NIAGARA, Wis. — The evolution of the kitchen is an interesting one. Of all the rooms in a home, this one contains the most opportunity for advancement. It can be argued that the kitchen, as the center for the preparation of family meals, is also the hub of the home.

I remember the kitchens of my grandmother and mother, and I remember how my own kitchens have evolved over the years. And, being a huge fan of HGTV, I have plans for one more transformation of my current kitchen.

I recently read an article from “History Facts” that discussed six items that could be found in a kitchen 100 years ago. It painted a picture of how much more labor-intensive everyday chores were back then and was a testament to the many advances we have made over the years. These changes reflect both social changes and new technology.

In the 1920s and 1930s, kitchens were very utilitarian and focused on functionality and surfaces that were easy to clean. Appliances were limited, and those that were used were manual — as in hand mixers operated with a crank. By then, gas ovens had replaced wood- or coal-burning stoves, which would soon be replaced by electric ovens.

The post-World War II boom of the late 1940s and early 1950s brought with it bigger kitchens for entertaining that also contained labor-saving appliances such as blenders, electric mixers and dishwashers. Kitchen space continued to become more streamlined and functional, and by the 1960s and 1970s, countertop food processors and microwave ovens were commonplace.

As the kitchen became more of a hub of family activity in the 1980s and 1990s, as well as a place for friends to gather, they adopted a more open concept, with islands that encouraged people to gather while a meal was being prepared.

As we moved into the 21st century, there has been a significant shift toward high-tech kitchens and smart appliances. Also, the kitchen is no longer utilitarian, as modern design has made it as pretty a place as any other room in the house. Changes in food preparation as well as the evolution of the kitchen’s function have brought such change that many of the items commonly found in the kitchen a century ago would not even be recognized today. See if you remember any of these items —

— The icebox was used to keep perishable food cool long before the availability of the modern electric refrigerator. Made of wood or metal, they had a compartment for ice at the top, and cold air circulated around the food while a drip pan collected the water as the ice melted. Fresh ice was delivered each week by an iceman. General Electric introduced the first affordable electric refrigerators in 1927, the year my mother was born.

— Believe it or not, the butter churn was used up until the 1940s. In the early-20th century, the Dazey Churn & Manufacturing Company began the production of the glass butter churn that could make smaller batches of butter more quickly. Once the butter was churned, it could then be poured or pressed into decorative molds for serving. Eventually, commercial butter production made it possible to buy butter from the grocery store.

— Long before the advent of the KitchenAid stand mixer or the invention of the electric hand mixer, homemakers used the manual hand mixer — also known as the rotary egg beater. These were first developed in the 1850s and had two beaters that rotated when a crank was turned. These were widely used in the 1920s when only two-thirds of households had electricity. My grandmother whipped everything by hand. And when my mother made her potato salad, I had the job of mixing the mayonnaise and milk with a fork inside a measuring cup.

Today, my electric hand-held mixer makes short work of a job I hated as a kid. And while I did not get my KitchenAid mixer until two years ago, I have always had a hand-held electric mixer.

— We are not a coffee drinking household, so are not familiar with the coffee grinder. But, a manual wall-mounted coffee grinder was a necessary household accessory prior to 1920, when ground coffee became available in bags and cans in grocery stores. This grinder had a glass container that held a pound of whole beans, a hand crank, and a container with tablespoon markings that caught the ground coffee. Our oldest son adopted the coffee drinking habit when he was on a Boy Scout camping trip. He buys the whole bean and has a counter-top electric coffee grinder so he can prepare it freshly ground each morning.

— According to the article I found, the recipe card box has fallen by the wayside in favor of digital recipes stored on apps and websites. I find that a little sad. Certainly, it is more efficient, and it is handy to be able to adjust the size of the print as we age, but I liked that little recipe card box on my kitchen counter. I still have recipe cards from my sorority sisters who each brought one to my bridal shower. And I have favorite family recipes on cards, including one for “Grandma Gertie’s One Egg Cake.” It was hard for my grandmother to come up with that written recipe because she always baked and cooked from memory and instinct. Now, I collect cards in a vinyl file and also print them off on my computer to be stored in a three-ring binder.

Speaking of my grandmother, I cannot end this column today without mentioning her. She was the quintessential farmer’s wife having grown up on a farm herself as the eldest of nine children. She was the absolute best cook in the world. She baked all of her own bread and, on occasion, would give my mother a loaf which the four of us kids would have eaten in a day. During duck hunting season on the farm, she would bring us a porcelain kettle of mud hen prepared in the tastiest of ways. Her pantry on the farm was a testament to her cooking. She had a huge crock of flour and one a little smaller of sugar — baking was a part of every week, and every meal ended in dessert. That pantry also held a big tin milk can filled with shelled hickory nuts that had come from the hickory tree grove at the end of the driveway. Other shelves held home-canned vegetables from her garden and preserved jars of venison. I loved watching her cook. She made the best meals on an old cook stove that was part propane gas and part wood burning. My grandmother’s kitchen and pantry were reflections of her and her dedication to her family.

Certainly, times change, and with the passage of generations, customs evolve as well. While the recipe box may be gone from the kitchen counter and the tools of the homemaker may have changed, the kitchen remains the heart of the home … and the stuff of childhood memories.

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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: Strong Tower Church, 2 p.m.

