Wis.
715-528-4890
Director: Tiffany White
Menu for the week --
Monday: Goulash, dark green salad, bread sticks and fruit.
Tuesday: Taco tater tot casserole, refried beans and fruit.
Wednesday: Smothered pork chop, baked potato, spinach salad, fruit, pie and ice cream.
Thursday: Beef stew with vegetables, biscuits, fruit and pumpkin bars.
Friday: Hamburger stroganoff with mushrooms over noodles, broccoli 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, served at noon on Wednesday only.
Florence Community Center/Town Hall
RSVP for meal at 715-528-4261
Same as ADRC menu. Open Monday through Thursday serving at 11:30 a.m.
Tipler Town Hall
RSVP for meals at 715-674-2320
Same as ADRC menu, served at noon on second Thursday only.
Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora
RSVP for meals at 715-589-4491
Same as ADRC menu. Now open, served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.
Hermansville Center
Coordinator: Barb Peters
906-498-7735
Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals-On-Wheels program for those who are homebound is available.
Contact the center for weekly menus.
Iron River Center
906-265-6134
Now open for dine-in eating -- serving at 11 a.m. -- salad bar available. No night meals. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week --
Monday: Broccoli cheese soup, crackers, ham and cheese sandwich, side salad, fruit and milk.
Tuesday: Mushroom Swiss burger, potato wedges, carrots, fruit and milk.
Wednesday: Chili, cornbread, cheese stick, dessert and milk.
Thursday: Brat on a bun, dirty rice, corn, dessert and milk.
Niagara Senior Center/Café
715-251-1603
The center is open, and dinner is served at noon on Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required a day in advance. Suggested donation is $4.50 for those older than 60 and $7 for 60 or younger. Bingo played on Wednesdays. Transportation is available.
Monday: Sweet and sour pork, rice, Oriental blend vegetables and cake.
Tuesday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables and pie.
Wednesday: Pasty, side salad, pickles and cookie
Thursday: Cream of potato soup, croissant sandwich, chips and dessert bar.
Norway Center
Director: Joyce Oleksy
Head Cook: Brian Gutkowski
906-563-8716
Now open for dine-in eating served restaurant style beginning at 11:15 a.m. Salad bar available from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Takeout meals will remain available for pick-up from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Let staff know if planning to dine in or pick up. Menu for the week --
Monday: Turkey burger, potato wedges and cheesy cauliflower.
Tuesday: Spaghetti or polenta, bread stick and broccoli.
Wednesday: Finnish pancake, sausage, hashbrowns and strawberries.
Thursday: Breakfast bake with sausage and hashbrowns on the side.
All meals include milk, juice, fruit, bread and dessert.
Center activity schedule:
Mondays and Thursdays -- Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.
Monday through Thursday -- Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 563-5587 for information.
Tuesdays -- Quilting and sewing.
Wednesdays -- Ceramics and crocheting.
Last Monday of each month -- Book Club at 9 a.m.
Second Thursday of each month -- Birthdays and bingo.
Board meets on Thursday at 1 p.m.
Sagola Center
906-542-3273
Now open for dine-in eating -- call for serving times. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week --
Tuesday: Pork stir fry, rice, Oriental vegetables and peaches.
Wednesday: Chicken parmesan with marinara sauce, noodles, peas, garlic bread and peaches.
Thursday: Breaded pork chop, mashed potatoes, Brussel sprouts and applesauce
All meals served with an option of milk, juice or no beverage.