IRON MOUNTAIN — Since I started writing this column, I have kept my eyes open for material that will be of interest to those of you who decide to read it; I want it to be helpful and worth your time. I have been struck by a common theme of “choice” in much of the information I have found so far. We have so much more control than we think as we make our way through this aging process. We can control to a large extent how healthy we are by the choices we make. What we eat, how much we exercise, and how much sleep we get are all under our control. And we can choose how we react to stress and our general attitude toward daily life.

I used to tell my boys as they were growing up that it was important for them to remember they were the captains of their own ships. As they made their way through their lives, there would be plenty of other people telling them what they should do and lots of enticements to take a wrong turn on their journeys. They needed to remember that they made the decisions, they charted their course because it was their journey to make; their lives would be the sum total of the choices they made along the way so choose wisely and don’t let others lead them away from their goals.

The same can be said for this time of our lives. We are still alive and kicking and making decisions every day that affect the quality of the years we have left. How we view ourselves as seniors has everything to do with how we live the remainder of our lives. Do we see ourselves as “too old” to pursue our interests? Or do we find a way to participate in life with some modifications to help us? One of the activities of my recent 50th high school class reunion was a two-hour tour of the newly remodeled high school. I really wanted to see it, but I knew two hours of walking and standing on hard floors was going to be extremely difficult for my aging, arthritic back and knees. I had a choice to make. I could attend if I brought along a wheeled walker or I could “save face” and skip it all together. I am so glad I opted to take the tour… and no one batted an eye at my walker.

I read a parable recently in Maryhill Manor’s monthly newsletter called “The Story of the Cracked Pot,” the author is unknown. Here it is…

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots. Each hung on the ends of a pole, which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. But at the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and one-half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfection and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day saying, “I am ashamed of myself because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.”

The old woman smiled and said, “Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace my house.”

There is a lot to be learned from this very simple story. First, the old woman made a choice to make the most of a difficult situation. She did not get angry. She did not bemoan her bad luck at having a pot that could not hold a full amount of water. She did not blame the pot for being inadequate. Instead, she chose to see the best in the cracked pot and realized that it still had usefulness and great potential. Instead of discarding the pot for no longer being able to carry out its purpose, she found a way for it to serve a different purpose. She saw beyond its handicap and age.

We need to ask ourselves, at this stage of life especially, “Can we be the old woman?” When we are faced with a new and difficult situation, can we find its silver lining? Over the years, as my husband and I have faced life’s many challenges, we got to the point where we would say, “Well, it could always be worse. At least this or that did not happen.” It did not change the situation — we still had a problem — but it helped whittle that problem down to a more manageable size and gave us the inner fortitude to keep trying. Some solutions worked better than others, but at least that perspective gave us the energy to keep moving forward and not dwell on our present misfortune.

The second lesson is, I think, the most powerful. The old woman chose to tell the pot. She helped the pot see the best in itself and complimented it. She showed the pot, through her own actions, that it still had worth and could still serve a purpose. And it was not just any purpose. Now, in addition to the very helpful task of delivering some water, it could also bring beauty into the old woman’s world. Can we do this for others or for ourselves? Can we see our imperfections — goodness knows aging brings plenty of them — and overlook them because we know that we have other attributes that are just as worthy? And can we help someone else find their continued value even as they age?

There is no doubt that aging can be daunting. We get tired more easily and cannot get as much done in a day. But we can still accomplish tasks — it just takes longer, but we do have the time now that we are no longer going to work every day. We certainly have more aches and pains, but we can discuss them with our physician to learn what to do to compensate. We can still be active although not for as long or as far. My husband and I will no longer be climbing Hog Back Mountain or taking a 6-mile hike over wooded terrain, but we can enjoy a stroll through the woods on an easy trail for a short distance and then sit on a park bench overlooking Lake Superior.

Eventually, we all become cracked pots. But we can continue to be of use to society and we can remind each other that we can still contribute to the world around us. Believe that you can still make a difference, and remind your spouse and friends of their value to your life… and you are more likely to notice the flowers that have been growing in your path all along.

