NIAGARA, Wis. — As we work our way through life, we learn the meaning of setting priorities. Oftentimes we learn this lesson the hard way, for when we do not understand this concept, life has a way of biting us in a not-so-comfortable area. Some of us learn how to do this by watching our parents, older siblings or friends. Many of us learn it through trial and error. Most of us learn it the hard way — the manner in which most of life’s lasting lessons are learned.

We also determine our priorities as we age, and they change with our level of maturity. As children, those things in life that mattered most to us centered around our parents. After all, they loved us, took care of us, and made us happy in so many ways. Of course, they also disciplined us as needed. But, at least through grade school, parents were pretty much the most important people in our lives.

Once we became adolescents, however, our priorities shifted as we struggled to make our way through those tumultuous years. Our parents became more of an embarrassment. I can remember what my siblings and I put our poor mother through when we hit the “terrible teen” years. There were four of us born within four years of each other so we hit those years pretty much at the same time. Most of the time our mother rolled with it, but looking back I am sure there were days when the last place she felt like going to after work was home.

Despite our closeness in age, we could not have been more different. I hunkered down in my room too absorbed with my homework and my Paul Anka records to associate with my siblings. My brother next in line left the house every night after supper to hang out with his friends and get into some sort of mischief depending upon what his buddies were game for on any given evening. He “lived” in the attic bedroom that had a ladder just outside his window. It was attached to the house to provide a safe exit in case of fire. He used that to his advantage on many occasions when his curfew was the last thing he wanted to observe. My youngest brother was an athlete and was usually off playing tennis or running track. My little sister was the social butterfly of the family. She routinely “borrowed” my clothes and, to this day, remembers her favorite outfits that came from my closet.

We eventually grow up, and life has a way of determining our priorities. If we let it, life can be fairly demanding. Unless we realize that life will take what it wants from us, we run the risk of allowing our lives to live us instead of the other way around. The sooner we realize that we need to be the captains of our own ships, steering our lives in the direction we want, the better off we will be. Some never learn this, and go wherever the waves pull or the winds push.

I recently ran across an essay that I had saved for many years in my “food for thought” folder. Entitled “Beer Philosophy 101,” it addresses the importance of setting priorities in life. I have no idea who wrote it, but it really does provide some good advice.

“A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks about two inches in diameter.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So, the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous — yes.

The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and proceeded to pour their entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space around the sand. The students laughed.

‘Now,’ said the professor, as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things — your family, your partner, your health, your children – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else – the small stuff.’

‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.’

‘Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, give a dinner party and fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.’

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented. The professor smiled. ‘I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of beers.'”

By this time, most of us can look back and remember when we realized we had our priorities straight – we had “all of our ducks in a row” as we used to say. It was when our lives finally made sense. For many of us, it began when we found the person with whom we knew we would spend the rest of our lives. Eventually, we had found the job that would carry us through to retirement. We had put down roots in an area we had decided to finally call home. And maybe we had a few kids along the way. For others, parts of that scenario would become their priorities. Everyone is different so priorities are different, and lives take different paths to happiness.

But one thing we can all agree upon is that it is four o’clock somewhere. And we deserve to stop and smell the roses … and have a beer. It’s called “retirement” after all!

——

NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

906-774-1530

Freeman’s has resumed small group activities. Visitation is currently being allowed twice weekly with screening and COVID-19 testing required before entering the building. All precautions are still being taken to protect residents. Everyone has adjusted to this new normal, however they are all looking forward to a great get together when it is safe to do so.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

906-874-1501

Sunday: Morning room visits; exercise, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.; storytelling, 2 p.m.; afternoon room visits.

Monday: Morning room visits; big buck bingo at 9 and 10 a.m.; ice cream sundaes, 1:30 p.m.; resident council, 2 p.m.; afternoon room visits.

Tuesday: PJ day, morning room visits; spa day, 9 to 11:30 a.m.; matinee with fresh popcorn and movie candy; afternoon room visits.

Wednesday: Morning room visits; car races, 9:30 to 11 a.m.; music live stream with Frank and Mike, channel 99.1, 2 p.m.; afternoon room visits.

Thursday: Morning room visits; casino games, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; church with Pastor Vicki, 2 p.m.; afternoon room visits.

Friday: Resident raffle drawings; morning room visits; bowling, 9:30 a.m.; dessert cart, 1:30 p.m.; afternoon room visits.

Saturday: Word game packet; morning room visits; “Name That Tune,” 10 a.m.; high rollers, 2 p.m.; afternoon room visits.

Manor Care

906-774-4805

Limited visitation has resumed for family and friends. Appointments must be made in advance by calling the center.

Maryhill Manor

715-251-3172

Scheduled visits are being allowed in the facility’s living room. Call ahead to reserve. The weekly Happy Hour and bingo have resumed for residents only.

