NIAGARA, Wis. — This month we have explored the topic of Christmas traditions. One tradition — remembering our loved ones whom we have lost — is also prevalent during the holidays. Whether they have passed recently or years ago, the holidays have a way of bringing them to mind. They may be gone, but they live forever in our hearts. Since beginning this column 10 months ago, I have referenced my mother many times. This final column of 2019 is dedicated to her memory; she passed peacefully in her sleep at 11:20 p.m. Dec. 18.

The mother-daughter relationship is a complicated one in that it passes through many phases. The relationship I had with my mom was no more or less complicated than anyone else’s and varied with the stages of life in which I found myself. I am sure my sister can say the same. My two brothers will recall their own rites of passage with her. Although we grew up under the same roof, we are all very different people and have our own memories of our mom. One thing we can all agree upon, however, is that she was a significant force in our lives, and none of us would be who we are today without her influence.

Her work ethic, which she passed along to all of us, came from her own upbringing. Born in 1927, she was a child of the Depression. Her parents survived in part by growing vegetables and selling them to neighbors; they also had a farm. My mother helped and was allowed to keep 1 cent for every nickel’s worth of produce she sold. She also helped with chores on the farm — driving tractor from the age of 12. Life was not easy, but she credits her own mother for keeping the faith that saw them all through those very lean years.

She was passionate about education and always wanted to go to college. Few women were educated past high school in those days, and her own parents never graduated from high school. She did well — especially in her English and speech classes — and was allowed to go to business college. She passed along the importance of a college education to all of us. It was something that was expected and part of the natural progression of our lives. We all had summer jobs, but during the school year, our job was homework and getting good grades “so we would be accepted into college.” Higher education was as important for her daughters as it was for her sons. One of the best pieces of advice I ever received came from my mother when she said, “You need an education so you are able to always take care of yourself. You never know what life will hand you, and an education will give you options.” All four of us graduated from college, and it was celebrated!

My mother lost her first husband, my father, after only five years of marriage. I was the oldest of four, and he died just two months shy of my fifth birthday. The brother next in line was three, and the twins were only a year old. There she was — a single parent and sole provider for four little kids in the 1950s. So, yes, she was a huge proponent of education and job skills for women. If she had not had secretarial skills and the ability to secure employment, we would have had a much more difficult time and fewer options. Her 29-year career with Ripon College gave us access to higher education as well as exposure to college life all the while we were growing up. She took us to plays and symphonies, concerts and art exhibits, and we benefitted from growing up under the watchful eyes of college professors. We always had summer jobs on campus as soon as we were old enough to get a work permit. Life was good when you had a job.

Despite life’s challenges, having fun with her kids was important. My mother had a zest for life and a terrific sense of humor. Our recreation was simple and cheap. We took car rides on country roads and while driving, she sang us old juke box tunes. Long before seat belts were invented, she drove from one side of the road to the other while we slid across the back seat squealing with delight. We stopped for ice cream cones often because a distant relative owned the Picket Co-op and sold us four scoops for a dime. She packed picnic lunches to take to the outdoor theater — popcorn was too expensive — on “buck night” when our entire family could see the double feature for $1 per car load. We saw all the old scary classics like “Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte” and “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.” I guess she figured we would fall asleep, but we never did.

She loved going to nice restaurants and found a way to treat each of us to fine dining on our birthday — just the birthday child and her. She wanted us to grow up being comfortable in nicer places so giving us each that experience was an important lesson each year and a special annual tradition with her. The trip to Chicago when we were all still in grade school was an unforgettable adventure. I remember riding the train, jumping on the beds in the fancy hotel, getting the giggles in the fanciest restaurant we had ever seen, visiting the Lincoln Park Zoo, and being allowed to buy one item at Marshall Field’s.

The four of us were our mother’s entire life; she was devoted to us, and we knew we were her priority. The last thing we ever wanted to do was to disappoint her. Behaving ourselves, following the rules, doing well in school, being polite were all expected of us. The bar was set high. She definitely gave us roots, but giving us wings was a challenge for her. If we had wings, we would fly from the nest, and she would eventually be alone. I look back on our lives and our struggles for independence — each of us had them in one way or another — and I understand it now. But, back then, it was more than frustrating and a cause of much friction as each of us tried to carve out an independent life.

But we did all manage to become “emancipated” despite her best efforts to keep us all at home. And she adjusted to our independence and eventually became proud of the adults we grew to be, of the families we raised, and the lives we each built for ourselves. After all, she raised us to become who we are — it was just hard for her to let us go.

She eventually lived with my brother in Illinois for 13 years and came to live at Maryhill when she needed more care than he could provide. Staff appreciated her sense of humor — even her dementia did not rob her of that. She remained a woman of simple pleasures. She loved reading, classical music, animals (deer and owls especially), and nature. In her younger years, she could jitter-bug with the best of them. While she could still travel, she and I took annual jaunts across the U.P., and she loved the forests, wildlife and Lake Superior. Toward the end, I was the one driving the country roads and taking her to Dairy Queen for ice cream cones. And, once in a while, we managed to remember the words to a juke box tune or two.

——

SENIOR LIVING

FACILITIES

Freeman

Kingsford

Sunday: Scenes and sounds, noon; toss across, 1 p.m.; dunking donuts, 2 p.m.; church, 2:15 p.m.

Monday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; resident 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: Knit/crochet, 10:30 a.m.; scenes and sounds, 11:30 a.m.; Kentucky Derby, 2 p.m.; Champagne toast for New Year’s Eve.

Wednesday through Saturday: Not available.

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.; You be the Judge, 10 a.m.; afternoon matinee, 1:30 p.m.; Church of Christ, 3 p.m.

