NIAGARA, Wis. — Like Christmas, every family celebrates the coming of the New Year differently. And those celebrations may change with each stage of our lives. I always enjoyed New Year’s Eve almost more than Christmas, and I still feel the same today. It is like the sigh of relaxation after the very busy days of Christmas preparation and celebration.

When I was a kid, my mother always planned a family party on New Year’s Eve. We always had a smaller supper and then treats later on in the evening. One of those treats everyone in my family enjoyed was pickled herring. I think our enjoyment of those tiny fish came naturally as our heritage was German on both sides of my family. My mother always had a cheese and sausage platter so we could make our own little sandwiches, and we had Cokes and sometimes pizza, too. My absolute favorite treat was cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches on rye bread.

We all watched the ball drop in Times Square on television and then had our own countdown again when the new year arrived in central time. My brother would always run to the back door and holler “Happy New Year” to the neighborhood. Those family gatherings on that holiday with everyone munching snacks are some of the fondest I have of my childhood.

Once I was married, I brought the herring tradition and New Year’s Eve snack fest with me into my own marriage. My husband tried herring that first year. He got sick later that evening and blamed it on that delicious little fish. I suggested to him that it was more likely the fact that he was not pure German that did it — his heritage is a mix of German, Dutch and Luxembourger. Truth be told, the culprit was more likely his three Manhattans.

The family party at home remained a tradition until our sons were in college and returned home to go out with their friends. Then my husband and I most often spent quiet evenings at home waiting for their safe return. We have humorous memories involving each of them. We heard our oldest son come in the back door, but some time had passed without him coming into the living room to join us. My husband decided he had better check on him, which proved to be a good idea. He met him by the back door just in time to prevent him from cutting the shoelaces with a scissors so he could remove his shoes. He went upstairs to bed, and then we heard him make several trips back and forth from his bedroom to the bathroom. My husband then called him downstairs to sit up with us before trying to lay back down in bed. Apparently, dad was no stranger to the aftermath of over indulging with friends.

Our youngest son’s New Year’s Eve adventure involved the perils of navigating a very narrow upstairs hallway after imbibing with friends. My husband and I had plans that year ourselves, but figured we would easily arrive home before our son did. So, you can imagine our surprise when we pulled up in front of our house to find every light in every room shining brightly. We came in the back door, which had been left wide open, and made our way from room to room, turning lights off as we went. I went upstairs to see if our son was all right and noticed that the wreath that had been hanging in that very narrow hallway was no longer on the wall. I gently pushed open his bedroom door, and there he was, sound asleep in bed. Then I noticed that next to his bed, stacked in a nice neat pile, were his size 12 sneakers, his blue jeans, his shirt, and the wreath that had been hanging in the hallway. I had all I could do to keep from laughing out loud. At that point, I was relieved to see him sleeping in bed, safe and warm. We have had many a laugh about that incident over the years.

After both of our sons had graduated from college and were living their own lives, my husband and I, along with another couple who’ve been close friends for years, began celebrating New Year’s Eve together. We pick a destination, make motel and dinner reservations, and party in our rooms before going to dinner. Since they do the driving, my husband and I reserve a fancier room that becomes the party venue. We each bring the snacks, and they bring champagne for the midnight toast as we watch the ball drop with Anderson Cooper and his companion.

Over the years, we have welcomed in the new year together in many great restaurants and bed and breakfasts, and we have travelled in some pretty awful weather to get there. The worst trip we ever made was through blizzard conditions in Ironwood on the way to Bayfield. The whiteout was so bad that everyone was driving with lights flashing. We kept hitting rumble strips and could only guess if they were in the center or the side of the highway.

We’ve been to Marquette several times and stayed at The Landmark Inn. Back in the early years, Marquette did a ball drop from the top of a very tall building on Front Street. Just before midnight all of the restaurants and bars would empty out into the street and as the snowflakes were gently falling, someone was manually easing the ball down about 3 feet at a time before they had to change their grip. So that ball would make a dramatic pause on its trip down — several times. The ball, by the way, was a mass of chicken wire wrapped in lights. As low tech as it all was, those were some of the most fun years.

The last time we went to Marquette, they had moved the ball drop to Washington Street and electronically dropped the ball from the top of the Masonic Temple building which is only about three floors high. And the ball itself had gotten much more high tech, with electronic flashing lights and no chicken wire. It’s really lost its unique vibe.

We’ve also gone to Duluth, Bayfield, Escanaba, and Green Bay. This year, we are heading south to Appleton. We are staying at the Copperleaf Boutique Hotel and will eat at a Greek restaurant called Apollon.

While it is fun ringing out the old year and remembering all that has happened in the 12 months that have just flown by in a minute, it is also refreshing to think we have another year ahead. I make a new set of resolutions each year and “give it the old college try” to keep them. I have noticed that I have limited success when I make resolutions that only apply to me. Truth be told, I rarely make it to March before I cave in and fall back into old habits. So, I think I need to include my husband in on the resolution making. That way we can remind each other when we are tempted to break them. And I think it would also help if some of those resolutions were new and exciting things to do rather than simply habits we want to eliminate.

By the time you read this, the New Years holidays will be over. I hope your celebrations were happy, fun and safe. And I wish all of you all the best in the year ahead.

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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: Work on weekend packets; Sunday football.

