Suzanne Killian

NIAGARA, Wis. — Like most kids, I really looked forward to summer vacation. We never really did a lot, but that was the point really. All schedules dropped away. We could sleep late — often having breakfast cereal for lunch. There were no classes, no teachers, no homework, few rules and a lot more freedom. Our recreation was simple and cheap. In fact, most days were comprised of made-up games that grew in complexity as we got older. My mom saved most of her vacation days for this time of year and did what she could afford to show us a good time.

As the oldest one of the family, I was responsible for keeping the “lid on” at home, which simply meant I prevented anything too serious from going awry. Truth be told, as I got older, I climbed the apple tree in the backyard and read my books free from any interruption from my siblings. By that time, my siblings could pretty much take care of themselves so as long as no one got seriously injured, I was off the hook.

There were many car rides down country roads that almost always ended with an ice cream cone. We spent a lot of time on my grandparents’ farm. We climbed trees, played in the hay mow, made forts from bales of hay, played hide and seek in the rows of corn, and climbed the mulberry tree to eat its berries. A favorite pastime was catching toads and then racing them in the water tank in the milkhouse. We never went after frogs because we did not like to touch them, but toads were warm and dry. One jumped right up my sister’s pant leg one day; she was part crying and part laughing as she grabbed her leg to keep it from jumping any higher.

Once I was high school age, my summer always began with a hike to Pickett, a little farming community nine miles from the school. I, along with my two girlfriends who lived on farms there, packed a lunch and made the trek. I stayed overnight, and my mom would pick me up the next day so, thankfully, I did not have to put on another nine miles to get back home. This hike passed by acres of farmers’ fields so was devoid of any shade. Consequently, it provided the first sunburn of the season which, once healed, was a good base layer for all the suntans that would follow. And there were trips to the beach for picnics and swimming — both with family and with friends.

The highlights every summer were the trips to the outdoor movie theater. There was one just down Highway 23 on the way to Green Lake that we attended frequently throughout the season — especially on “buck nights,” when an entire car load could see a movie for $1. My mom was famous for packing “movie snacks.” The term “snack” is really a misnomer, for we had a regular picnic of sandwiches, popcorn and chips, plus one can of soda each. We were all dressed in our pajamas and had blankets and pillows with us; because it was generally a double feature, we would be getting home pretty late at night. If we fell asleep in the car, we were prepared for a good snooze.

The movies we saw were not the typical children’s movies, either. Believing we would fall asleep after a while, our mom was not too concerned that we were watching Alfred Hitchcock movies at a very young age. And I am not talking about simply a suspenseful movie for which Hitchcock was noted. I am talking about the downright creepy movies like “Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte” and “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.” Those films made “Psycho” seem like a Disney movie.

I ran across an interesting article recently that gave the history of the rise and fall of the drive-in movie theaters. Invented by Richard Hollingshead Jr. in 1933, the first movie was shown under the stars in Camden, New Jersey. Hollingshead had tested out his idea in his own driveway, where he projected a movie from a projector — set on the hood of his car — onto a white sheet he had suspended from trees. It did not take long to get a patent, and the first “park-in” theater opened on June 6, showing the British comedy, “Wives Beware.” Moviegoers paid 25 cents per car plus another quarter per person; a car with three or more people was charged a flat rate of $1. The idea caught on slowly through the 1930s and early 1940s, but once World War II ended families were ready for some entertainment.

By the late 1950s, drive-in movie theaters were booming, with more than 4,000 locations in predominantly rural and suburban areas where land was plentiful. The Johnny All-Weather Drive-In in Copiague, New York was one of the most elaborate. At its opening in 1957, it had room for 2,500 cars, a full-service restaurant, a playground, and even a shuttle train to carry the movie goers from their cars to the various attractions on the theater grounds. Consequently, these properties became more than movie theaters; they were all-out destinations. Not only did they provide entertainment for entire families, but they became teen hangouts where the movie was secondary to other memorable events.

By the 1970s, the outdoor movie business began slowing down due to the changing times. The oil crisis caused the public to drive less in order to conserve on gas that had become much more expensive. Also, the widespread use of color TV sets along with the invention of the VCR — which brought movies right to the family living room — diminished the appeal of the outdoor movie theater. Additionally, the huge plots of land under the drive-in theaters became more valuable than the theaters themselves. Each theater required 10 to 15 acres of land, which developers were now anxious to use for shopping malls or more housing.

Slowly, the drive-in movie theaters began disappearing from the American landscape and our culture. Some family-owned operations hung on, but fewer than 300 are in operation today. Most, however, remain only in our memories as part of a simpler time when the family could pile into the car — kids in their pajamas with pillows and snacks — and see a movie together for a $1.

As summer vacation wore on, I began looking forward to the start of a new school year. I began walking the aisles of the local dime stores planning the school supplies I would most definitely need. From pencils and big pink erasers, along with the special cases or pouches to put them in, to spiral notebooks and binders, I had everything planned. As I grew older, I figured out how long I could continue to work my summer job in order to afford all of the new school clothes I would buy. Older yet, and I was going on a final summer fling with friends.

Yes, summer was definitely a special time. It was a time of rest and growth, a time of fun and new adventures, and a time to look forward and plan. And today, summer is a good time to look back … to remember family fun, sibling adventures, and slower days in simpler times.

——

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 You Tube, 10 a.m.; Strong Tower Church, 2 p.m.

Monday: National S’mores Day, 10 a.m.; sing along, 11 a.m.; card club, 1:30 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: World Lizard Day, 10 a.m.; hallway chat, 1:30 p.m.; George/bunny visit, 2 p.m.

