I believe that the ability to be spontaneous is one of the best things about retirement. This past Tuesday, I set aside my usual need to plan and acted on a whim. I am so glad that I did, because I was able to make a bit of a pilgrimage to put a piece of my past to rest. It turned out much better than I had anticipated.

I started my day earlier than usual because I had to get to a medical appointment at a clinic in Oconto Falls. It would be a 70-mile drive, and I really did not know where I was going once I got into town. I gave myself two hours because I did not want to be late. I found the clinic just fine, and my annual appointment with this particular specialist went well. As I left the clinic, the earlier fog had lifted, and the day had become autumn perfection. Before heading home, I stopped at Jo-Jo’s Diner and hatched my plan for the remainder of the day over breakfast and a road map.

I had been wanting to take a trip to White Lake for many years, especially after seeing just how close it was to where I now lived in Niagara, Wis. If you have not visited this little berg, it is no wonder. It is a tiny town — incorporated with a population of 346 — just off Highway 64 on the way to Antigo, Wis. This was the last place I lived as a child when we were still a family of six. My father died tragically in that little town, and we became a family of five forever after that. This was 64 years ago.

Despite my young age, the memory of that tiny town and the house in which we had lived for a little more than a year was burned indelibly in my mind. I remembered that the house was small and white, with a detached garage. I am sure the memory of that garage solidified itself because of the skunk that had paid a surprise visit to it one day! The property was surrounded by a huge forest and was situated across from a field. I remember the exact layout of the home’s interior and particularly recalled that my tiny bedroom in the peak of the house gave me a perfect view of my dad in the field across the street as he coached his teams of high school boys in whatever sport was in season. A snapshot of that house in an old photo album gave me the house number — 136. Finally, I knew it had to be close to “downtown,” because I remember my dad bundling my younger brother and me into a sled with wooden sides and pulling us into town to pick up a few groceries after a big snow storm.

I decided that today would be the day I would try to find that house. Armed with my memories and my road map, I set out after breakfast. I reasoned that I was, after all, this far south already, so I may as well take advantage of the head start and just take a big western loop home. I cannot really explain why revisiting that little town was something I had to do. Despite the passage of so many years, it was a trip I had to make for myself. There just seemed to be unfinished business to do so all of my memories could be put to rest.

After about two hours of driving, I came to a road sign that told me White Lake was just 2 miles ahead. I turned left off Highway 64 onto White Lake Lane and eventually the little lake, with its adjoining park, came into view. So far, I had not recognized anything. I followed the road into town. And I use that term hesitantly, because it was comprised of one industry, a gas station, a grocery store, a handful of churches of various denominations and a school. I noticed the athletic field next to the school and then my eyes glanced across the road. As I drove by, my heart skipped a beat. Could it be?

In the blink of an eye, the town was in my rear-view mirror, so I doubled back. Sure enough, there it was, the small, white house of my childhood with the house number 136 in plain view and just a couple of blocks away from the grocery store. The house itself had been very well maintained and most likely renovated, as the detached garage was now connected to the main house. The small window that had given me a bird’s eye view of the empty field across the road was still there. The field itself had become a very well-equipped athletic field now, complete with cyclone fencing, bleachers and scoreboard. The house did have an expansive back yard, as I had remembered, and the woods was still there; my brother and I had been certain that these were the very same woods in which Hansel and Gretel had lost their way and feared that the witch’s house was not too far away. My mother had never set us straight on that, either, because it was a convenient way to keep us from wandering off on our own.

After pausing in front of the house long enough to form a new mental picture, I took a different route home – Highway 55 north through Mole Lake and the Chippewa reservation. To my surprise, I remembered the road. It was mile after mile of hills and curves, and I recall laying on the backseat as a child, suffering from car sickness every trip we made back to visit distant relatives. Now, as an adult, it was a perfectly lovely route. Being this far west, the sumac and ferns in the ditches were all dressed in their autumn best, and the canopy of leaves overhead was rushing to join them; gold and red tipped trees were everywhere.

As I headed for home, eventually picking up Highway 8 a little further north, I had such a feeling of satisfaction. Not only had my spur-of-the-moment adventure been a success — I had actually found my childhood home — but the house itself had been lovingly cared for and was in beautiful condition. A little white house in a tiny northern town that had been such a difficult memory for me for so many decades was now replaced with what it is today — a refurbished home for another family. I found it strangely comforting. Who knows how many children had happily played in the same back yard through the years or how many little girls had looked out the upstairs bedroom window at the games being played in the athletic field across the street. Life goes on … wounds heal … peace is made with the past.

