NIAGARA, Wis. — There remains little doubt that we are currently living through an extraordinary period in our country. Only the passage of time will reveal just how pivotal and just how much of life as we know it will change as a result of actions being taken in our present day. Depending upon our age, many of us can remember similar periods of uneasiness or events that took place that seemed harmless enough in the moment but proved to be consequential down the road of our collective history.

Words are powerful, capable even of changing the course of history. And those who speak them need to be aware of their impact. Words can win wars or prevent them. They can give comfort in the face of adversity and inspire others to great feats and great discoveries. They can set people free, or at least set them on a path to freedom. There are many who came before us who were aware of the power of words to inspire, to encourage, and to create a new way forward. In today’s column, I wanted to share their words as a reminder that, although it may not appear true today, there are brighter days ahead.

Queen Elizabeth I

“I know I have the body but of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm.”

In 1588, while awaiting an expected invasion by the Spanish Armada, Queen Elizabeth I addressed her troops gathered at Tilbury, England. Elizabeth, dressed in a white velvet dress and wearing a breastplate, rode among her troops upon a gray horse, cutting an almost mythical figure. While her rousing speech didn’t directly affect the outcome of the failed Armada, the English had a newfound faith in their queen, which would help make the small nation a world power.

Galileo Galilei

“I hold the sun to be situated motionless in the center of the revolution of the celestial orbs while the Earth rotates on its axis and revolves about the sun.”

Heliocentrism is the idea that the Earth and planets actually revolve around the sun which is at the center of the universe. While this idea had been around since the ancient Greeks, it was Galileo who first provided proof using a telescope. Today, he is considered the father of observational astronomy, modern physics and the scientific method.

Abraham Lincoln

“That from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

These words were part of the Gettysburg Address and were spoken on Nov. 19, 1863, in honor of those soldiers who had sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom just four months earlier at the Battle of Gettysburg. The battle and this speech marked a turning point in the Civil War.

Emmeline Pankhurst

“I come to ask you to help to win this fight. If we win it, this hardest of all fights, then, to be sure, in the future it is going to be made easier for women all over the world to win their fight when their time comes.”

Pankhurst was a feminist activist from England who traveled to Hartford, Connecticut, in 1913 where she gave her “Freedom or Death” speech that contained this quotation. Her words united suffragists and suffragettes from both nations, bolstering and expanding the fight for women’s voting rights.

Winston Churchill

“We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”

Churchill delivered this speech in the House of Commons in June 1940 after the Battle of Dunkirk. With the evacuation of Dunkirk, an invasion of Britain by Nazi Germany was a distinct possibility. Churchill’s rousing speech rallied a fearful nation to have the strength to continue the fight.

John F. Kennedy

“We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”

These words came from President Kennedy’s speech at Rice University in 1962 and served to make NASA’s fledgling Apollo program a national priority. They paved the way for stepping onto the moon’s surface in 1969. His words provided the motivation for space exploration for decades to come.

Martin Luther King Jr.

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

On Aug. 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered these words that would become a defining moment of the civil rights movement. King addressed a crowd of 250,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington with these words that called for an end to racism in the United States, and civil and economic rights for all citizens.

Nelson Mandela

“I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to see realized. But, my lord, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

Mandela gave this speech from the dock as a defendant at the Rivonia Trial of 1964, in which he and other leading opponents of apartheid went on trial on charges of sabotage, a crime that carried the death penalty. It was a rallying cry for racial justice and democratic ideals that cost Mandela 27 years of his life in prison. Four years after his release in 1990, he was elected the first Black president of South Africa.

These words will continue to inspire and comfort us, for they are woven into the fabric of our democracy. And we need to allow them to bolster our belief that leaders, yet unknown to us in our current struggles, will emerge who will have the vision to speak other words that will encourage us to reunite … to once again work together as one to truly recapture the American spirit that will fulfill America’s great potential.

Source: Tony Dunnell for Interesting Facts website

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NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

They welcome anyone who would like to entertain the residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

On the third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. they host a Memory Cafe — a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program runs on donations.

Sunday: Catholic Mass on TV, 10 a.m.; relax-coloring, 2 p.m.

Monday: Chair fun, 10 a.m.; trivia, 10:30 a.m.; sing-along, 11 a.m.; memory cafe with Jaime, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Nail spa/room visits, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Movie in dining room, 10 a.m.; crafts in dining room, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee talk, 10 a.m.; room crafts, 11 a.m.; music in the halls, 1 p.m.; bunny visits, 2 p.m.

Friday: LCR dice, 10 a.m.; joke time, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Word search, 10 a.m.; family time, 2 p.m.; “Weakest Link” on PBS, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; high rollers, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; afternoon matinee with popcorn, 2 p.m.

Monday: Cooking, 9:30 a.m.; DT lunch, noon; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; jokes and cocoa, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9 a.m.; book club, 10 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; IR Senior Center, 10 a.m.; Dan’s songs for seniors, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/travel club, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; United Lutheran church, 2 p.m.; happy hour with Gale, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9 – 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; Wii fun, 2 p.m.; web browsing, 2:30 p.m.; classic movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: ICMCF word search/hangman, 9:30 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p m.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; games or movie, 1 p.m.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; World Bee Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; crochet club, 1 p.m.; karaoke/sing-along, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; crochet club, 1 to 2 p.m.; “Pictionary,” 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; craft or games, 1 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families are allowed to attend activities and are encouraged to join in.

