NIAGARA, Wis. — We expect a great deal from those we have elected to run our country — and we should. The position of President of the United States is a huge responsibility — one with a worldwide impact. After all, the health of our nation — indeed the world — rests on that person’s shoulders.

We want these leaders to take the position and its inherent responsibilities seriously and to represent our nation in a manner that will make us proud to be an American. Sometimes those expectations do not allow us to remember that despite being the president of our country, these people are not much different than the rest of us.

I recently ran across an article that discussed the various presidents who not only had a sense of humor but also believed it essential to their position as president. George Washington once wrote, “It is assuredly better to go laughing than crying thro’ the rough journey of life.” Washington wasn’t the only commander-in-chief to highlight the importance of humor. Dwight D. Eisenhower saw it as fundamental to the job, saying, “A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done.”

Since humor is subjective, some presidential jokes missed the mark completely. Not everyone laughed when Herbert Hoover quipped, “Blessed are the young, for they shall inherit the national debt,” or when Jimmy Carter stated, “I have often wanted to drown my troubles, but I can’t seem to get my wife to go swimming.” And certainly not everyone would have found it funny that John Adams had a dog named Satan.

Some presidents were known for their sense of humor, whether it was Lincoln’s sarcasm, Reagan’s heartwarming wit or Obama’s fondness for dad jokes. Others became known more for their gaffes and unintentional word scrambles. Remember George W. Bush and his “Bushisms?” I still remember his phrase, “They misunderestimated me.”

Following are some examples of funny quotes from our presidents who were deliberately trying to get a laugh.

“If I had to name my greatest strength, I guess it would be my humility. Greatest weakness, it’s possible that I’m a little too awesome.” — Barack Obama

“There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is having lots to do and not doing it.” — Andrew Jackson

“If I was two-faced, would I be showing you this one?” — Abraham Lincoln

“He has no more backbone than a chocolate eclair.” — Theodore Roosevelt on William McKinley

“I’m not worried about the deficit; it’s big enough to take care of itself.” — Ronald Reagan

“How has retirement affected my golf game? A lot more people beat me now.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower

“When we got into office, the thing that surprised me most was to find that things were just as bad as we’d been saying they were.” — John F. Kennedy

“Being president is like being a jackass in a hailstorm. There’s nothing to do but to stand there and take it.” — Lyndon B. Johnson

“Some folks look at me and see a certain swagger. In Texas, we call it walkin’.” — George W. Bush

“My esteem in this country has gone up substantially. It is very nice now when people wave at me, they use all their fingers.” — Jimmy Carter

“I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent’s youth and inexperience.” — Ronald Reagan

“I’m so overexposed I make Paris Hilton look like a recluse.” — Barack Obama

“I have now come to the conclusion never again to think of marrying; and for this reason; I can never be satisfied with anyone who would be block-head enough to have me.” — Abraham Lincoln

“Being president is like running a cemetery; you’ve got a lot of people under you and nobody’s listening.” — Bill Clinton

“No matter how tough it gets, however, I have no intention of becoming a lame-duck president — unless, of course, Cheney accidentally shoots me in the leg.” — George W. Bush

“If one morning I walked on top of the water across the Potomac River, the headline that afternoon would read ‘President Can’t Swim.'” — Lyndon B. Johnson

“I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency, even if I’m in a Cabinet meeting.” — Ronald Reagan

“These days, I look in the mirror and I have to admit, I’m not the strapping young Muslim socialist that I used to be.” — Barack Obama

As you read through these quotations, they will remind you that despite their high ranking and huge responsibility, the presidents of our country have historically had a sense of humor — a trait that has helped them lead our nation and helped us to support their efforts.

——

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

Tuesday: Nail spa, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Balloon toss, 10 a.m.; coffee visit, 11 a.m.; skip-bo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Bean bag toss, 10 a.m.; reminisce, 11:30 a.m.; birthday party, 2 p.m.

Friday: Exercise, 10 a.m.; karaoke, 10:15 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Board games in the dining room, 10 a.m.; “The Wall” on the Game Show Network channel, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Happy Father’s Day. Room visits, 9 a.m.; fill in the blank, 10 a.m.; chair exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; afternoon matinee with popcorn, 1:30 p.m.

