NIAGARA, Wis. — Most of us never give aging a thought until we hit the 60th year. At least, this was true for me. Certainly, when I was a child, I looked forward to birthdays because in my young mind, I would finally attain the age of coveted privileges.

Since I was the oldest, I had to be the pioneer of overcoming barriers to certain freedoms. My mother did not seem to share the same perspective as I did regarding seeing certain movies, going places with my friends, or dating more often than one night on a weekend. My curfews were strict, and she kept close tabs on me. After our many arguments, my younger siblings had a much easier time getting their way; at least that is what it seemed like to me. I was “the paver of the path” and the “breaker of all maternal barriers.” Of course, my siblings most likely did not view it the same way. From the time we are born, our lives are a series of stages that pass in 10-year increments. And when we take a look at each decade, it makes for a most interesting journey.

For about the first 10 years of our lives we were content with how things were going for us. Those early years are a pretty uncomplicated time for most of us, and we certainly had no idea at all about the stages yet to come. As I look back to those years of grade school, I remember the many carefree days of recess, friends, birthday parties, and neighborhood games. I remember kickball games on the playground and swinging so high at recess that the chains of the swing began to go slack. Tree climbing, exploring the neighborhood woods, roller skating for hours on the concrete sidewalks using skates that clamped to our shoes, and games of Red Rover were weekly occurrences throughout the summer months. I remember the neighborhood Miss America Pageant I participated in when I was 10 years old and how we played “Queen For A Day” on my friend’s front porch. In my young eyes, anything was possible — even though I became neither Miss America nor the Queen. Christopher Moore, writer of 18 bestselling absurdist fiction novels, states, “Children see magic because they look for it.”

By the time we turn 10 years old, we begin to count down the days, weeks, months and years to those wonderful milestone birthdays of 13, 16, 18, and 21. We imagine how exciting each one will be as we “finally become old enough to do whatever or go wherever.” My mother always took the birthday child out to dinner on their special day. When I turned 13, not only did she take me out to eat, but she also took me to the movies — a double feature in Fond du Lac, Wis. We saw “Peyton Place” and “Return To Peyton Place.” I don’t think she realized just how “steamy” some of the scenes would be, but we had a really good time. At 16 I went to my first prom, and at 18 my girlfriend took me out to the teen bars in Oshkosh. These teen years are tumultuous as we try to figure out who we really are. As W.H. Auden explains, “Young people, who are still uncertain of their identity, often try on a succession of masks in the hope of finding the one which suits them — the one, in fact, which is not a mask.”

Author Candace Bushnell describes the decade of the 20s in these words: “Happiness comes out of being willing to do your work in your twenties to find out who you are, what you love.”

Truer words were never spoken. I met and married my husband, we both graduated from college, had our two children, worked “survival” jobs, and moved six times in seven years. We started career jobs that did not make us happy and had to come up with Plan B. It was very unsettling and more than a little scary for both of us. I can remember feeling very tired beyond my years back then.

Regarding traveling through our 30s, actor Matt Dillon said, “Thirty was so strange for me. There was no turning back. I’ve really had to come to terms with the fact that I’m a walking and talking adult.” There is an expectation that by the time we hit that 30-year mark we will have figured life out. We have made a bunch of rookie mistakes, have tried on several jobs, dated different types of people, and have “tried on life.” It was time for life to begin to gel into a workable pattern. Yet, this decade is not without its uncertainties. Part of it falls within the “deadline decade” of 35 to 45 when we realize we need a change. That was certainly true for me when in my late 30s I finally found my “career employer.”

The decade of our 40s is a time of “settling.” We’ve made choices that have born fruit, and we are feeling pretty good about life in general. As playwright Henry Miller expresses it, “It was only in my 40s that I really began to feel young. By then I was ready for it.” Since my husband and I had married and had children so young, we had an empty nest by our mid-40s. Both of our sons had completed college, our oldest son was married, and our youngest was forging his own path through life. We had the freedom to go out whenever we wanted, to travel a bit, and to concentrate on building our careers. It was a fun decade.

