IRON MOUNTAIN — Every year in the month of November, our country observes Veterans’ Day — a tribute to those men and women who unselfishly gave of themselves, both in defense of our country and in aid to others, in wars around the world. They most certainly deserve our recognition and our continued support for all they have done, and continue to do, for us and for people around the globe. I recently had the opportunity to visit with Barbara Spooner, now in her 86th year, who had an entirely different perspective on war because she viewed it through the lens of her childhood. Barbara was a 6-year-old girl in England throughout World War II and lived what the rest of us read about in our history books. Hers is a most interesting story; I spent the better part of a morning learning about it while we shared a pot of tea.

Barbara was born in Heddington just outside of Oxford, England, in 1933. Her mother was 100% Brit, whose family were “quarry people.” Her father, a Scotsman whose mother was Irish, grew up in London. He became a painter and met her mother in London after she had moved there to be a maid. Barbara was the middle child, with one older sister and two younger sisters to which they added an adopted son when Barbara was 6. She remembers how it was her duty to watch “this little scrap of humanity” while he slept in his cradle because her mother was busy with household chores; she was to alert her mother if he awoke. As a headstrong, adventurous child, she resented this task immensely at the time. Additionally, they took in two young girls during the war who had been part of the evacuation that removed 11,300 children from London to safer locations in rural England. The evacuation occurred just days before Germany began bombing the capital city.

Their home was a small, humble abode — spotless but without indoor plumbing. Barbara remembers how her mother would take them to the outhouse in the middle of the night, aided by the light of a single candle, covering them with dark blankets so the “planes flying overhead could not see their white nightgowns.” She wondered how this helped, because surely they could see the light of the candle from their planes! Planes regularly flew over her home on their way to London, and Barbara remembers that the German planes sounded very different from English aircraft. Despite the munitions plant near her home, Oxford was never bombed because, rumor had it, Hitler planned to use that city as his headquarters after the war. Air raids were frequent, and every family had a shelter in the backyard that they had dug themselves; they were nothing more than large, deep holes in the ground with wooden benches. And no one was allowed to go anywhere without a gas mask. She had wanted one with Mickey Mouse on it but had been told she was too old, at the age of 6, for such a mask. Barbara resisted wearing her gas mask because it scared her, but she had to get used to it. She also remembers seeing men marching to the airfields and wondering if they would ever come back home.

She often accompanied her father on his frequent trips to London to see his mother, who stubbornly stayed through all of the bombings. She was determined that Hitler was not going to drive her out of her home! The trips to London to see her grandmother were great adventures for Barbara, who has no memories of ever being afraid. She remembers vividly one trip when she and her father got caught in a blackout — their taxi had to travel the London streets without its headlights. When she saw people living in the underground train stations, she thought it looked like great fun. While visiting, Barbara and her cousins slept inside of large, homemade cages in their grandmother’s home; if the house had been bombed, they would be able to be rescued from the rubble of bricks. Her grandmother assured them that “Hitler was not going to bomb her house” and played piano and sang them Irish songs while the war was raging all around them. Barbara thought it really was just like the Charles Dickens’ book “Tale of Two Cities,” when he began, “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” Her grandmother died in 1946 knowing that Hitler had been defeated; her house was, indeed, never bombed.

During her visits to London, Barbara remembers the sound of the “buzz bombs” that gave people enough advance warning so they could seek shelter. She played in the rubble after an air raid and investigated bomb sites with the neighborhood children. She remembers walking up to the edge of a large hole in the ground. There was an unexploded bomb, nose in the ground with fins in the air, in that hole! A man was in the hole whose job it was to determine if it was a live, unexploded bomb or a dud; if it was still live, he had to defuse it. That particular bomb had been a dud.

The war years were a time of much scarcity. Everyone had ration books — even the children — and her mother stood for hours in line to get food for the family. Her father had been given two land allotments to use for growing vegetables. Barbara remembers eating whale meat, which was dreadful stuff, but the American care packages were wonderful because they always included sweets.