Monday: Nails/room visits, 10 a.m.; cheese ball toss, 11 a.m.; Yahtzee, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Yarn club, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Old rock day, 10 a.m.; painting flower pots, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Room filled with bubbles, 10 a.m.; reading poems, 10:30 a.m.; horse racing, 2 p.m.

Friday: Taking donuts to Kingsford Public Safety and Iron Mountain Police Department, 10 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Weekend packet, 10 a.m.; “The Wall” on the Game Show Network, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; trivia teasers, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; bingorama, 2 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.; storytelling, 6 p.m.

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

Wednesday: Coffee social; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; parachute, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.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 Gayle, 2 p.m.

Friday: Hawaiian crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; Hawaiian luau, music and fun, 2 p.m.; island movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: “Price Is Right”/Name That Word, 9:30 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.  

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

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

Monday: Resident council meeting, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; after dinner reminiscing, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Shortbread Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; coloring club, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; news, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Bob Larson, 1:30 p.m.; desserts and conversations, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Winter Skin Relief Dayroom, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Apricot Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; January birthday party, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; afternoon coffee, 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: Spelling bee, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; resident council, 1 p.m.; Whammo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; current events, 10 a.m.; music with Bob Larson, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

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

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; short stories, 10 a.m.; board games, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: Hedbanz, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; call a friend.

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.; “Sunday Night Football”; coloring pages; daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; “You be the Judge,” 11 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; “Monday Night Football,” 6:45 p.m.; daily chronicles.

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

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; Pictionary, 11 a.m.; crafty Wednesday, 2 p.m.; Yahtzee, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo, 10:30 a.m.; off to the races, 2 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; “Thursday Night Football,” 7 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; paint and sip, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; Friday night movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

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

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week –

Tuesday: Baked chicken, roasted red potatoes, broccoli salad.

Wednesday: Barbecue pork sandwich, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw.

Thursday: Lemon pepper cod, baked potato, salad.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

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

Monday: Meatloaf, au gratin potatoes, corn.

Tuesday: Smothered chicken, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, pudding.

Wednesday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, green beans, garlic bread.

Thursday: Cheeseburger, macaroni and cheese, potato wedges.

Crystal Falls Center

Cooks: Debbie Bigalke (Mondays) and Jess Anderson (Tuesdays/Wednesdays)

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: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes.

Tuesday: Tacos.

Wednesday: Confetti spaghetti, meat sauce.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 244

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

Monday: Sloppy Joe with a bun, macaroni and cheese, potato wedges.

Tuesday: Italian cheddar bake with noodles, Italian vegetables, breadstick, cookies.

Wednesday: Broccoli and cheese soup, biscuit, fresh fruit.

Thursday: Chicken Florentine, broccoli, garlic bread.

Friday: Biscuit and gravy, oven-roasted potatoes, applesauce.

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage

For more information, call Sarah VanMarter at 906-774-2256, ext. 244.

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: Homemade pizza.

Tuesday: Salisbury steak and mashed potatoes and gravy.

Wednesday: Turkey-bacon wrap with chips.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken Alfredo, tater tot casserole, broccoli, side salad, fruit.

Tuesday: Shepherd’s pie, biscuits, carrots, fruit.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, baked potato, green beans, fruit, birthday cake.

Thursday: Chicken breast, mashed potatoes, sauteed spinach, fruit, cookies.

Friday: Fish sandwich, sweet potato fries, baked beans, fruit.

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

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. For reservations, call 715-589-4491. Homebound meals will be delivered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Florence Community Center

Meal site is closed until further notice. Florence homebound meals will be delivered on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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: Meatballs in gravy over mashed potatoes, corn, tropical fruit, whole wheat bread.

Tuesday: Chicken parmesan, spaghetti noodles, Brussel sprouts, Italian vegetables, whole wheat breadstick.

Wednesday: Turkey meatloaf, boiled red potatoes, green beans, diced peaches, whole wheat bread.

Thursday: Beef chili, copper penny salad, side salad with cheese and tomato, cornbread, fresh fruit.

Milk available at all meals.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Salad bar opens at 11 a.m., with the meal served at 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, salad bar opens at 3:30 p.m. with the meal at 4 p.m. Meals can be prepared for carryout.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Chili, grilled cheese sandwich.

Tuesday: Biscuits and gravy, sausage, egg.

Wednesday: Pizza, breadstick.

Thursday: Turkey dinner.

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: Italian sausage with peppers and onions, potato rounds, spinach salad with tomatoes, wheat dinner roll.

Wednesday: Chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes, biscuit, carrots, tropical fruit.

Thursday: Baked fish, baby baker potatoes, baked beans, cole slaw, rye bread.

Bingo on Tuesday and Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.

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: Sloppy Joes, fries, carrots, tropical fruit.

Tuesday: Ham and scalloped potatoes, biscuit, broccoli.

Wednesday: Meatballs with mashed potatoes and gravy, peas, pears.

Thursday: Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes and gravy, Brussel sprouts.

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. Dine-in meal is $5 and take-out meal is $6. Reservations are required and should specify if dining in or taking out. Come and enjoy a meal with us — all are welcome — any age. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Ham and cheese sliders, hashbrown casserole.

Wednesday: Chili, cornbread.

Thursday: Smoked chicken, roasted root vegetables.