——

SENIOR LIVING

FACILITIES

Freeman

Kingsford

Scenes and sounds, 11:30 a.m. Sunday through Saturday.

Sunday: Ring toss, 1 p.m.; dunking donuts, 2 p.m.; church, 2:15 p.m.

Monday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; resident council, 11 a.m.; library cart, 1:30 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; ice cream social, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Crafts and gardening, 10:30 a.m.; reminisce, 1:15 p.m.; Kentucky Derby, 2 p.m.; evening visitor, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; rosary, 10:30 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Reading buddy, 11 a.m.; Bible study, 1:15 p.m.; pokereno, 2 p.m.; afternoon visitor, 3:30 p.m.; “Lawrence Welk,” 4:30 p.m.

Friday: Catholic Mass 11 a.m.; Pictionary, 1:15 p.m.; sing along, 2:30 p.m.; happy hour, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Meet and greet, 10:30 a.m.; daily newspaper, 11 a.m.; oldies but goodies, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; evening news, 6 p.m.

Iron County 

Medical Facility

Crystal Falls

Sunday: One-to-one church visitors, 8:30 to 11 a.m.; room visits, 9 to 11 a.m.; reminisce, 10 a.m.; afternoon matinee with popcorn, 1:30 p.m.; Church of Christ, 3 p.m.

Monday: Cooking, 9 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; DT luncheon, noon; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Book Club, 10 a.m.; Mass, 10 a.m.; alpaca farm, noon; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; bonfire, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/animal kingdom, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; Garden Club, 1 p.m.; senior bball, 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.; St. Mark’s, 2 p.m.; happy hour, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; penny ante, 2 p.m.; activity council, 3 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: ICMCF Auxiliary Flea Market, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; room-to-room bingo/Yahtzee,10 a.m.; geri-gym, 11 p.m.; intergenerational social hour, 2 p.m.

ManorCare

Kingsford

Wet your whistle: 9:30 a.m. Sunday through Saturday.

Exercise: 10 a.m. Sunday through Saturday.

Movie: 10:45 a.m. Sunday through Saturday and 3:15 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Popcorn Day: Every Friday

Sunday: Just jokes, 10:15 a.m.; morsels and more, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant church, 3 p.m.

Monday: Did you know? 10:15 am.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Pokeno on the patio, weather permitting, 5:45 p.m.

Tuesday: Trivia 10:15 a.m.; Lucky 13, 2 p.m.; movie and manicure, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Table talk, 10:15 a.m.; Paula D show, 2 p.m.; flip five, 5:45 p.m.

Thursday: Crosswords, 10:15 a.m.; good neighbor bingo, 2 p.m.; crazy for cards, 5:45 p.m.

Friday: All about August, 10:15 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 2 p.m.; chips and chatter, 2:30 p.m.

Saturday: Current events, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Maryhill Manor

Niagara, Wis.

Rosary, 8:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9:30 a.m. on Friday.

Sunday: Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; Family Feud, 10:15 a.m.; music bingo, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant service, 2:30 p.m.; Christian fellowship, 5:30 p.m.

Monday: Pictionary, 10:15 a.m.; line dancers, 1 p.m.; nickel jokereno, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Current events, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Yahtzee, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday: Derby day, 10:15 a.m.: jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; campfire/Crystal Hogan, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; Scattegories, 10:15 a.m.; courtyard social, 2 p.m.; whammo, 6:15 p.m.

Friday: Ball toss, 10:15 a.m.; trivia, 10:30 a.m.; happy hour with Denise, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Crafts, 10:15 a.m.; courtyard watermelon social, 2 p.m.; pamper and polish, 5:45 p.m.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

Juice time, 10 a.m. Sunday through Saturday.

Exercise, 11 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Shopping days: 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, must sign up.

Sunday: Bible study, 1:30 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Monday: Bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Craft class, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 2 p.m., refreshments, 3 p.m. 

Thursday: Left-center-right, 2 p.m.; rosary, 3 p.m.

Friday: Bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Florence Health Services

Florence, Wis.

Morning news, 6 a.m. daily.

Sunday: Church with Pastor Doug, 10 a.m.; trivia, 2 p.m.; reading, 6 p.m.

