NIAGARA, Wis. — My husband recently brought a quote to my attention because it was about a group of musicians with whom we were both familiar, and because it was about aging.

British singer Joe Elliott recently said, “As long as the Stones keep their hair and don’t get fat, they’ll get away with the wrinkles.” He was, of course, speaking of the well-known band The Rolling Stones, whose lined faces tell their age while they are still rocking up a storm.

The Stones began their career back in the 1960s and are still going strong with four of the five original members still contributing to their high-energy sound. Singer Mick Jagger is 80. Keith Richards, guitar and vocals, will soon be 80. Ronnie Wood, slide guitarist, is 76. Bill Wyman, bass player, is 87!

And Charlie Watts, drummer, remained active with the band until his death at age 80. They produced a new box set in 2021, toured Europe just last year and this year will produce a new album with Paul McCartney. Obviously, they show few signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Considering the lifestyle of a rock star, their continued success and high-energy career begs the question, “How can their longevity be possible?” I doubt they ate many vegetables, got enough sleep, or refrained from many other less-than-healthy lifestyle pursuits. Are there other key habits that produce longevity? Can we add years to our own lives by adopting those habits? The answers to the question of longevity may lie in the following thoughts.

First, the members of The Rolling Stones were doing exactly what they wanted to be doing with their lives. They all loved music from a young age, and they pursued their dreams.

When we are working at what we love, it doesn’t seem like work. We experience the joy of living our dream so there is little unhealthy stress involved. When I worked in public relations at our local hospital, I was doing exactly what I had hoped to be doing with my life and realized how fortunate I was every day I went to work. How many people can say that about their jobs?

I once interviewed the senior member of the medical staff, a family physician who had already been practicing medicine for decades. He said, “When you love what you do, you never work a day of your life.” He was the living example — along with the Stones — of why it is so important to follow your dream. And, by the way, he is still practicing medicine.

Second, and related to the first, we need to keep a challenging level of physical activity for as long as possible if we want to postpone old age. This doesn’t mean we need to continue to work at our jobs, but we can remain active in retirement. Whether we accomplish this through doing our own yard and house work or joining a gym to stay fit, we need to move our bodies.

We are going to be faced with physical challenges, and it feels good for a while to give into those aches and pains. But the more we ache, the more we want to sit, and the more we sit, the more we ache; it becomes a vicious cycle. Find a physical activity that keeps you moving no matter what physical challenges you face.

Third, keep your mind active. Keep yourself informed about what is going on in the world. Granted, the news is not always very pleasant to hear, but it is important for us to stay aware of it. While a routine in retirement is nice and comfortable, it is easy to get into a rut that doesn’t require a lot of thought. Break up your routine once in awhile by trying something new; by exposing yourself to a new experience.

Exercise the muscle between your ears by doing crossword puzzles and other word games. Keep in touch with family and friends, and pay attention to what they are doing and what is happening in their lives. Show an interest in their worlds. Join a service organization in which you have an interest; these types of groups are always looking for help and welcome new members.

A friend of mine explained to me that there were three stages to retirement: go-go; slow-go; and no-go. We are most active as soon as we retire — when we are busy exploring everything we did not have time for while we were working. Then we begin to slow down a bit as we settle into the slower pace retirement affords us.

Finally, we are content to stay close to home and enjoy the company of our friends and family. But at each stage, we are still actively participating in living life and engaging our brains as we do so.

As we age, one of life’s biggest challenges becomes to accept the fact that things change and that change is OK. It is just different, not wrong. Each generation is faced with new challenges and must create change in order to deal with them. For our generation, one of our biggest challenges was our sheer numbers. Classrooms were crowded. The job market had more people needing employment than there were jobs that needed them. Today’s generation of young people is much smaller, and employers have had to learn new business models that require fewer employees. The younger generation of today faces the prospects of climate change, among other challenges, and the urgency to turn that problem around. As the axiom goes, “Time and tide wait for no man”; the very passage of time brings change to which we need to adapt in order to survive and thrive.

Finally, as we get older it may become harder to accept differences in people. We are comfortable with the familiar; we like people who are more similar to us in their thinking. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the company of friends who are “on the same page” as we are.

But it is important that we recognize that there is more than one way to solve a problem and that the young people in today’s workforce face challenges that require new thinking and different solutions. We need to appreciate that new thinking and the younger people who are now responsible for fixing our world. They deserve our support and encouragement.