Friday: Staff/resident spa time, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; National Lemon Pie Day.

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.; Scattegories, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; afternoon matinee with popcorn, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; bonfire, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends. 9:30 a.m.; book club, 10 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; mystery ride, 1 p.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; garden club, 2 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Community breakfast, 8:15 a.m.; “Animal Kingdom,” 10 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; baking group, 1:30 p.m.; Christ United church, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 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 Gayle, 2 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; ICMCF Auxiliary fundraiser, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; room visits; romance movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Puzzler/storytelling, 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

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.; lion day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; movie in lobby, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; World Elephant Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; afternoon tea, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Room visits, 8 a.m.; Hope Church service, 9:30; room visits, 11 a.m., Lutheran church, 2 p.m.; leisure in lobby, 6 p.m. 

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; “A surprise…,” 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; Elvis facts, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; August birthday party, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; craft or games, 1:30 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 and resident choice game, 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.; ice cream outing, 12:30 p.m.; “Soundz of Time” with Jan and Gino, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; game night, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; creative art-canvas painting part one, 10 a.m.; courtyard campfire — corn roast and music with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 a.m.; help your neighbor, 10:15 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; ice tea social, 5:30 p.m.; Music in the Park, acoustical sounds of Norton and Chartier, 7 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; creative art, canvas painting, part two, 10 a.m.; board games, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3:00

Friday: Buzz words, 10 a.m.; Happy hour with Jim on the piano, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Scrabble, 10 a.m.; Packers vs. Colts, noon; Packer tailgate, 1:30 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 a.m.; bowling, 1:45 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; Book Club, 4 p.m.; movie, “Turner and Hooch,” 6 p.m.; 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.; cribbage, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation, open room, 9:30 a.m.; “Wizard of Oz,” 11 a.m.; Bob Larson, 1:45 p.m.; rummy, 4 p.m.; Badwater Ski-Ters, 4:30 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; shopping at Dollar General.

Friday: Morning visits and realty orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; king of the jungle, 11 a.m.; paint and sip, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; game night, 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-on-one visits, 3 p.m.; daily chronicles.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week –

Tuesday: Sweet and sour pork, fried rice, Oriental vegetables, fortune cookie.

Wednesday: Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes, carrots, dinner roll.

Thursday: White chicken chili, salad, cookies.

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: Polish sausage on a bun, french fries, macaroni and cheese.

Tuesday: Sweet and sour pork, fried rice, Oriental vegetables, fortune cookie.

Wednesday: Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes, carrots, dinner roll.

Thursday: Deluxe soup and salad bar, white chicken chili, salad, cookies.

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 made to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Grilled brats, homemade potato salad, baked beans.

Tuesday: Cheese cod, parsley boiled potatoes, cole slaw.

Wednesday: Barbecue chicken, rice pilaf.

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: Polish sausage on a bun, french fries, macaroni and cheese.

Tuesday: Sweet and sour pork, fried rice, Oriental vegetables, fortune cookie.

Wednesday: Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes, carrots, dinner roll.

Thursday: White chicken chili, salad, cookies.

Friday: Turkey burger with bacon, broccoli and cheese, roasted potatoes.

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: Fried fish and chips.

Tuesday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy.

Wednesday: Chicken ala king, noodles, vegetable.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Turkey cranberry wrap (turkey, cheese, romaine, cranberry mayo, craisins), macaroni and cheese, baked beans, fruit salad.

Tuesday: Liver and onions or chicken breast, au gratin potatoes, broccoli Normandy, fruit.

Wednesday: Mushroom pork steak, parsley potatoes, steamed cabbage, watermelon.

Thursday: Eggroll casserole, copper pennies, fruit, raspberry bars.

Friday: Philly cheesesteak bake, stewed tomatoes, 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: Swiss chicken breast, brown rice, Capri vegetables, green beans, pineapple/Mandarin orange mix, whole wheat bread.

Tuesday: Baked ham, scalloped potatoes, chef’s choice vegetable, pineapple tidbits, whole wheat bread.

Wednesday: Corn dog, succotash vegetables, potato salad, whole wheat bread, caramel apple crisp.

Thursday: Turkey and Swiss, whole wheat sandwich bread, creamy tomato soup, cole slaw, diced pears.

Friday: Beefy tater tot casserole, corn, whole wheat bread, warm cinnamon peaches.

Milk available at all meals.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

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

Menu for the week —

Monday: Polish sausage on a bun, french fries, macaroni and cheese.

Tuesday: Sweet and sour pork, fried rice, Oriental vegetables, fortune cookie.

Wednesday: Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes, carrots, dinner roll.

Thursday: White chicken chili, salad, cookies.

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: Chicken Alfredo, fettuccine, stewed tomatoes, green beans, mixed fruit.

Wednesday: Sloppy Joe with a bun, cheesy hashbrowns, cole slaw, peach cobbler.

Thursday: Meatloaf with gravy, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, wheat dinner roll, pears.

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: Spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread, cauliflower, peaches.

Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo with egg noodles, mixed vegetables, tropical blend fruit.

Wednesday: Chef salad with ham, chicken and egg; ham and Swiss sliders; Mandarin oranges; cookies.

Thursday: Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes and gravy, peas, applesauce.

Birthdays and bingo 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.

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.

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Baked potato bar, vegetables, bread, dessert or fruit.

Wednesday: Chili coney dogs, fries, vegetable, dessert or fruit.

Thursday: “A Taste of Poland” — kielbasa, pierogis, vegetable, bread, dessert or fruit.