Looking back on this time now as an adult, Barbara believes that her mother bore the brunt of the war for their family. Her father was the gardener and worked hard in the munitions plant, but her mother waited in the lines for food and got the children safely to school. She seemed to worry more while Barbara and her dad listened to the war on the radio. Winston Churchill spoke daily to the people, assuring them Hitler would not be allowed on English soil. Barbara can recite to this day his famous words, “We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.” Despite the daily hardships, no one complained. They pulled together and did their part in the united front against Hitler — right down to tearing out all of the iron gates and fences in England so they could be made into ammunition!

England’s strife ended in 1945 when Hitler was finally defeated — six long years since 1939, when the first bomb fell in London. Many believed, however, had Hitler decided to take Britain before invading Russia, their fate may have been entirely different. Hitler had his sights set on Russia because it was so much bigger, but it was winter. Russia’s size and the harshness of its climate combined to foil Hitler’s master plan but not before great damage had been done across Europe. While many Americans had enlisted through Canada when America was still neutral, America’s entrance into the war also helped bring an end to the strife.

There is more to Barbara’s story. Be sure to read next week’s column when we take a look at the post war years and how Barbara met her husband and came to America.

——

SENIOR LIVING

FACILITIES

Freeman

Kingsford

Sunday: Scenes and sounds, Noon; Uno, 1 p.m.; dunking donuts, 2 p.m.; church, 2:15 p.m.

Monday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; residents’ council, 11 a.m.; scenes and sounds, 11:30 a.m.; library cart, 1:30 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; ice cream social, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Crafts, 10:30 a.m.; scenes and sounds, 11:30 a.m.; reminisce, 1:15 p.m.; Kentucky Derby, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; rosary, 10:30 a.m.; scenes and sounds, 11:30 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2:00 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee social, 8 a.m.; Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, 8 to 11 a.m.; scenes and sounds, 11:45 a.m.; Bible study, 1:15 p.m.; pokereno, 2 p.m.

Friday: What’s cooking? 11 a.m.; scenes and sounds, 11:45 a.m.; parlor games, 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.; scenes and sounds, 11:30 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 a.m.; room visits, 9 to 11 a.m.; name that word, 10 a.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.; Church of Christ, 3 p.m.

Monday: Cooking, 9-10:30 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.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/travel club, 10 a.m.; galleria, 1 p.m.; how do you feel? 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 p.m.

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

Friday: Crafts, 9-10:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; spelling bball, 2 p.m.; mystery movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Word game/high rollers, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 11 a.m.; intergenerational social hour, 2 p.m.

Manor Care

Kingsford

Wet your whistle: 9:30 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Exercise: 10 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday, Friday and 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: Did you know? 10:15 a.m.; Marian Linder entertains, 2 p.m.; pokeno, 5:45 p.m.

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

Wednesday: Thanksgiving trivia, 10:15 a.m.; Thanksgiving party – Paula D. entertainment, 2 p.m.; flip five, 5:45 p.m.

Thursday: Turkey bingo, 2 p.m.

Friday: Trivia, 10:15 a.m.; pokeno, 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: “Family Feud,” 10:15 a.m.; tailgate party – Packers vs. 49ers, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Protestant service, 9 a.m.; spelling bee,10:15 a.m.; memorial service, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Men’s breakfast, 7 a.m.; current events, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Yahtzee, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday: Reminiscent corner — November in history, 10:15 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.; coffee social, 10:15 a.m.; turkey bingo, 2 p.m.; whammo, 6:15 p.m.

Friday: Ball toss, 10:15 a.m.; short stories, 10:30 a.m.; happy hour with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Christmas crafts, 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, 2:30 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.; football — Packers vs. 49ers, 3:25 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: Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday: Birthday party, 2 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. Monday through Wednesday and Saturday

Sunday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; music with Grace and Dave, 2 p.m.; football, Packers vs. 49ers

Monday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; store open, 2 p.m.; coffee social, 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Pastor Doug, 10 a.m.; lunch out, 11:30 a.m.; music with Larry J., 2 p.m.; room visits, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Valri – harvest music, 2:30 p.m.

