NIAGARA, Wis. — As the weather turns warmer and more and more snow melts away, my thoughts turn to summer and future plans: people I want to travel to visit, jaunts around the U.P. to places my husband and I haven’t seen in a while, and quality time spent lounging on our deck with friends as we sit around the fire table in the evenings drinking cocoa laced with the alcohol of our choice.

My mind also turns to the memories of my childhood, and the fun we used to have when the rigors of school were set aside for three precious months of fun and sleeping late.

When we were really young, we had a babysitter; her name was Mrs. Peschke. Although she was strict with the four of us, she baked us cookies and cupcakes and made sure we did not hurt ourselves while climbing trees.

We lived in a variety of neighborhoods, and our classmates were our summer playmates. One of my favorite games was “Queen For A Day,” modeled after the television show. Women would come on the program and describe the difficulties in their lives, which generally revolved around the fact that they had loads of children, no job skills themselves, and a husband who had been injured and could not work — typical tough times for the late 1950s. The audience had to vote on whose situation was the most bleak, and that woman would then win a variety of things that would make her life easier. As my friends and I told our tales of woe to other friends who played the audience, one of us would invariably win a new car and a new washing machine guaranteed to improve our lives.

When not playing “Queen for A Day,” we played doll hospital. Our dolls were our children, and they were in the hospital with pneumonia. As their mothers, we had to stay in the hospital with them, and our husbands had to stay home and make their own supper. This pretend situation was based on real life; I’d had pneumonia along with measles. Thankfully, I was able to stay home because our family doctor stopped in to see me twice each day on his way to and from the hospital, which was just up the street from our house. But when my sister came down with the same thing, she ended up in the hospital.

As I got a little older, another friend and I read the series of Nancy Drew mystery books. We then made up our own mystery stories and became two young “girl detectives.” We scoped out our neighborhood for things that “needed investigating,” actually prowling through the neighbors’ yards and around their houses looking for clues that would make them guilty of imaginary crimes. We did the same thing throughout the public library — of all places.

We took miles-long bike rides through the back country roads. We were familiar with the different routes because we had driven so often with our mother on the way to our grandparents’ farm.

Our grandparents were always there, and grandma gave us snacks before we rode home. Sometimes we would stop at our uncle’s service garage where he fixed farm equipment and cars. He explained the entire internal combustion engine before I even had it covered in eighth grade science class. Not too many girls back then were interested in pistons and cylinders, but I found it fascinating how they all worked together to make a car run.

Family entertainment was cheap. My mom took us to the outdoor movie theater on buck night when a carload could get in for only $1. She packed a picnic bag of treats for us, as the movies were always double features. And they were always scary movies: “Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte” and “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” were two I still remember. I guess she figured we’d fall asleep eventually — we came dressed in our pajamas — but we never did.

One summer my mom– who had the spirit of an adventurer herself — decided that she was going to take us on a drive around Lake Winnebago. She had never done this before, and we had no road map, but she figured she could find her way around. Well, we got into Appleton, where she had never been before. We literally were driving in circles — going over the same bridge three times. We got the giggles and finally got out of that city. After that, she figured she had better head for home. Although we did not make it around the lake, we still had a very memorable day.

I babysat for many more families over the summer months, and was lucky to land a full-time childcare position the summer before I started high school. I saved all my money to buy school clothes. As I got older, my summers were filled with seasonal jobs connected to Ripon College. My mom worked full-time, and the summer was her busiest period as the college got ready for a new freshman class. Long before computers, she typed multiple letters to inform the incoming newbies of everything they needed to know to hit the ground running in the fall when classes started. I made some spending money by typing the addresses on all of the envelopes and then stuffing them with whatever information had to get mailed.

When I was in high school, I worked at the college book store where I checked in all of the books professors had ordered for their classes in the coming year. And later I worked in Lane Library, where I shelved cart after cart of books that students had returned before they went home for vacation. My siblings and I never resented working through our summers when we were old enough for a work permit. We considered ourselves fortunate to have the opportunity.

The inspiration for today’s column came from an article my husband found:

Running through the sprinklers. Chasing down the ice cream truck. Riding bikes with friends around the neighborhood and swinging so high that the poles lifted up out of the ground. Picking blueberries. Catching fireflies. No internet. No cell phones. No social media. We headed home when the street lights came on. Those were the summers of my childhood … how lucky I was to have grown up before technology took over the world.

Fortunately, our sons — who are now 54 and 50 years old (how did that happen?) — had similar summertime experiences. After supper they went back outside and played around the neighborhood until dark — the street lights guiding them home. Invaluable lessons were learned about getting along with other kids, making compromises, devising rules for games they invented themselves. Their imaginations were limitless. As they got older, they found summer jobs at fast food places where they took advantage of free hamburgers. They learned how to earn money. Back then, no one spent time with their noses in cell phones, lap tops or tablets. I miss those days.