As I drove home and viewed autumn arriving all around me, it occurred to me that Northwoods families everywhere were busy getting ready for winter. Wood piles were getting replenished, and the last of the tomatoes were getting canned. For me, I had confronted the pain of the past and I had managed to put a difficult memory to rest … like a jar of peaches on the pantry shelf.

SENIOR LIVING

FACILITIES

Freeman

Kingsford

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

Sunday: Toss across, 1 p.m.; dunking donuts, 2 p.m.; church, 2:15 p.m.

Monday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; brouhaha, 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.

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: What’s cooking? 11 a.m.; Pictionary, 1:15 p.m.; jigsaw brain tease, 2 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, 8:30-11 a.m.; room visits 9-11 a.m.; Pictionary, 10 a.m.; afternoon matinee with popcorn, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Memory books, 9-10:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; sunshine club, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; book club, 10 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; mystery movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/travel club, 10 a.m.; Norway Cen, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; Wii fun, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; Presbyterian church, 2 p.m.; happy hour, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9-10:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; monthly birthday party, 2 p.m.; crime movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Word search/Hangman 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 11 p.m.; intergenerational social hour, 2 p.m.

Manor Care

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.; company’s coming room visits, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant church, 3 p.m.

Monday: Who, what, when, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; pokeno, 5:45 p.m.

Tuesday: Who am I? 10:15 a.m.; “Wheel of Fortune,” 2 p.m.; movie and manicure, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Sharpen your senses, 10:15 a.m.; Paula D. entertainment, 2 p.m.; flip five, 5:45 p.m.

Thursday: Crosswords, 10:15 a.m.; “Deal/No Deal” bingo, 2 p.m.; crazy for cards, 5:45 p.m.

Friday: Manor Care monthly, 10:15 a.m.; craft, 2 p.m.

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

Maryhill Manor

Niagara, Wis.

Rosary, 8:30 a.m. Sunday through Friday.

Sunday: Help your neighbor, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant service, 2:30 p.m., Christian fellowship, 5:30 p.m.

Monday: Protestant service, 9 a.m.; derby day, 10:15 a.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 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; Scattegories, 10:15 a.m.; religious bingo, 2 p.m.; help your neighbor, 6:15 p.m.

Friday: Exercise, 10:15 a.m.; short stories, 10:30 a.m.; entertainment with Jim D.., 2 p.m.

Saturday: Baking, 10:15 a.m.; pamper and polish, 2 p.m.; bingo, 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: Music with Crystal, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

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

Thursday: Communion with Deacon Don, 10 a.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.

Beauty shop open Tuesday and Thursday

Snack cart, 7 p.m. daily except Wednesday

Sunday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; music with Grace and Dave, 2 p.m.; Pastor Miller, 3:30 p.m.

Monday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; white chocolate party, 2 p.m.; room visits, 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Valri doll display, 2 p.m.; monthly birthday party, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Chair exercise, 10 a.m.; Uno, 2 p.m.; music with Grace and Dave, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Pastor Jason, 10 a.m.; manicures, 2 p.m.; social hour, 3 p.m.

Friday: Catholic church service, 10 a.m.; flippo, 2 p.m.; social hour, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; trivia, 2 p.m.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

Sunday: Grace Church, 10:15 a.m.; Packer party, noon.; Lutheran service, 2 p.m.; ball toss, 3:30 p.m.

Monday: Life connections, 9:45 a.m.; beauty shop, 10:30 a.m.; busy bee, 12:45 p.m.; rosary (second), 2:30 p.m.; ball toss, 3:30 p.m.; mind joggers, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Movie, 10 a.m.; busy bee, 12:15 p.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; social circle, 3:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Shopping outing, 10 a.m.; busy bee, 12:45 p.m.; happy hour, 2 p.m.; “Family Feud,” 3:30 p.m.; rummy, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Baking group, 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.; Jerry Beauchamp, 2 p.m.; fish fry outing, 3:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Hand massage, 10:15 a.m.; life stories, 10:30 a.m.; manicures, 2 p.m.; sensory, 3:30 p.m.

SENIOR CENTERS

Note: All centers ask for 24-hour advanced reservations for lunch. Those who have meals delivered who will not be home should 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.

Menu for the week:

Tuesday: Beef stroganoff, noodles, California blend vegetables, salad

Wednesday: Spaghetti, wax beans, garlic bread, salad

Thursday: Chicken, mashed potatoes, Brussel sprouts, corn relish

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.