Monday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; music with Crystal, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Pastor Doug, 10 a.m.; chair exercise, 2 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Shopping trip, 9 a.m.; Flippo, 2 p.m.; social hour, 3 p.m.; trivia, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Schedule not available.

Friday: Schedule not available.

Saturday: Schedule not available.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

Sunday: Grace church, 10:15 a.m.; trivia, 10:30 a.m.; Lutheran service, 2 p.m.; reminiscing, 3:30 p.m.

Monday: Life connections, 9:45 a.m.; sensory, 10 a.m.; busy bee, 12:45 p.m.; dancing grannies, 2 p.m.; rosary, 2:30 p.m.; sensory, 3:30 p.m.; Yahtzee, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Fishing outing, 6 a.m.; busy bee, 12:45 p.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; reminiscing, 3:30 p.m.; room visits, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: DeYoung Zoo, 10:30 a.m.; busy bee, 12:45 p.m.; cards, 2 p.m.; trivia, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday: Exercise, 10 a.m.; busy bee, 12:45 p.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Friday: Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; busy bee, 12:45 a.m.; outside social, 2 p.m.; Trouble, 3:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Rummy, 10 a.m.; bunco, 10:30 a.m.; social circle, 2 p.m.; manicures, 2 p.m.

SENIOR CENTERS

Note: All centers ask for 24-hour advanced reservations for lunch. If you have meals delivered and will not be home, notify the Center.

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

Meal at noon every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Lunch at noon.

Bingo on Tuesdays.

Free meal drawing on Thursdays.

Breen Center

906-774-5110

Meals Monday through Friday.

Pasty sale every third Saturday of the month — except on holidays.  

Cards and games available 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m. 

Hostess on duty Monday through Friday.   

Treats and coffee, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Center retail store is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday; volunteers and donations are welcome.

Birthdays acknowledged every day.

Evening meals are on the first and third Thursday of the month. Salad bar opens at 4 p.m., with dinner at 5 p.m. Donations are $4 for those 60 and older and $5 for 60 and younger.

Crystal Falls Center

Head cook: Lucy Korhonen

906-875-6709

Suggested meal donations: $5 for those 60 and older; $6 for 60 and younger; $1 extra for take-out.

Call center by 1 p.m. with name and number of people to reserve meals.

Open: Monday through Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.. soup and salad bar and 5 p.m., dinner.

Mondays: Basket weaving after dinner — all are welcome for dinner and/or class. Beginners can make their first basket with materials provided.

Menu for the week of July 29 was unavailable.

Crystal Lake Center

906-774-5888

The center is closed on weekends.

Monday: Woodcarvers, 10 a.m.; mahjong in dining hall, noon; Les Artistes Art Club, noon; Bridge Club, 12:15 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday: Pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Thursdays: Two-person team cribbage from 12:30 to 3:30 pm.

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: Billiards, 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday: Spinning Spools Quilters Guild, 1 p.m., crafters, scrapbookers and others also welcome; knitting and crocheting class, 1 to 3 p.m.

Friday: Smear, 12:30 p.m.

Last Saturday of the month: Music jam starting at 1 p.m. Admission is free. 

The Photo Club meets 1 to 3 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month.  

The kitchen is currently closed due to plumbing issues, and meals are being served at the Breen Center. Christine McMahon has information for all meals and can be reached at 906-774-2256, ext. 235. For transportation, call Buzzin’ Around Town at 906-282-0492. Rides are $3 for age 60 and older, and $3.50 for younger than 60. 

Transportation is available from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Meals served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Wednesday.

Bingo after lunch on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

A congregate jigsaw puzzle is done daily.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Suggested donation for seniors older than 60 is $4 per meal. Residents younger than 60 must pay $7. Reservations and cancellations needed 48-hours in advance.

The ADRC can assist area seniors and those with disabilities with transportation Monday through Friday. Transportation reservation should be made with meal reservation. Other assistance includes: information on aging, benefits specialist, and care-giver support.

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

Meal reservations can be made by calling 855-528-2372.

