NIAGARA, Wis. — Now that the new year, and a new decade, are upon us, this column has been addressing a few topics that are pertinent to “starting fresh.” I have always liked the beginning of a new year for this reason. I like to wipe the slate clean; I always try to learn from the previous year and then let it go, setting new goals for the year ahead. As a foundation for transforming the year ahead, we first discussed the importance of optimism. In order for positive change to take place in our lives, we need to believe we are capable of making it happen. Optimism gives us the confidence we need to take our lives in a new direction. Last week’s column discussed the importance of reducing stress in our lives so that true happiness could be found. We discussed several factors that bring happiness into our lives.

I want to spend a little more time looking at one of those “happiness factors” in today’s column. Once again, I found the information provided by Elizabeth Scott, M.S. at the Verywell Mind website to be most helpful. One of the ways each of us can help to relieve the level of stress in our lives is to make our home a sanctuary. There are stressors in many aspects of our lives from finances, jobs, bosses, and extended family responsibilities. When we come home, we want to feel like we are entering a refuge and are safe from the demands of life. Beginning and ending each day in such an environment goes a long way in helping us cope with the demands of a busy life.

I look back on my growing up years and have to smile. In fact, my sister and I laugh now because we share the same memories of just how disorganized and frenetic our childhood home was. As organized as my mother was at work, she was just the opposite at home. Of course, I understand it now. She was simply tired out from her day. Plus, once she was home, she simply wanted to relax and enjoy her children. Very few things had a “designated place” so whatever we were looking for was rarely found in the same drawer twice. And what was in drawers had no real rhyme nor reason for being there let alone for being stored together. Whenever we had to go somewhere, all four us were charged with finding our mother’s car keys. And we were always rushing to get to school on time. We lived surrounded by her love… and a lot of chaos.

Simply sitting in a cluttered room adds to our stress levels. From a feng shui perspective, the placement and types of objects within a room affect our energy level, referred to as chi. Ideal furniture placement will allow the flow of energy through and around a room. Another way of looking at clutter is that too much of it simply provides too much information for the eye and brain to process, causing confusion and mental fatigue. And, in the most practical terms, clutter causes fatigue simply because it is a constant reminder of how much work we have ahead of us to clean and organize our homes.

Conversely, living in an organized home makes life easier and helps to diminish the level of stress caused by the other factors in our lives. It is easier to relax when the living environment is free of distracting clutter and reminders of undone tasks. When surrounded, instead, by items that reflect things we enjoy and the lifestyles we lead, we have a real sense that we have escaped the stressors in our lives and have now entered the calm surroundings that truly reflect the real people we are.

Finally, from a practical perspective, an organized home saves time, money and other resources. When items do not have a designated place, we waste time looking for them. When we misplace bills or fail to open mail in a timely fashion, payments are late and extra fees are added next month. When we cannot find our car keys, we end up rushing through traffic and risk being late or, even worse, having an accident.

So, if you are not naturally organized but wish to make some changes to your home to eventually get you there, where do you begin? When trying to convert your home into a more peaceful space, consider the following steps.

1. Pare down, organize and decorate. Start with your cupboards and drawers and move to closets. Get rid of items you no longer use and clothes you no longer wear. Resist the notion that you are being wasteful by remembering that you got full use out of the item and are now passing it on to someone who can continue to use it. Decide where you will store your things and then always return items to the same place; that way you will always know where to find things. Store them close to where you use them. A solution for misplaced car keys is as simple as screwing in a hook by the backdoor where you always hang your keys or placing a bowl on a hallway table to collect keys and phones. Decorate using colors and images that truly speak to you so as to create a feeling of both inner peace and renewed energy.

2. Create a physical space in your home that is designated for those activities that help you relieve stress. A home office is very helpful for this purpose. When you are in this designated space, you are prepared to work — whether paying bills, answering email, or working a home business. When the work is finished, leave it mentally behind in your office along with the physical clutter it creates. Designate a place for reading, listening to music or doing yoga. This allows your mind to shift to only that relaxing activity and also provides a physical reminder that when you are in that designated area, you should be engaged in those healthy stress relieving activities.