Monday: Cooking, 9 to 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.; prayer, 10 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; New Year’s Eve celebration, 2 p.m.

Wednesday through Saturday: Not available.

Manor Care

Kingsford

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

Exercise: 10 a.m. Sunday through Saturday.

Popcorn day: Every Friday.

Sunday: Just jokes, 10:15 a.m.; company’s coming, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant church, 3 p.m.

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

Tuesday: New Year’s facts and fun, 10:15 a.m.; “Wheel of Fortune,” 2 p.m.; movie and manicure, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday through Saturday: Not available.

Saturday: Not available

Maryhill Manor

Niagara, Wis.

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

Sunday: “Family Feud,” 10:15 a.m.; tailgate party: Packers vs. Lions, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant service, 2:30 p.m.; Christian fellowship, 5:30 p.m.

Monday: Yahtzee, 10:15 a.m.; nickel jokereno, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Current events, 10:15 a.m.; New Year’s Eve social/bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; You be the Judge, 10:15 a.m.; travel club, 2 p.m.; Bible stories, 3 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; board game, Scattegories, 10:15 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.

Friday: Mass and adoration, 10 a.m.; ball toss, 10:15 a.m.; short stories and hot cocoa, 10:30 a.m.; happy hour with Denise S., 2 p.m.

Saturday: Crafts, 10:15 a.m.; pamper and polish, 2 p.m.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

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

Exercise, 11 a.m. Monday through Friday except Wednesday.

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

Sunday: Packers vs. Lions; noon; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

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

Tuesday: Bingo bash, 7 p.m.

Wednesday: Happy New Year.

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

Beauty shop open Tuesday.

Sunday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; Packers vs. Detroit, noon.

Monday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; craft, 2 p.m.; reading, 6:15 p.m.; snack cart, 7 p.m.

Tuesday: Pastor Doug, 10 a.m.; cake and champagne, 2 p.m.; New Year’s Eve party, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday: Flippo, 10 a.m.; New Year’s Day party, 2 p.m.; reading, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Pastor Jason, 10 a.m.; manicures, 2 p.m.; coffee social, 3 p.m.; reminisce, 6:15 p.m.

Friday: Catholic church service, 10 a.m.; coffee and chat, 11 a.m.; Flippo, 2 p.m.; reading, 6:15 p.m.

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

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

Sunday: Grace church, 10:15 a.m.; football party: Packers vs. Lions, noon.; trivia, 2 p.m.; ball toss, 3:30 p.m.

Monday: Beauty shop, 10 a.m.; busy bee, 12:45 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 a.m.; busy bee, 12:45 p.m.; New Year’s Eve party, 2 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Social circle 10 a.m.; busy bee, 12:45 p.m.; casino games, 2 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, 10:30 a.m.; busy bee, 12:45 p.m.; bunco, 2 p.m.; board game, Trouble, 3:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Rummy, 10:15 a.m.; sensory, 10:30 a.m.; social circle, 2 p.m.; “Family Feud,” 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 and salad.

Wednesday: Center is closed.

Thursday: Sloppy Joes, baked beans and coleslaw.

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: Cheese ravioli, green beans, and garlic bread.

Tuesday: Smoked sausage, parsley potatoes, and baked beans.

Wednesday: Center is closed.

Thursday: Day meal: Beef stroganoff, buttered noodles, and wax beans.

Friday: Baked fish or pork sandwich, potato wedges, and cream corn.

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, 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: Spaghetti and meatballs, and vegetables.

Tuesday and Wednesday: Center is closed.

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 to 3:30 p.m.

Friday: Smear, noon.

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

Home-delivered meal menu for week:

Monday: Quiche, sausage and hash browns.

Tuesday: Sweet and sour pork, rice, peas and carrots.

Wednesday: Boiled dinner, biscuit/butter, and side salad with dressing (delivered on Tuesday).

Thursday: Polish sausage and sauerkraut, seasoned potatoes, and green beans.

Friday: Chicken and cheese sandwich, baked beans, and carrots.

No center-based meals for week.

Note: Beginning in January, night meals will be moving from Tuesdays to the second and fourth Thursday evenings of each month.

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: Biscuits and sausage gravy, spiced applesauce, and oven hash browns.

Tuesday: Pasties, coleslaw, mixed fruit.

Wednesday: Center is closed.

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: Chicken salad on a croissant with lettuce, tater tots, macaroni and cheese, and pears.

Tuesday and Wednesday: Centers are closed.

Thursday: Boiled dinner with ham, cabbage, rutabagas, carrots and potatoes, and fruit.

Friday: Egg salad sandwich, chicken vegetable soup with beans, and fruit.

Other assistance includes information on aging, benefits specialist, and caregiver support.

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

Reservations for meal at 855-528-2372

Meal served Wednesday only with the same menu as listed under ADRC of Florence County. Reservations are requested. Cribbage and cards are available.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

Reservations 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

Reservations for meal 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

Reservations for meal 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. 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, and cottage cheese.

Tuesday: Rigatoni with meat sauce, Italian vegetables, and garlic bread.

Wednesday and Thursday: Center is closed.

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. 

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.

Menu for the week:

Monday: Hot chicken salad, noodles, squash, salad bar, fruit, juice, and dessert.

Tuesday and Wednesday: Center is closed.

Thursday: Finnish pancake, hash browns, sausage, strawberries, orange juice, muffin, soup and salad bar.

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: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, peas, pears, and bread.

Wednesday: Center is closed.

Thursday: Polish sausage, sauerkraut, baked potato, mixed vegetables, and applesauce.