We certainly cannot all be rock stars in our old age — nor would most of us want to be. But we can continue to live our lives being passionate about something. We can certainly maintain a level of healthy physical activity along with a mind open to new concepts and ways of doing things.

We can remain engaged in our world and supportive of the next generation as they work to improve life on our planet — different as their approaches may be. In so doing, we adapt … and we survive.

As Spock of “Star Trek” was fond of saying: “Live long and prosper.”

——

NURSING HOMES/ SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

Group activities are ongoing. The center welcomes anyone who would like to entertain residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

Sunday: Church on TV, 10 a.m.; resident choice, 2 p.m.; throw darts, 6 p.m.

Monday: Daily report, 10 a.m.; rosary, 10 a.m.; room visits, 10 a.m.; music, 11:45 a.m.; gardening, 1 p.m.; coffee chatter, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Daily report, 10 a.m.; church with Lisa, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; “Family Feud,” 1:30 p.m.; reminisce, 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Daily report, 10 a.m.; crafts, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; farm animal day, 2 p.m.; movie and popcorn in the dining room, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Daily report, 10 a.m.; room visits, 10 a.m.; music, 11:45 a.m.; outdoors, 2 p.m.

Friday: Daily report, 10 a.m.; talk about aviation, 10 a.m.; room visits, 10:30 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Resident choice, 10 a.m.; horse racing with Ann, 2 p.m.; see the new activities board, 6 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; volleyball, 10 a.m.; chair exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.

Monday: Early bird bingo, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; two dips and an ice cream truck, 1 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2 p.m.; bonfire, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Book club, 10 a.m.; Catholic Mass 10 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; garden club, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Baking group, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; ice cream ride, 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, 9-10:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; throw away bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Puzzler/how do you feel? 10 a.m.; geri gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; western movie, 6 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

(formerly Manor Care /ProMedica)

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Visitors no longer need to call in advance.

Sunday: Morning mixer, 9:30 a.m.; Madison’s last day – goodbye visits, 11 a.m.; bowling, 1 p.m.

Monday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; chair yoga, 9:30 a.m.; manicures, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Bob Larson, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Leisure cart, 9 a.m.; devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; flip-o, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; the lowdown, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; First Lutheran Church service, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; stretch it out, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; patio ring toss, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Chips and chatter, 9 a.m.; reminiscing, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Morning mixer, 9:30 a.m.; manicures, 10:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; po-ke-no, 1 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Daily scheduled activities continue to be for residents only.

Sunday: Coffee and tic tac trivia, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; rummage bingo, 2 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; joker-eno, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; yard Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; resident council, 2 p.m.; bocce ball, 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 a.m.; kickball, 10 a.m.; courtyard campfire — s’mores, 2 p.m.; evening prayer, 5 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; ring toss, 2 p.m.; Bible study, 3 p.m.; music in the park, 6:30 p.m.

Friday: Uno, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Jim D., 2 p.m.

Saturday: Morning mingle/tic-tac trivia, 10 a.m.; courtyard games – bag toss/popsicles, 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 this time.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

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

Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; birthday party, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; music with Pastor Jim, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; Lutheran Bible study, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical

Care Facility

Powers

906- 497-5244

Sunday: Spa treatments/manicures, 10:30 a.m.; ice cream social, 2 p.m.

Monday: Outside social, 10:30 a.m.; crafts, 2 p.m.; Skipbo, 3:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Menu committee, 10:30 a.m.; resident council, 10:45 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.; sensory, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Fair outing

Thursday: Fair outing

Friday: Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; fish fry outing, 11:30 a.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Trivia, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

SENIOR CENTERS

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

The center at 415 Main St. is open four days a week, serving a soup and sandwich meal from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, fish fries from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays, pizzas from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday and dinner from 2 to 3 p.m. Sundays.