3. Feng Shui has proven to relieve stress. Read up on the practice of this Chinese art and give it a try in your home. Some changes as easy as furniture rearrangement may produce huge benefits.

4. Aromatherapy is an easy, inexpensive relaxation tactic to try. The infusion of a variety of scents can create a soothing environment in various rooms of your home. Various scents have been successful for increasing energy or calming nerves to helping promote sleep.

5. Music is similar to the effects of aromatherapy. The infusion of music into your home can energize or relax and is a wonderful way to relieve stress in your environment.

Even if we are retired, the aging process brings with it new stressors with which we need to cope. A few simple changes will go a long way in transforming your home into the sanctuary you need to live a less stressful life. Follow the steps above, sit back, and … relax.

——

SENIOR LIVING

FACILITIES

Freeman

Kingsford

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

Sunday: Uno, 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: Craft, 10:30 a.m.; reminisce, 1 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, 10:30 a.m.; Bible study, 1:15 p.m.; pokereno, 2 p.m.; “Lawrence Welk,” 4:30 p.m.

Friday: What’s cooking? 11 a.m.; parlor games, 1:15 p.m.; puppy/room visits, 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 to 11 a.m.; Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.; Church of Christ, 3 p.m.

Monday: Crafts, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday: CF library, 9:30 a.m.; book club, 10 a.m.; prayer, 10 a.m.; Amasa senior center, 10:30 a.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; spelling bball, 2 p.m.; mystery movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/animal kingdom, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; current events, 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.; Presbyterian church, 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.; Wii fun, 2 p.m.; web browsing, 2:30 p.m.; western movie and romance movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Word search/ how do you feel? 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 Saturday.

Exercise, 10 a.m. Sunday through Saturday.

Lobby activity, 11:15, Sunday through Saturday and 4:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

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: Martin Luther King Jr. facts, 10:15 a.m.; Crystal Hogan, 2 p.m.; pokeno, 5:45 p.m.

Tuesday: Who am I? 10:15 a.m.; resident council/food committee, 2 p.m.; movie and manicure, 5:45 p.m.

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

Thursday: Crosswords, 10:15 a.m.; deal/no deal bingo, 2 p.m.; creative coloring, 5:45 p.m.

Friday: You be the judge, 10:15 a.m.; pokeno, 2 p.m.; movie, 3:15 p.m.

Saturday: Current events, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; movie, 3:15 p.m.

Maryhill Manor

Niagara, Wis.

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

Sunday: Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; help your neighbor, 10:15 a.m.; penny ante, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Protestant service, 9 a.m.; spelling bee, 10:15 a.m.; time slips, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Neb’s breakfast, 7 a.m.; Protestant service, 9 a.m.; current events, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; whammo, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday: Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; trivia and hot cocoa, 10:15 a.m.; Yahtzee, 2 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 6:15 p.m.

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

Friday: Exercise, 10:15 a.m.; trivia and hot cocoa, 10:30 a.m.; happy hour with Jim D., 2 p.m.

Saturday: Baking, 10:15 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.; pamper and polish, 2:30 p.m.; bingo, 5:45 p.m.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

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

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 Pastor Jim, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

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

Thursday: Communion with Deacon Don, 10 a.m.; 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 and Thursday.

Snack cart, 7 p.m. Sunday through Saturday.

Sunday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; movie/snack, 2 p.m.; Pastor Miller, 3:30 p.m.

Monday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; coffee and chat, 11 a.m.

Tuesday: Chair exercise, 10 a.m.; reminisce, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday: Painting, 10 a.m.; music with Grace and Dave, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday: Pastor Jason, 10 a.m.; manicures, 2 p.m.; pie party, 3 p.m.

