NIAGARA, Wis. — How often have we been told not to wallow in our past with its mistakes and disappointments? The past is over, and there is nothing more we can do about it so we are advised to just let it go. Just as often, we hear we should not worry about the future. It has not yet arrived, and it will most likely be out of our control. Most often we are advised to live in the present, the here and now, where life is being lived all around us. We need to participate in our present for soon it will be “over” and we will have lost that optimum moment when we can make a difference. Goodness, such pressure! I, for one, believe that our hearts and minds have room for it all: the past, the present and the future. We can gain both enjoyment and benefit from spending time in each.

At this more advanced stage of our lives, there is a great deal of enjoyment to be had walking down Memory Lane as our past becomes sweeter with each passing year. My husband and I enjoy our memories — all of them — the good, the bad and the ugly. We still laugh at how we met. It was such a fluke because we lived 40 miles apart. By chance we arrived at the same teen bar in Oshkosh; he only asked me to dance because I was taller than my girlfriend — and then was at my elbow the rest of the evening talking non-stop. If you know my husband at all, you will not be surprised by this fact! We remember our wedding and the birth of our two sons. We enjoy remembering anniversary celebrations; no matter how tight the budget, we always celebrated that milestone and have continued that tradition for over 50 years.

Remembering all of the stages of our life together also makes us very proud at how far we have come from a one-bedroom apartment in Neenah, Wis., to our renovated home in Niagara. After moving six times in the first seven years of our marriage, we decided to put down roots. Of course, that decision was also made based upon the fact that we could not answer our oldest son’s question — at the age of 5 — as to the location of his “home town.” We realized in that moment that we had not as yet given our boys a permanent location they could identify as home! So, we stayed … in the first house we ever bought — a 1928, story-and-a-half, major fixer-upper! Today, the only thing that has remained the same about our home is its address.

Of course, not all memories are pleasant. Memories of the job hunts, the moves, the first year of living “up north”— one mile into the woods in Pembine — are all burned indelibly into our brains. Little boys who ran around the neighborhood until dusk grow up into independence-seeking teens wanting the family car — for a while. And then they mature into caring young men with families of their own. If we only allowed ourselves to spend time in the present, we would miss out on the celebration of so many milestones that those memories provide. Additionally, remembering the mistakes made in the past has allowed us to avoid making them again. Thus, life gets easier as we age and learn. Our past is like a scrapbook of faces, places and events.

The present, of course, is where we need to spend the most time as we travel the road of life. Work has to be done so a living can be earned. We expend a lot of energy nurturing our relationships with our spouse and the children we have brought into this world. The present is a juggling act of time constraints as we strive to fulfill our responsibilities at home and on the job. In fact, it becomes a real merry-go-round of activity and demands on our time if we fail to place some guidelines and limits into our lives. We need to continually remind ourselves of our priorities or the demands of the present begin to take their toll. Years ago, while in the midst of whatever the present held for me, I framed a picture of wildflowers. I kept it on my desk at work and moved it home when I retired. It reads: “Many go through the meadow, but few see the flowers in it.” It served as an important reminder to slow down, to pay attention to the passage of time, and to savor each fleeting moment. Children grow up and leave, and spouses age … time moves on. Our present will become our past so we need to take the time to build good memories.

In those quiet times of reflection, we also gain a greater understanding of the interconnectedness of our present and our past. When we spend time remembering our past, we gain a greater understanding of our present. We can see how we have come to where we are when we remember the challenges that required us to make decisions — hard decisions that affected not only ourselves, but those we loved and for whom we were responsible. We can appreciate the importance of each decision made along the way.

The past and present inform — and build — our future. At this stage of life, our future is the shortest span of time we have remaining to us so it is important to make the most of it. Plan for a fulfilling future by using time wisely. We can right old wrongs and mend bridges while we still have the time. We can still make plans to visit people and places that give us joy and pass happiness to others as well. There is still time to make a difference in — or a memory for — someone else’s life. In this way, our future will become another’s memory … we become someone else’s past.

Our lives come full circle as we spend time remembering our past, appreciating our present and planning for our future. Living just for today — in the now — short changes us. So, allow yourself time now to remember and appreciate all the flowers in all the meadows of your life. And don’t forget the few weeds along the way, for they make the flowers all the brighter.

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NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

Group activities are ongoing and doors are unlocked for visits. They welcome anyone who would like to entertain residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

Sunday: Church on TV/coloring/resident choice, 10 a.m.

Monday: Rosary, 10 a.m.; room visits, 10 a.m.; music, 11:45 a.m.; baking, 1:30 p.m.; reminisce, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Church with Pastor Sam, Lutheran, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; crossword, 1:30 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Catholic service with Kerri, 10 a.m.; music, 11:45 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; science fun, 1:30 p.m.; Uno, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Jam work out, 10 a.m.; word fun, 10:30 a.m.; music, 11:45 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Resident choice 10 a.m.; love for color, 2 p.m.; word search, 6 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; trivia, 10 a.m.; chair exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; afternoon matinee with popcorn, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Coffee social/mandalas, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; classic movie, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Book club, 10 a.m.; loud acres, 10:30 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; garden club/reminisce, 2 p.m.; romance movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Just friends, 9:30 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; Dan’s songs for seniors, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; happy hour with music, 2 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; karaoke and dessert bar, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: ICMCF word search/room visits, 9 a.m.; puzzle time, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

(formerly Manor Care/ProMedica)

Kingsford

906-774-4805

The center is now open for visitation. Visitors no longer need to call in advance.

Sunday: Manicures, 9 a.m.; devotional, 10:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; National Bowling Day, 1 p.m.