Thursday: Pastor Jason, 10 a.m.; Thanksgiving Feast, noon

Friday: Catholic church service, 10 a.m.; monthly birthday party, 2 p.m.; happy hour, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Bingo/family and friends social time, 10 a.m.; movie time, 2 p.m.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

Sunday: Grace Church, 10:15 a.m.; coffee social, 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, 12:15 p.m.; song service, 1:30 p.m.; rosary, 2:30 p.m.; sensory, 3:30 p.m.; Yahtzee, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Baking group, 10:30 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.

Wednesday: Casino outing, 10 a.m.; busy bee, 12:45 p.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; cribbage, 3:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

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

Friday: Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; busy bee, 12:45 a.m.; happy hour, 2 p.m.; phase 10, 3:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 10:15 a.m.; karaoke, 10:30 a.m.; cards, 2 p.m.; trivia, 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, carrots, broccoli salad

Wednesday: Lasagna, green beans, salad, garlic bread

Thursday: Closed for Thanksgiving

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: Chicken stir fry, rice, Oriental blend vegetables

Tuesday: Meat loaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, biscuit

Wednesday: Pork chop, sauerkraut, mixed vegetables

Thursday: Closed for Thanksgiving

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-Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. soup and salad bar, 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:

Monday: Cabbage roll casserole, boiled potatoes

Tuesday: Reuben sandwiches, oven fries

Wednesday: Thanksgiving dinner

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.; 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 p.m. 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 cost $5 for those younger than age 60 and a $4 donation for those older than 60.

Home-delivered meal menu for week:

Monday: Ham and cheese quiche, hash browns, applesauce

Tuesday: Shrimp Alfredo, Italian blend vegetables, garlic breadstick

Wednesday: Barbecue beef with bun, tater tots, carrots

Thursday: Turkey stuffing sandwich, cole slaw, cranberry sauce (delivered Tuesday)

Friday: Chicken spinach soup, biscuit, crackers (delivered Wednesday)

Center-based meal menu for week:

Tuesday night: Shrimp Alfredo, Italian blend vegetables, garlic breadstick

Wednesday lunch: Cream of potato soup, turkey and cranberry sliders, salad bar

Note: Beginning in January, night meals will shift from Tuesday to Thursday evenings.

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: Cheese omelets, hash browns, sausage links, bread

Tuesday: Beef stew, applesauce, salad, hard-boiled egg, roll

Wednesday: Polish sausage, sauerkraut, mixed fruit, baked beans

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, rice pilaf with peas, squash, pears

Tuesday: Broccoli cheese soup, egg salad sandwich, lettuce and tomato, tropical fruit

Wednesday: Meat loaf, baked potato, cauliflower, picnic bean salad, pumpkin bar

Thursday: Closed for Thanksgiving

Friday: Closed

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

Closed on Wednesday for Thanksgiving.

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.

Note: Center closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving

Tipler Town Hall

715-674-2320 – RSVP for meals.

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

715-589-4491 – RSVP for meals

Meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, with the same menu as listed under ADRC of Florence County. Closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday. 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 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: Pizza, cottage cheese, fruit

Tuesday: Ham and scalloped potatoes, California blend vegetables, roll

Wednesday: Philly steak casserole, carrots, roll

Thursday: Closed for Thanksgiving

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 — join us for lunch then stay for a meeting or social time. Wii games, cards, puzzles and board games are available to play. 

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.

Menu for the week:

Monday: Fish patty on a bun, tater tots, squash, soup and salad bar, fruit, juice, dessert

Tuesday: Thanksgiving Dinner: Turkey, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, soup and salad bar, fruit, juice, dessert

Wednesday: Liver or burger and onions, mashed potatoes and gravy, glazed carrots, salad bar, fruit, juice, dessert

Thursday: Closed for Thanksgiving

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.

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: Navy bean soup, grilled ham and cheese sandwich, corn, apricots

Wednesday: Turkey dinner

Thursday: Closed for Thanksgiving