Monday: “The Price Is Right” on CBS, 10 a.m.; movie in the dining room, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Communion with Don and Donna, 10 a.m.; nail spa, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Bible study, 10 a.m.; coffee chat, 10:30 a.m.; around the clock, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Tic tac toe, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; learning macrame, 1:30 p.m.; Yahtzee, 6:30 p.m.

Friday: Work out to disco music, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Board games in dining room, 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.; name that word, 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.; resident council, 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 3 p.m.; web browsing, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; shopping trip, 12:30 p.m.; travel film, 1 p.m.; throw away bingo, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Community breakfast, 8:15 a.m.; Titanic travel club, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; Dan’s songs for seniors, 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, 2 p.m.; happy hour with Jim, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Getting pretty, 9:30 a.m.; men’s club, 10 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; spring celebration with Whispering Donkey, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Puzzler/how do you feel? 10 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: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; hangman, 2 p.m.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; social hour, 10 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.; magazines, 10 a.m.; room visits/leisure cart, 11 a.m.; spring craft, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; social hour, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Bethany Lutheran Church, 2 p.m.; desserts and conversations, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; current events and news, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Iron Mountain-Kingsford Women’s Club activity, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; social hour, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; movie and afternoon coffee, 2 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

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

This is National Volunteer Week. Thank you to all of the home’s volunteers.

Sunday: Divine Mercy Sunday. Hot cocoa social and resident choice game, 10 a.m.; individual 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 p.m.; what’s the scoop ice cream cones, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; you be the judge, 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.; Uno, 10:15 a.m.; Bible stories with Pastor Ed, 1 p.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Scrabble, 10 a.m.; board games, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

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

Saturday: Hedbanz, 10 a.m.; movie and popcorn, 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, 11:30 a.m.; church service, 1:30 p.m.; vintage commercials from the ’70s, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages; daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; you be the judge, 11 a.m.; manicure Monday, 2 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; 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.; Pictionary, 11 a.m.; Bob Larson, 2 p.m.; Bologna, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo/joke of the day, 10:30 a.m.; Celtic band, 2 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; drama club; 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.; game night, 6 p.m.; drama club, daily chronicles.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; exercise group, 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: Cheese ravioli with meat sauce, vegetable, salad.

Wednesday: Hot chicken over mashed potatoes, vegetable, wheat bread.

Thursday: Scalloped potatoes and ham, vegetable, cole slaw.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

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

Monday: Brats, potato wedges, baked beans.

Tuesday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans.

Wednesday: Liver and onions (or substitute), seasoned rice, carrots, garlic and cheese biscuit, pudding cup.

Thursday: Evening meal, 3:30 p.m. salad bar, 4 p.m. meal — Baked ham, scalloped potatoes, hard roll, broccoli, fruit crumble.

Crystal Falls Center

906-875-6709

The center 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 a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: New item — Chicken, bacon ranch wrap, french fries.

Tuesday: Pizza made with homemade crusts.

Wednesday: New item — Barbecue ribs with sauerkraut, baked potatoes.

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: French bread pizza, mixed vegetables, applesauce.

Tuesday: Pineapple pork fried rice, Oriental vegetables, whole wheat bun.

Wednesday: Grandma’s corn chowder, biscuit with butter, pudding parfait.

Thursday: Ham dinner, au gratin potatoes, green beans, biscuit with butter.

Friday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian blend vegetables, garlic bread.

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: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy.

Tuesday: Homemade pizza with pepperoni and sausage.

Wednesday: Evening meal – baked ham, sweet potatoes, vegetable.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Pizza casserole, dark green salad, fruit.

Tuesday: Brunch – scrambled eggs, sausage or bacon, hash browns, pancake bites, fruit.

Wednesday: Barbecue pork riblet, parsley potatoes, cole slaw, fruit, magic cookie bars.

Thursday: Baked fish nuggets, sweet potato fries, baked beans, fruit.

Friday: Turkey ranch wrap, vegetable pasta salad, pea and cheese salad, fruit.

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

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

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

Florence Community Center

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

Fence Town Hall

Serving at noon Wednesdays 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: Chicken teriyaki, brown rice, Oriental vegetables, Oriental salad, warm cinnamon peaches.

Tuesday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, Brussel sprouts, vegetable, whole wheat breadstick, fruit cup.

Wednesday: Homestyle meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, diced pears, whole wheat bread.

Thursday: French toast sausage bake, oven potatoes, stewed tomatoes, fruit and yogurt parfait.

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: French bread pizza, mixed vegetables, applesauce.

Tuesday: Pineapple pork fried rice, Oriental vegetables, whole wheat bun.

Wednesday: Grandma’s acorn squash chowder, biscuit with butter, pudding parfait.

Thursday: Ham dinner, au gratin potatoes, green beans, biscuit with butter.

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.

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

Tuesday: Beef stroganoff, noodles, Brussel sprouts, wheat dinner roll, fresh orange.

Wednesday: Honey garlic chicken, brown rice, green peas, side salad, pears.

Thursday: Baked fish, sweet potato tots, baked beans, cole slaw, rye bread.

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: Chicken Kiev, rice, mixed vegetables.

Tuesday: Cheeseburger, fries, cole slaw.

Wednesday: Dinner at 4 p.m. – Barbecue ribs, baked potato, candied carrots.

Thursday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots.

Board meeting on Thursday.

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.

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. Dine-in meal is $5 and takeout 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: Tater tot casserole, mixed vegetables.

Wednesday: Taco bar.

Thursday: Pulled pork sandwich, potato salad, cole slaw.