Regarding turning 50, author Marya Mannes writes, “The process of maturing is an art to be learned, an effort to be sustained. By the age of 50 you have made yourself what you are, and if it is good, it is better than your youth.” I have to agree with her. I can distinctly remember feeling that I had finally become the person I was meant to be when I hit 50. I was secure in my career, happy in my marriage, proud of the men our sons had become, and just content. Life, as they say, was good.

Helen Mirren gives some witty perspective to turning 60 in her words, “When you’re 16, 30 seems ancient. When you’re 30, 45 seems ancient. When you’re 45, 60 seems ancient. When you’re 60, nothing seems ancient.” My husband and I, like Mirren, found ourselves redefining “old” depending upon the decade in which we found ourselves. We were “aging” but we were not old. We had retired, and an entire broader world had just opened up for us. We had more freedom, were not a slave to an alarm clock, and if something did not get accomplished one day, it would get done on another. We had more spontaneity in our lives, and it was quite enjoyable.

We now find ourselves in the middle of the 70th decade of life. Poet Nazim Hikmet states, “…you must take living so seriously that even at 70 you’ll plant olive trees — and not for your children, either. But because although you fear death you don’t believe it, because living, weighs heavier.” We know we are aging if for no other reason that our bones remind us every time we stand up from a chair or we have done too much work in one day. But we still make plans — maybe because we are slowly realizing that we may not have too many years left to live life on our own terms. I think this just might be the reason my husband and I are finally driving the Lake Superior Circle Tour this month.

I cannot personally comment on the 80s, 90s or reaching 100, but others can.

Filmmaker Jean Renoir commented, “The advantage of being 80-years-old is that one has many people to love.” And my husband’s Uncle Mike said, “I am getting older, but I am not getting old.” On reaching 90 years of age, Betty White mused, “If you are still functioning and not in pain, gratitude should be the name of the game.”

Indeed, as life progresses and changes us, the passing years bring new wisdom and different forms of joy. So, when contemplating the attainment of that 100th year, I have to embrace the old Irish toast, “May you live to be a hundred years. With one extra year to repent.” Enjoy the years ahead … wherever the journey leads you.

——

NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

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

The third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. has 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 in dining room on YouTube, 10 a.m.; relax, coloring, 2 p.m.

Monday: Chair workout, 10 a.m.; trivia, 10:30 a.m.; sing along, 11 a.m.; banana splits, 2 p.m.; music with Michael, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Nail spa, 10 a.m.; bird club on YouTube in dining room, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Bible study in dining room, 10 a.m.; coffee chat, 10:30 a.m.; crafts in dining room, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Parade of bows, 10 a.m.; hallway chat, 1:30 p.m.; monthly birthday party fun, 2 p.m.

Friday: Scrabble, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Word search, 1 p.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, 9 a.m.; hangman, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 9 to 11 a.m.; afternoon matinee with popcorn, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Early bird bingo, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; two dips and a truck, 1:30 p.m. bonfire, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends. 9:30 a.m.; Iron River Bible Church, 10 a.m.; loud acres, 10:30 a.m.; parachute, 10:45 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Getting pretty, 9:30 a.m.; men’s club, 10 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; travel club, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 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 with Gayle, 2 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; ice cream in the pavilion, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Word game/volleyball, 9:30 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; romance movie, 6 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

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

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; leisure in lobby, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Dog Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; sing along, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m., bingo, 2 p.m.; leisure in lobby, 6 p.m. 

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Labor Day craft, 2 p.m.

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

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

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

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

Sunday: Coffee and Scattegories, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; courtyard cabana – banana splits, 2 p.m.; Baptist church family sing-along, 5 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 a.m.; Catch A Phrase, 10:15 a.m.; courtyard campfire, s’mores, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; outdoor social, 10 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; resident choice, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; hangman, 10 a.m.; fly swatter balloon, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3:00

Friday: Happy hour with Jim on the piano, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; courtyard social, 2 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information was available.

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.; Sunday Funday, 2:30 p.m.; daily chronicle.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; “You be the Judge,” 11 am; bowling, 1:45 pm; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; Book Club, 4 p.m.; movie, “Down Under,” 6 pm; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation, open room, 9:30 am; juice hour/who-what-where, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; bologna, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation, open room, 9:30 am; picture this, 11 a.m.; crafty Wednesday, 1:45 p.m.; Pictionary, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

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

Friday: Morning visits and realty orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; buying into thrifting, 11 a.m.; happy hour with Vicky and Dave, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; bonfire, 6 p.m.