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

Tuesday: Just friends, 9 a.m.; book club, 9:30 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; ice cream outing, 1 p.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; garden club, 2 p.m.; classic movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/travel club, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; monthly birthday party with cake and music by Bob, 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, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; outdoor reminisce, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Word search/hangman 9:30 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 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.; movie and manicures, 2 p.m.; Father’s Day and first day of summer.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; Heartland, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; patio sunshine and garden time/refreshments, 2 p.m.; after dinner reminiscing, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; “shut the box” game, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; June birthday party with cake and ice cream, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9 a.m.; 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.; “Hook It” game, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; craft time with Dickinson County Library, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; Dr. Pol show, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; weekend pampering — hand massages and face masks, 2 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 social and resident choice game, 10 a.m.; individual communion, 10:15 a.m.; Father’s Day prize 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 social, 2 p.m.; game night, 5:15 p.m.

Tuesday: rosary/Communion service, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 p.m.; Pictionary, 10:15 a.m.; lunch outing to Culver’s, 11 a.m.; courtyard campfire, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; outdoor social, 10 a.m.; shopping outing to Dollar General, 12:30 p.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; iced tea social, 5:15 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; tall tale stories, 10 a.m.; fly swatter balloon game, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

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

Saturday: Scrabble match, 10 a.m.; Niagara Lions Club parade outing, 1:30 p.m.; courtyard games — cornhole, 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; coffee and doughnuts with dads, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:30 a.m.; church service, 1:30 p.m.; patio social, 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.

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

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

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo/fact of the day, 10:30 a.m.; Family Feud, 2 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; drama club, daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; can you picture this? 11:15 a.m.; Vicky and Dave, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; kickball, 10 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; Bible study, 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: French toast bake, sausage, boiled egg, muffin.

Wednesday: Chicken alfedo, vegetable, breadstick.

Thursday: Cheese burger deluxe, cheesy ranch potatoes, 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 meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week —

Monday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans.

Tuesday: Baked ham, sweet potatoes, corn, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Liver or substitute, roasted garlic potatoes, peas, biscuit, pudding.

Thursday: Chicken gravy over mashed potatoes, green beans, dinner roll.

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: Chicken bacon ranch wraps, french fries.

Tuesday: Homemade meatballs on homemade bun.

Wednesday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes, gravy.

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: Ham dinner, au gratin potatoes, candied carrots, apple crisp.

Tuesday: Chop suey with vegetables, rice, Mandarin oranges, fortune cookie.

Wednesday: Chicken Florentine casserole, buttered noodles, corn.

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, dinner roll.

Friday: Philly cheese sandwich with ground beef, macaroni and cheese, corn.

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: French toast, ham, fruit medley.

Tuesday: Meatballs with mashed potatoes and gravy.

Wednesday: Chicken Caesar wrap with potato chips.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Baked fish, oven fries, baked beans, fruit.

Tuesday: Swedish meatballs, buttered noodles, sauteed spinach, carrots, fruit.

Wednesday: Smothered pork chop, baked potato, broccoli, fruit, chocolate cheesecake fluff.

Thursday: Chicken gyro salad — tomato, onion, cucumber, lettuce, tzatziki, French bread, fruit.

Friday: Egg salad on marble rye bread, vegetable pasta salad, baby carrots, 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.

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: Red sauce turkey spaghetti, Scandinavian vegetables, corn, diced pears.

Tuesday: Hobo dinner, sliced potatoes and carrots, peas, apple slices, whole wheat bread.

Wednesday: Congregate Birthday party. Pork roast with gravy, parmesan red potatoes, Key West vegetables, diced peaches, whole wheat dinner roll, creamy orange cake.

Thursday: Chicken salad spread with lettuce, marinated green bean salad, fruited pudding, vegetable juice box, Zee Zee wheat crackers, whole wheat bread.

Milk available at all meals.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Lunch served Tuesday and Wednesday at noon, salad bar at 11:30 a.m. Thursday meal at 5 p.m., salad bar at 4:30 p.m.

Menu for the week –

Tuesday: Chef salad, broccoli cheese soup.

Wednesday: Tuna casserole, slaw, cornbread.

Thursday: Swedish meatballs over noodles, Brussels sprouts.

All meals are served with choice of skim milk, juice and dessert.

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. Transportation to the meal site is available.

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

Tuesday: Liver and onions, garlic mashed potatoes, broccoli, wheat dinner roll, orange fruit fluff.

Wednesday: Penne pasta with meat sauce, mixed vegetables, side salad with tomatoes, fruit juice, garlic bread.

Thursday: Cheeseburger on a bun, potato wedges, buttered beets, peach cobbler.

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: Liver or burger, mashed potatoes with gravy, wax beans.

Tuesday: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans.

Wednesday: Tacos, refried beans, Spanish rice.

Thursday: Spaghetti with Italian sausage, cauliflower, garlic bread.

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 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: Ham, scalloped potatoes.

Wednesday: Open-faced roast beef sandwich, mashed potatoes and gravy.

Thursday: Rigatoni, Italian sausage, garlic bread.