Monday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; What is Labor Day? program, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Leisure cart, 9 a.m.; devotional, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Flip-o, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 9 a.m.; manicures, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; shop op, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; daily scoop, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; crafting with Linda Dale, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Chips and chatter, 9 a.m.; reminiscing, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Grandparents’ Day Social, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Men’s social, 9:30 a.m.; devotional, 10:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; crafting, 1 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Visitation is allowed. Daily scheduled activities continue to be for residents only.

Sunday: Coffee and news, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

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

Tuesday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; Bob Larson, 10:15 a.m.; pamper and polish, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; evening prayer, 5 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; exercise — bag toss, 10 a.m.; baking cupcakes, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: Monthly birthday coffee clutch, 10 a.m.; fair, 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Saturday: Morning mingle/“Price Is Right,” 10 a.m.; action movie and popcorn, 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: Labor Day.

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

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

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; “Wheel of Fortune”/refreshments, 1:30 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: Trivia, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Monday: Outside social, 10:30 a.m.; movie, 2 p.m.; Yahtzee, 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.; Scattegories, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social, 10:30 a.m.; Bunco, 2 p.m.; trivia, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday: Exercise, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.; sensory, 6 p.m.

Friday: Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; happy hour, 2 p.m.; kings’ corners, 3:30 p.m.

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

SENIOR CENTERS

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

The center, 415 Main St., is open four days a week, serving 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 —

Tuesday: Beef and broccoli Alfredo and salad.

Wednesday: Crunchy cod and vegetable casserole and coleslaw.

Thursday: Hot turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and vegetables.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

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: Closed for Labor Day.

Tuesday: Chicken salad, roasted potatoes and coleslaw.

Wednesday: Ham and scalloped potatoes and mixed vegetables.

Thursday: Smothered cube steak, mashed potatoes and peas.

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 open on Mondays and serves 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 phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to home-bound citizens only.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Closed for Labor Day.

Tuesday: Chili mac and cornbread.

Wednesday: Meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

Home-delivered meals (prepared by Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency — independent from above menu) —

Monday: Cheeseburger, baked beans and french fries.

Tuesday: Jager schnitzel (pork chop with mushroom sauce), peas and carrots and cranberries.

Wednesday: Scalloped potatoes and ham, glazed carrots and fruit.

Thursday: Philly casserole, five-way vegetable and croissant.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 230 or 235

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

Monday: Cheeseburger, baked beans and french fries.

Tuesday: Jager schnitzel (pork chop with mushroom sauce), peas and carrots and cranberries.

Wednesday: Scalloped potatoes and ham, glazed carrots and fruit.

Thursday: Philly casserole, five-way vegetable and croissant.

Friday: Nacho supreme, refried beans, sour cream and salsa.

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 at 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards — Pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.

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

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: Closed for Labor Day.

Tuesday: Ham and cheese sandwich and chips.

Wednesday: Beef stroganoff over noodles and green beans.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Cheeseburger, baked beans and French fries.

Tuesday: Jager schnitzel (pork chop with mushroom sauce), peas and carrots and cranberries.

Wednesday: Scalloped potatoes and ham, glazed carrots and fruit.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Menu for the week —

Monday: All centers closed for Labor Day.

Tuesday: Pork loin, mashed potatoes, harvard beets and fruit.

Wednesday: Beef stew, biscuits, fruit and pumpkin bars.

Thursday: Chicken and waffle strips, baked sweet potato, spinach salad and fruit salad.

Friday: Fajitas (whole wheat tortillas, sweet peppers, onions, lettuce, tomato, sour cream), refried beans and fruit salad.

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, 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: Closed for Labor Day.

Tuesday: Bratwurst, hot dog bun, green beans, oven potatoes and fruit cup.

Wednesday: Beef and bean enchilada, lettuce and tomato, Spanish rice, Mexicorn, sour cream and fresh fruit.

Thursday: Cheese tortellini, spaghetti sauce with meat, country trio vegetables, breadstick and fruit cup.

Friday: Beef steak, mashed red potatoes, Brussel sprouts, fruited Jell-O and whole wheat bread.

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: Denver egg bake, French toast sticks and hashbrowns.

Tuesday: Tamale pie, Spanish rice and fried apples.

Wednesday: Beef stew, sweet potatoes and dinner roll.

Thursday: Chicken cordon bleu, creamy noodles and spinach salad with hot bacon dressing.

Niagara Senior Center Cafe

715-251-1603

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

Monday: Closed for Labor Day.

Tuesday: Beef stew, applesauce, dinner roll and cake.

Wednesday: Hamburger on a bun, bacon-lettuce-tomato pasta salad, fresh vegetables and chips, cookie.

Thursday: Pork chop, Spanish rice with black beans, green beans, and fruit fluff.

The center will have bingo on Mondays and Wednesdays this month.

Norway Center

Director: Joyce Olesky

Head Cook: Brian Gutkowski. 

906-563-8716

Open for dine-in eating, 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: Closed for Labor Day.

Tuesday: Cranberry chicken wrap, sweet potato fries and vegetable.

Wednesday: Two meal day — 11 a.m., ham and Swiss sliders, chips, vegetable; 4 p.m., corned beef and cabbage, baked potato and carrots.

Thursday: Chicken parmesan over noodles, breadstick and vegetable.

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 906-563-5587 for more 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

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

Tuesday: Chicken and sour cream enchilada, Spanish rice and corn.

Wednesday: Sweet and sour pork, rice and stir-fry vegetables.

Thursday: Barbecue chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans.

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

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Cheeseburger, baked beans and French fries.

Tuesday: Jager schnitzel (pork chop with mushroom sauce), peas and carrots and cranberries.

Wednesday: Scalloped potatoes and ham, glazed carrots and fruit.