Friday: Catholic church service, 10 a.m.; coffee and chat, 11 a.m.; flippo, 2 p.m.; social hour, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Bingo/family and friends social time, 10 a.m.; coffee and chat, 11 p.m.; trivia, 2 p.m.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

Sunday: Grace church, 10:15 a.m.; card games, 10:30 a.m.; tea party, 2 p.m.; board game, Sorry, 3:30 p.m.

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

Tuesday: Movies, 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: Social circle, 10:30 a.m.; busy bee, 12:45 p.m.; social circle, 2 p.m.; “Family Feud,” 3:30 p.m.; rummy, 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.; 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.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Movie, 10 a.m.; spa treatments, 2 p.m.; reminiscing, 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 of:

Tuesday: Spaghetti, green beans, salad, and garlic bread.

Wednesday: Barbecue pork on a bun, baked beans, and coleslaw.

Thursday: Turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, dressing and cranberries.

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 and stewed tomatoes.

Tuesday: Lasagna, mixed vegetables and garlic bread.

Wednesday: Liver or sausage, potatoes and carrots.

Thursday: Stew and corn bread.

Friday: Baked fish or bratwurst, fried potatoes and green beans.

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 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:

Monday through Wednesday: Menu not available.

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.

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

Friday: Smear, noon.

A lunch program is offered every Wednesday from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Meals cost is $5 for those younger than 60 and a $4 donation for those older than 60.

Home-delivered meal menu for week:

Monday: Cheeseburger, macaroni, peas and biscuit.

Tuesday: Barbecue pork, potato wedges and carrots.

Wednesday: Italian vegetable soup, crackers and spinach side salad with dressing.

Thursday: Spaghetti and Italian sausage, Italian blend vegetables, and garlic bread.

Friday: Crustless chicken pot pie, applesauce, and dinner roll.

Wednesday: Noon meal at center — Italian vegetable soup, garlic cheese bread and 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: Pork roast, mashed potatoes, and sweet and sour cabbage.

Tuesday: Hash browns and ham casserole, coleslaw and carrots.

Wednesday: Jambalaya, corn bread and green 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: Toasted cheese sandwich, tomato soup, broccoli soup and pears.

Tuesday: Swedish meatballs over noodles, mixed winter vegetables, salad and peaches.

Wednesday: Cabbage roll casserole, parsley potatoes, carrots and pineapple spice cake.

Thursday: Baked chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes, spinach and fruit.

Friday: Beef tips over noodles, butter beans, salad and fresh fruit.

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

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

Meal reservations call 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

Meal reservations call 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

Meal reservations call 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

Meal reservations call 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.

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: Enchilada casserole, rice and Mexi-corn.

Tuesday: Fish, cheesy hash and peas.

Wednesday: Boiled dinner and roll.

Thursday: Parmesan chicken, noodles, wax beans and garlic bread.

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 that 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. 

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.

Monday: Center board meeting at 10 a.m.

Menu for the week:

Monday: Chili, corn bread, corn, salad bar, fruit, juice and dessert.

Tuesday: Snow Day dinner — Lasagna, green beans, garlic bread, soup and salad bar, fruit, juice and dessert.

Wednesday: Noon meal — Tater tot casserole, carrots and onions, salad bar, fruit, juice, and dessert; 5 p.m. meal — Barbecue ribs, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, soup and salad bar, fruit, juice and dessert.

Thursday: Cheese ravioli, winter blend vegetables, coleslaw, soup and salad bar, fruit, juice and dessert.

Cards are played daily after the noon meal.

Craft and exercise classes: Mondays and Thursdays.

Ceramic and art classes: Wednesdays.

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. Volunteers are always welcome. 

Menu for the week:

Tuesday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes, peas, and applesauce.

Wednesday: Barbecue chicken, potato wedges, corn and pears.

Thursday: Philly steak and cheese sandwich, potato chips, three-bean salad and tropical fruit.