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

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Pasty pie, coleslaw, corn.

Wednesday: Blackened fish, au gratin potatoes, cauliflower.

Thursday: Meatloaf, sweet potatoes, green beans, dinner roll, pudding.

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: Barbecue rib patty on a bun, macaroni and cheese, mixed vegetables.

Tuesday: Pasty pie, coleslaw, corn.

Wednesday: Blackened fish, au gratin potatoes, cauliflower.

Thursday: Night meal — meatloaf, sweet potatoes, green beans, dinner roll, pudding. Salad bar, 3:30 a.m.; meal, 4 p.m.

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. Deliveries to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Honey-glazed ham, sweet potatoes or oven-browned potatoes.

Tuesday: Pizza burgers, tater tots.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy.

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: Barbecue rib patty on a bun, macaroni and cheese, mixed vegetables.

Tuesday: Pasty pie, coleslaw, corn.

Wednesday: Blackened fish, au gratin potatoes, cauliflower.

Thursday: Meatloaf, sweet potatoes, green beans, dinner roll, pudding.

Friday: Broccoli cheese soup grilled ham and cheese sider, side salad.

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

Head cook: Joan Wickman 906-246-3559

Program president: Lisa Casey 906-282-7899.

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. Delivery offered to homebound residents within Felch, West Branch and Breen townships.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Grilled ham and cheese sandwich, broccoli cheese soup.

Tuesday: Nacho bar — corn tortilla chips, cheese, all the fixings.

Wednesday: Chicken stir fry, rice, fortune cookie.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Cabbage roll casserole, carrots, fruit.

Tuesday: Mushroom Swiss burger, baked beans, broccoli, fruit.

Wednesday: Spaghetti, spinach strawberry salad, garlic bread, ice cream.

Thursday: Cook’s choice — entree, vegetables, fruit.

Friday: Cranberry chicken, mashed sweet potato, black beans and corn, salad, 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: Shepherd’s pie, sweet potato cubes, fruit cocktail, whole wheat bread.

Tuesday: Polish sausage, sauerkraut, whole wheat hot dog bun, boiled red potatoes, succotash vegetables, sliced apples.

Wednesday: Congregate Birthday celebration — roast turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes with gravy, diced carrots, diced pears, whole wheat dinner roll, pistachio dessert.

Thursday: Tuna salad spread, croissant, garden vegetable soup, copper penny salad, fruit cup.

Friday: Bourbon chicken, brown rice, chef’s choice vegetable, green peas, tropical fruit.

Milk available at all meals.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Meal served at noon, with salad bar available at 11:30 a.m. No night meals are available. Meals can be prepared for carryout.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Barbecue rib patty on a bun, macaroni and cheese, mixed vegetables.

Tuesday: Pasty pie, coleslaw, corn.

Wednesday: Blackened fish, au gratin potatoes, cauliflower.

Thursday: Meatloaf, sweet potatoes, green beans, dinner roll, pudding.

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: Pork ribs with sauerkraut, broccoli, tropical fruit salad, wheat dinner roll.

Wednesday: Brat on a bun, German potato salad, baked beans, blueberry dessert.

Thursday: Bone-in chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, carrot raisin salad, wheat dinner roll.

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:30 a.m. Salad bar available from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Takeout meals are available for pick-up from 11:15 to 11:30 a.m. Those attending should let staff know in advance if planning to dine in or picking up the meal.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Ham and scalloped potatoes, dinner roll, carrots, tropical fruit.

Tuesday: Turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, peaches.

Wednesday: Meatballs with noodles and gravy, cream corn, pineapple.

Thursday: Tacos, refried beans, Spanish rice, pears.

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.

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: “Taco Tuesday” — all-you-can-eat taco bar, dessert or fruit.

Wednesday: “A Taste of Germany” — Breaded schnitzel, German potato salad, vegetable, bread, dessert or fruit.

Thursday: Southwest ranch chicken wraps, macaroni and cheese, vegetable, dessert or fruit.