Sunday: Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; Coffee and “Family Feud,” 10:15 a.m.; Mothers’ Day social, 2 p.m.; Protestant service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Church service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10:15 a.m.; snowball fight and hot cocoa, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Church service, 9 a.m.; coffee, cookies and travel club, 10:15 a.m.; miniature golf, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Church service, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 9 a.m.; ball toss, 10:15 a.m.; camp fire, s’mores, sing along, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; “Hang Man,” 10:15 a.m.; four seasons creative art, 2 p.m.

Friday: Bag toss, 10:15 a.m.; karaoke party, happy hour, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Spelling bee, 10:15 a.m.; Netflix movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Golden Living Center

Florence

715-528-4833

Visitation is allowed in designated areas only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Each visit is limited to 30 minutes and must be scheduled in advance. All visitors will be subject to health screening before entering the facility. Residents have resumed some small group activities.

Victorian Pines

774-5158

Limited visitation has resumed in resident apartments only.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Mother’s Day tea, 10 a.m.; Catholic Mass, channel 66.1, 11 a.m.; word search, 2 p.m.

Monday: Movie trivia, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; tourist trivia and ice cream social, 1:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social, 10:30 a.m.; hula hoop and limbo, 2 p.m.; room visits, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; carnival games, 1:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Friday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; science experiment, 1:30 p.m.; mind joggers, 3:30 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; room visits, 3:30 p.m.

SENIOR CENTERS

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

The Amasa Center is a curbside pick-up-only kitchen for now. Call ahead for Tuesdays through Thursdays. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Ham, baked potato, corn and coleslaw.

Wednesday: Meatballs, mashed potatoes, broccoli and lettuce.

Thursday: Lasagna, green beans, garlic bread and lettuce.

Note: All meals include milk, bread and butter, fruit and dessert.

Breen Center

906-774-5110

Call for home delivery or a to-go box. Menu for the week —

Monday: Spaghetti, meat sauce and garlic bread.

Tuesday: Barbecue sandwich, baked beans and wedges.

Wednesday: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and broccoli.

Thursday: Chili and biscuits.

Friday: Shrimp pasta and side salad.

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Crystal Falls Center

Head cook: Lucy Korhonen

906-875-6709

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-239-0278

Home-delivered meals only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Smothered chicken, mashed potatoes and carrots.

Tuesday: Ham and cheese sliders, potato wedges, baked beans.

Wednesday: Chicken noodle soup, cottage cheese, bread and butter.

Thursday: Pepperoni pizza, breadsticks and Italian vegetable blend.

Friday: Pasties, side salad, ketchup and Jell-O

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice or no beverage.

For more information, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Carry-out only — call ahead. Menu for the week —

Monday: Shrimp, vegetable bake and noodles.

Tuesday: Pizza, coleslaw and garlic bread.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, carrots and salad.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Home-delivered meals only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken vegetable noodle soup, dark green salad, bread sticks and fruit.

Tuesday: Sloppy Joes, baked beans, mozzarella sticks, pasta salad and fruit.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, broccoli Normandy, fruit and cream pie.

Thursday: Baked ham, German potato salad, peas, fruit and fudgy brownies.

Friday: Spanish rice, cauliflower, cucumbers in sour cream and fruit.

Note: All meals served with whole grain bread and butter and milk.

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

For meal reservations, call 855-528-2372

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

For meal reservations, call 715-528-4261

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Tipler Town Hall

For meal reservations, call 715-674-2320

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

For meal reservations, call 715-589-4491

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Pam Haluska

906-498-7735

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Home-delivered meals only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Mushroom cheeseburger, potato wedges, wax beans, fruit and milk.

Tuesday: Parmesan chicken, noodles, green beans, breadstick, dessert and milk.

Wednesday: Tuna noodle casserole, carrots, roll, fruit and milk.

Thursday: Pulled pork, sweet potato, broccoli, dessert and milk.

All meals include 8 ounces skim milk or juice.

Norway Center

Director: Michelle DeSimone

906-563-8716

The center will remain closed; however, takeout meals will be prepared for pick up — those picking up must call ahead and wear a mask.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Pork chop, mashed potatoes and gravy and carrots.

Tuesday: Chicken parmesan, noodles, breadstick and broccoli.

Wednesday: Finnish pancake, fresh strawberries, muffin, sausage and hash browns.

Thursday: Roast beef over bread, red potatoes and green beans.

All meals include milk, juice, fruit, bread and dessert.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Now open with limited seating from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Pork casserole, green beans, potatoes and apple slices.

Wednesday: Italian chicken, sweet potatoes, corn and pears.

Thursday: Ham and cheese sandwich, macaroni salad, vegetable sticks and dip and peaches.

All meals served with fruit and choice of skim milk or juice.