Menu for the week:

Monday: Pasty pie, stewed tomatoes

Tuesday: Beef stroganoff, carrots

Wednesday: Lasagna, mixed vegetables, garlic bread

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, biscuits

Friday: Closed

Soup, salad and dessert are offered with every meal. Reservations for meals are encouraged. Walk-ins are welcomed.

Crystal Falls Center

Head cook: Lucy Korhonen

906-875-6709

The center is not just for seniors – bring a friend.

Suggested meal donations: $5 if older than 60; $6 if younger than 60; $1 extra for take-out

To reserve meals, call the center by 1 p.m. with name and number of people.

All dinners include the soup and salad bar, homemade dessert, tea, coffee and milk

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

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:

Monday: Hot pork over mashed potatoes, vegetables

Tuesday: Liver and onions, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables

Wednesday: Chicken cordon bleu, twice-baked potato, vegetables

Crystal Lake Center

Christine McMahon

906-774-2256, ext. 235

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.

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

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

Thursday: Happy Quilters, 1 p.m.; two-person team cribbage, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Friday: Smear, Noon.

The kitchen once again is open and serving meals. A new lunch program is offered from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. every Wednesday. Meals are $5 for those younger than 60 and a $4 donation for those over 60.

Home-delivered meals for the week:

Monday: Pork chop suey, rice, broccoli

Tuesday: Pizza, cole slaw

Wednesday: Swedish meatballs, rice, peas

Thursday: Mushroom and swiss burger, sweet potato fries, cauliflower

Friday: Cream of potato soup with ham, dinner roll

Center-based meal menu for the week:

Tuesday night: Swedish meatballs, rice, peas

Wednesday lunch: Chicken dumpling soup with deluxe salad bar

Transportation is available from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call Buzzin’ Around Town at 906-282-0492. Rides are $3 for age 60 and older, and $3.50 for younger than 60. 

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.

Menu for the week:

Monday: Beef tacos, refried beans, side salad, corn, pears

Tuesday: Meatloaf with gravy, baked potato, green beans, bread

Wednesday: Egg salad sandwich, bean soup, dinner roll, apple

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 are 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.

Menu for the week:

Monday: Baked chicken, stuffing, cauliflower, squash, fruit

Tuesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, creamed peas, watermelon

Wednesday: Beef stew, biscuits, fruit, cookies

Thursday: Tuna pasta salad, stewed tomatoes, breadsticks, grapes

Friday: Fish sandwich, three-bean salad, dark green side salad, fruit

Other assistance includes information on aging, benefits specialist, and care-giver support.

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

RSVP for meal at 855-528-2372

Meal at noon Wednesdays only – Same menu listed under ADRC of Florence County. Reservations are requested. Cribbage and cards are available.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

RSVP for meal at 715-528-4261

Home-delivered meals are available. Meal is served at 11:30 a.m. at this center Monday through Thursday, with the same menu as listed under ADRC of Florence County.

Tipler Town Hall

RSVP for meals at 715-674-2320

Serving lunch at noon on the second Thursday of the month only, with the same menu as listed under ADRC of Florence County.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

RSVP for meals at 715-589-4491

Meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, with the same menu as listed under ADRC of Florence County. 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. The Thursday meal is 3:30 p.m. soup, 4 p.m. salad bar, with dinner 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Home-delivered meals are available — call 906-774-2256, ext. 235 or ext. 230.

Menu for the week:

Monday: Sloppy Joe, macaroni and cheese, broccoli, fruit, milk

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

Wednesday: Seafood salad, sliced tomatoes, hard-boiled egg, fruit, milk

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, dessert, milk.

Friday, Sept. 27: Dance from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission $6.

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. Any senior groups who would like to use the meal site as a meeting place are welcome — come for lunch, 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. 

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.

Menu for the week:

Monday: Meatballs, mashed potatoes and gravy, Brussel sprouts, salad bar, fruit, juice, dessert

Tuesday: Welcome Autumn Dinner — Bourbon steak over egg noodles, glazed carrots, soup and salad bar, fruit, juice, dessert

Wednesday: Fish patty on a bun, peas and carrots, potato wedges, salad bar, fruit, juice, dessert

Thursday: Enchilada with tomato and lettuce, beans and rice, soup and salad bar, fruit, juice, dessert

Cards are played daily after the noon meal.

Craft and exercise classes: Mondays and Thursdays.

Ceramic and art classes: Wednesdays.

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. 

Menu for the week:

Tuesday: Chicken parmesan, egg noodles, garlic bread, broccoli, mixed fruit

Wednesday: Beef roast, mashed potatoes, bread, green beans, pineapple

Thursday: Barbecue pulled pork, potato wedges, cole slaw, corn, peaches.