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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: Church on TV, 10 a.m.; have fun with the weekend packet, 6 p.m.

Monday: “The Price Is Right” on CBS, 10 a.m.; movie in the dining room, 1:30 p.m.; bingo, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Nail spa, 10 a.m.; memory care, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Bible study, 10 a.m.; coffee chat, 10:30 a.m.; Yahtzee, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday: Trivia, 11:45 a.m.; learning macrame, 1:30 p.m.;

Friday: Let’s work out to the ’60s, 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.; reminisce, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.

Monday: Memory books, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 3 p.m.; reminisce, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; wildlife film, 1 p.m.; volleyball, 2 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/Animal Kingdom, 9:30 a.m.; parachute, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; garden 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.; mystery ride, 1 p.m.; “You be the Judge,” 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: ICMCF word search/high rollers, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; classic movie, 6 p.m.  

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bean bag toss, 2 p.m.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day, 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.; social hour, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Flippo card game, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Earth Day; Immaculate Conception church, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; desserts and conversations, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; movie theater day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; movie day/coloring club, 2 p.m.

Friday: Arbor Day; coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; social hour, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Coffee time, 9 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Yahtzee, 2 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

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

National Volunteer Week — thank you to all our volunteers.

Sunday: Coffee and trivia, 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.; jokereno, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; crafting — floral arrangements, 10 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Earth Day, rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; Earth Day craft, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; Pictionary, 10 a.m.; music by Jim Edberg, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

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

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

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information was available.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

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; bean bag toss, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:30 a.m.; church service, 1:30 p.m.; ’70s fashion fads, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages; daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; travelogue, 11 a.m.; bowling, 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.; rummy, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Earth Day. Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; “Wheel of Fortune,” 11 a.m.; crafty Wednesday, 2 p.m.; Yahtzee, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

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

Friday: Arbor Day. Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; glamor day, 11:15 a.m.; Vicky and Dave, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.; drama club, daily chronicles.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; chair exercise, 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: Loaded baked potato, ham slider, salad.

Wednesday: Wet burrito, seasoned corn, chips and salsa.

Thursday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, bread.

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: Pasty pie, corn, applesauce.

Tuesday: Baked turkey, buttered noodles, Italian vegetables.

Wednesday: Deluxe hamburger, seasoned potato wedges, baked beans.

Thursday: Hearty pork stew, garlic and cheese biscuit, apple crisp.

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: Baked potato bar with mixed vegetables.

Tuesday: Lasagna, garlic bread.

Wednesday: New item — breaded catfish, macaroni and cheese.

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: Sweet and sour chicken with fried rice, Oriental vegetables, fortune cookie.

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

Wednesday: Fish with Hollandaise sauce, roasted potatoes, Brussel sprouts, biscuit.

Thursday: Sloppy Joe with a bun, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries.

Friday: Turkey and cheese wrap, baked potato chips, yogurt parfait, Mandarin oranges.

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: Chili, grilled cheese sandwiches.

Tuesday: Country style ribs, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes and gravy.

Wednesday: Tater tot casserole.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Mushroom Swiss burger, baked beans, cucumber salad, fruit.

Tuesday: Cook’s choice – entree, vegetable, red vegetable, fruit.

Wednesday: Pasty, cole slaw, fruit, Kit-Kat bars.

Thursday: Barbecue chicken, oven-roasted potatoes, side salad, fruit.

Friday: Stuffed pepper casserole, cornbread, fruit.

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

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving on site Mondays through Fridays at 11:30 a.m. 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: Barbecue pulled pork, whole wheat hamburger bun, root vegetable blend, five-way mixed vegetables, apple slices.

Tuesday: Mild orange chicken, brown rice, Oriental vegetables, diced carrots, pineapple-orange mix.

Wednesday: Shepherd’s pie, corn, fruit crisp, whole wheat bread.

Thursday: Swedish turkey meatballs, egg noodles, winter vegetable blend, diced beets, fruit cup, whole wheat bread.

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

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

Wednesday: Fish with hollandaise sauce, roasted potatoes, Brussel sprouts, biscuit.

Thursday: Sloppy Joe with a bun, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries.

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

Tuesday: Pork chop, baby red potatoes, corn, wheat roll, fruit cocktail.

Wednesday: Chicken parmesan, fettuccine, broccoli, side salad with tomatoes.

Thursday: Manhattan meatballs, brown rice, mixed vegetables, three-bean salad, peach dump cake.

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: Lasagna, garlic bread, cauliflower.

Tuesday: Philly cheesesteak sandwich, tater barrels, broccoli.

Wednesday: Chef salad with vegetables, ham, chicken, and hard-boiled egg, breadstick.

Thursday: Chicken Alfredo, breadstick, Brussel sprouts.

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: Philly cheese steak sandwich, macaroni and cheese.

Wednesday: Italian turkey sandwich, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy.

Thursday: Barbecued country-style ribs, baked potato, vegetable.