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Grilled chicken sandwich, broccoli salad, vegetables

Wednesday: Eggs, hashbrowns, sausage

Thursday: Hot hamburger, mashed potatoes, vegetables

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: Chicken Alfredo over noodles, chef’s choice vegetable

Tuesday: Sweet and sour pork, rice, peas

Wednesday: Sub sandwich, french fries

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans

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

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook: Sterling Peryam

Assistant Cook: Bitsy Peryam

906-875-6709

The center is now open on Mondays and 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 warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, 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 your phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week –

Monday: Chicken parmesan, garlic bread

Tuesday: Tacos, pinto beans, Mexican rice

Wednesday: Beef stew, dinner rolls

Home-delivered meals (prepared by DICSA – independent from above menu) —

Monday: Cheeseburger, baked beans, french fries

Tuesday: Chicken nachos, refried beans, fruit

Wednesday: Sloppy Joe, french fries, corn

Thursday: Biscuit and gravy, shredded hashbrowns, spiced fruit

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

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

This is a Meals on Wheels home-delivered program only – call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Cheeseburger, baked beans, french fries

Tuesday: Chicken nachos, refried beans, fruit

Wednesday: Sloppy Joe, french fries, corn

Thursday: Biscuit and gravy, shredded hashbrowns, spiced fruit

Friday: Meat ravioli, mixed vegetables, breadstick

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 —

— Monday: Les Artistes art club, noon to 4 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards – Pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m., cards 25 cents with 10 games played; Happy Quilters, 1 to 3 p.m.

Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.;

Friday: Cards — Smear, noon to 4 p.m.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Open for dine-in eating – call for serving times. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chef’s salad, breadsticks

Tuesday: Stuffed shells, California-blend vegetables, garlic bread

Wednesday: Barbecue ribs, baked beans, potato salad, fruit parfait

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Cheeseburger, baked beans, french fries

Tuesday: Chicken nachos, refried beans, fruit

Wednesday: Sloppy Joe, french fries, corn

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Menu for the week —

Monday: Swedish meatballs over noodles, green beans, side salad, fruit

Tuesday: Amish breakfast casserole, broccoli slaw, fruit salad

Wednesday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, dark green salad, fruit, birthday cake

Thursday: Mushroom Swiss burger, sweet potato fries, baked beans, fruit

Friday: Liver and onions or chicken breast, mashed potatoes, squash, 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 is available for those who are homebound.

Monday: Swiss chicken with mushrooms over rice, side salad, Brussel sprouts, fruit cup

Tuesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, fresh fruit, whole wheat bread

Wednesday: Cheeseburger, bun, tater tots, corn, pears

Thursday: Western egg bake, red oven potatoes, muffin, banana, tomato juice

Friday: Beef stew, biscuit, sweet potato wedges, fruit cup

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

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: Omelet, ham, applesauce

Tuesday: Sloppy Joe, beans, macaroni and cheese

Wednesday: Pork and noodles, cabbage, mini egg roll, applesauce

Thursday: Fish, potato wedges, cornbread, cabbage slaw

Niagara Senior Center/Café

715-251-1603

The center is open, with dinner served at noon on Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation is $5 for age 60 and older and $11 for those younger than 60.

Bingo played on most Wednesdays. Transportation is available.

Monday: Pork cutlet, parsley potatoes, mixed vegetables, brownie

Tuesday: Beef and macaroni hot dish, corn, whole wheat roll, fruit crisp

Wednesday: Hamburger on a bun, bacon-lettuce-tomato pasta salad, banana, cookie

Thursday: Baked fish, baked beans, hashbrown potatoes, mixed fruit, rye bread

Bingo will be played at the center on Mondays and Wednesdays this month.

Norway Center

Director: Joyce Olesky

Head Cook: Brian Gutkowski.

906-563-8716

Now open for dine-in eating beginning at 11:15 a.m. Salad bar available from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Takeout meals are 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: Sloppy Joes, tater barrels, vegetable

Tuesday: Chef salad with vegetables, meats, and egg, breadstick

Wednesday-Two Meal Day: 11 a.m. — salmon, tater tots, vegetable; 4 p.m. — barbeque ribs, mashed potatoes, vegetable

Thursday: Greek chicken wrap, sweet potato fries, vegetable

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

Board meeting on Thursday.

Feed America distribution on Thursday.

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 906-563-5587 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.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

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

Tuesday: Smoked sausage, cabbage, roasted potatoes, fruit

Wednesday: Pepper steak, rice, green beans

Thursday: Turkey pot pie, peas

All meals served with an option of milk, juice or no beverage.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Cheeseburger, baked beans, french fries

Tuesday: Chicken nachos, refried beans, fruit

Wednesday: Sloppy Joe, french fries, corn