Sunday: Coffee social and resident choice game, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 1:30 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; board games, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; bee trivia, 10 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 a.m.; baking, 10:15 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Pictionary, 10 a.m.; crossword challenge, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: Uno, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Jim on the piano, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Scrabble match, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

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.; trivia and refreshments, 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.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

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

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical

Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bunco, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; church services, 1:30 p.m.; name that instrument, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages, daily chronicle.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; travelogue, 11 a.m.; bowling, 1:45 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; romance movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; who-what-where, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; rummy, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; hangman, 11 a.m.; happy hour with Bob Larson, 2 p.m.; Bunco, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo/word mining, 10:30 a.m.; off to the races, 2 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation, Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; pondering prompts, 11 a.m.; music with Jerry Beauchamp, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; exercise group, 10 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 3 p.m.; daily chronicles; activity packets.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Meat loaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied carrots.

Wednesday: Broccoli and ham stuffed potatoes, beets, croissant.

Thursday: Smothered chicken and rice, California blend vegetables, dinner roll.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Dine-in eating Monday through Thursday at noon, salad bar at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week —

Monday: Liver and onions (or substitute), buttered noodles, peas, garlic and cheese biscuit.

Tuesday: French onion pork chops, seasoned rice pilaf, biscuit.

Wednesday: Swedish meatballs, buttered noodles, four-way mixed vegetables, breadstick.

Thursday: Honey garlic chicken, lo mein, Italian vegetables, dinner roll.

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

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook: Elizabeth Peryam

Assistant Cooks: Debbie Bigalke and Shannon Stapleton

906-875-6709

The center is serving meals for dine-in or takeout – call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or place an order. All food 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 a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Spaghetti with Italian sausage, garlic bread.

Tuesday: Breaded chicken sandwich, homemade macaroni and cheese.

Wednesday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy.

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

Monday: Mediterranean-style chicken, buttered noodles, Italian vegetables.

Tuesday: Meatball soup, biscuit with butter, fresh fruit.

Wednesday: Unstuffed pepper bowl, peas, whole wheat bread with butter.

Thursday: Chili, crackers, hard roll, pudding.

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: Mediterranean-style chicken, buttered noodles, Italian vegetables.

Tuesday: Meatball soup, biscuit with butter, fresh fruit.

Wednesday: Unstuffed pepper bowl, peas, whole wheat bread with butter.

Thursday: Chili, crackers, hard roll, pudding.

Friday: Sweet and sour pork with fried rice, Oriental vegetables, fruit, fortune cookie.

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 3 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.; board games, 1 to 3 p.m.

Friday: Cards — Smear, noon to 4 p.m.; chess, noon.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Salad bar opens at 11 a.m., with the meal at 11:30 a.m. and dessert to follow. Evening meal is served every third Wednesday of the month, with sponsored activities. Takeout meals are available for pick up.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Meat loaf, twice-baked potato, corn.

Tuesday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, garlic bread.

Wednesday: Evening Meal honoring mom — Oven-baked chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Pigs in a blanket, home fries, Western baked beans, fruit.

Tuesday: Scalloped potatoes with ham, candied carrots, fruit, pudding.

Wednesday: Chicken noodle casserole, dark green salad, fruit, chocolate cake.

Thursday: Hash brown egg casserole, fruit salad, blueberry muffin, tomato juice.

Friday: Taco tater-tot casserole with lettuce, tomato, onion and black olives; sour cream; fruit.

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

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Florence Community Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Fence Town Hall

Serving at noon Wednesday only. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Tipler Town Hall

Serving at noon on second Thursday only. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

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: Cheeseburger, bun, tater tots, green beans, apple slices.

Tuesday: Swiss chicken breast, brown rice, Capri vegetables, peas, pineapple tidbits.

Wednesday: Meatloaf with ketchup glaze, mashed potatoes with gravy, mixed vegetables, whole wheat bread, fruit cocktail.

Thursday: Cobb salad (with turkey, cheese, egg and bacon), pasta salad, breadstick, fruited Jell-O.

Friday: Meat lasagna, Brussel sprouts, side salad, breadstick, warm cinnamon peaches.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Salad bar opens at 11 a.m., with the meal served at 11:30 a.m. No night meals are available. Meals can be prepared for carryout.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Grandma’s chicken and dumplings, side salad, biscuit, fruit.

Tuesday: Blackened fish, au gratin potatoes, cauliflower, apple crisp.

Wednesday: Taco beef and noodle skillet, Spanish rice, refried beans, dinner roll.

Thursday: Cheese tortellini with meat sauce, Italian style vegetables, garlic bread.

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

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

Dinner is served at noon Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation for the meal is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Bingo is played on most Wednesdays. Transportation to the meal site is available.

Tuesday: Tuna noodle casserole, green beans, pickled beets, wheat roll, fruit cocktail.

Wednesday: Meat loaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, broccoli, wheat bread, pears.

Thursday: Sloppy Joe with a bun, sweet potato fries, baked beans, orange fruit fluff.

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:15 a.m. Takeout meals are available for pick-up from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Let staff know in advance if planning to dine in or pick up the meal.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Liver or burger and onions, mashed potatoes, broccoli, pears, cake.

Tuesday: Brats with sauerkraut, baked beans, coleslaw, tropical blend, pudding.

Wednesday: Chef salad with ham, chicken and egg, breadstick, mandarin oranges, cookies.

Thursday: Meatballs with mashed potatoes and gravy, wax beans, applesauce, brownies.

Birthdays and bingo on second 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

Dine-in meals served. Salad bar opens at 11 a.m. and meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals also available.

Tuesday: Biscuits and sausage gravy, oven roasted potatoes, applesauce.

Wednesday: Open face chicken and stuffing sandwich, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots.

Thursday: Creamy vegetable soup, grilled hand and cheese slider, coleslaw, Jell-O.

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

Home-delivered meals –

Monday: Mediterranean-style chicken, buttered noodles, Italian vegetables.

Tuesday: Meatball soup, biscuit with butter, fresh fruit.

Wednesday: Unstuffed pepper bowl, peas, whole wheat bread with butter.