Meal at noon Wednesdays only — menu under Florence Center information. Reservations are requested. Cribbage and cards are available.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

Meal reservations can be made by calling 715-528-4261.

Home-delivered meals are available as always. Meal is served at 11:30 a.m. at this center Monday through Thursday. 

Menu for the coming week: 

Monday: Brat on a bun, sauerkraut, mac and cheese, three bean salad, and pears.

Tuesday: Baked fish, baked sweet potato, cauliflower, and fruit.

Wednesday: Porcupine meatballs, mashed potatoes, beets, and watermelon.

Thursday: Cooks choice — entree, dark green vegetables, and fruit.

Friday: Beef stew with vegetables, biscuits, and fruit cocktail.

Tipler Town Hall

Meal reservations can be made by calling 715-674-2320.

Serving lunch at noon on the second Thursday of the month – menu at Florence Center.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora, Wis.

Meal reservations can be made by calling 715-589-4491.

Meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday — menu under the Florence Center information. Transportation arrangements can be made to and from the meal site.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Pam Haluska

906-498-7735

Meal is at noon Monday through Friday. Suggested donation is $3 for age 60 and older and $7 for those younger than 60. Morning coffee is available daily.

Fifteen games of “fun bingo” are played each Tuesday and Friday, along with a 50-50 drawing.

Tuesday: Bingo, 12:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Cards played in the afternoon. Call ahead to see if a game will be going on.

Friday: Bingo, 12:45 p.m.

Monday through Friday: Walking in the gym, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A treadmill also is available.

Enjoy friendly interaction with other crafters.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Meals served 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; a $4 donation is encouraged from those 60 and older, and a $5 payment is required from those younger than 60. Thursday meal, 3:30 p.m. soup, 4 p.m. salad bar, with dinner at 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Home-delivered meals are available — call 906-774-2256 and speak to Christine Tramontine at ext. 235 or Stephen at ext. 230.

Menu for the coming week:

Monday: Hot beef sandwiches, mashed potatoes, green beans, fruit and milk.

Tuesday: Sweet and sour chicken, rice, oriental vegetables, roll, fruit and milk.

Wednesday: Brats, sauerkraut, potato salad, calico beans, fruit and milk.

Thursday: Menu unavailable.

Niagara Northwoods Senior Cafe and Center

Meal site manager: Corrie Maule, 715-251-1603

Senior center director: Jill Anderson, 715-251- 4154

Noon meals served Monday through Thursday. Transportation is available to the meal site for those living in the Niagara, Wis., area. We welcome any senior groups who would like to use the meal site as a meeting place — join us for lunch and then stay for a meeting or social time. Wii games, cards, puzzles and board games are available to play. 

Other activities are in the works — suggestions are always welcome. 

Those who have not been at the meal site/senior center are invited to give it a try. Those who haven’t been here in a while are encouraged to come back.

Norway Center

Director: Susie Slining

906-563-8716

Monday through Thursday: Meals served at noon, with salad bar. Soup also is available at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Milk, juice, bread, fruit, tea and coffee served daily. Meal donation is $5. Reservation for the meal should be made in advance.

Two special-themed meals take place each month on Tuesday, with bingo, prizes and a 50-50 drawing.

Two evening meals offered at 5 p.m. on the first Monday and third Wednesday of the month, with bingo, prizes and a 50-50 drawing.

The menu for the coming week:

Monday: Finnish pancakes, sausage, hash browns, strawberries, muffin, orange juice, and salad bar.

Tuesday: Chicken pot pie, mixed, potato wedges, fruit, soup and salad bar, juice, and dessert.

Wednesday: Chicken breast with swiss cheese and mushrooms, rice, salad bar, fruit, juice, and dessert.

Thursday: Menu not available.

Cards are played daily after the noon meal.

Craft and exercise classes: Mondays and Thursdays.

Ceramic and art classes: Wednesdays.

Puzzles always in the works.

A senior coloring class meets daily. All are welcome. Some materials will be provided.

Note: File of Life packets available at the center.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Meals: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11:45 a.m. Cards: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Commodities every other month and quarterly commodities are every three months. A puzzle table is available to enjoy. Volunteers are always welcome.