NIAGARA, Wis. — Most of us can say we like music. And those of us who enjoy music usually have a favorite type or specific kinds we enjoy most when played on certain occasions. And some of us have even had the opportunity to learn to play an instrument and may have been a member of a band or an orchestra at some time in our lives. It strikes me that we can learn a lot about getting along in life when we compare our world to one big band or orchestra.

I was fortunate to have been exposed to symphony music when I was young. My mother worked many years for a college in our home town, and one of her employee benefits was a free pair of tickets to all of the plays and concerts held on campus. Sometimes they were plays put on by the students in the drama department or recitals played by music students. Other times they were symphonies that stopped on our campus as part of their tour. My three siblings and I took turns attending these events with our mother, and they were truly special occasions that we all appreciated the opportunity to experience.

Once we entered junior high school, we had the opportunity to take band and learn to play an instrument. My sister learned the clarinet and was very good at it. She was a natural competitor and took advantage of the challenges within her section to move to “first chair,” which meant that she was the best clarinet player in the band. Her sheet music was so complicated it was nearly black with so many notes. My brother, her twin, played the tenor saxophone. He played until being in the school band got in the way of his athletic pursuits; he opted to pursue tennis with a vengeance, eventually coaching the girls’ team at the college level.

I was not as talented or competitive, but I stayed in band all the way through high school graduation. In junior high, I learned on the clarinet and worked hard to learn the notes and memorize the appropriate fingering. I never advanced to anywhere near first chair but enjoyed it.

When I got to freshman year in high school band, they really did not need more clarinet players, and I had a different band teacher. He determined that the notes I played in the higher octaves on my clarinet were flat because of the way my mouth was constructed so he asked if I would be interested in trying a different woodwind instrument; the band needed a bassoon player. The bassoon is the oboe’s “big brother.” I agreed to give it a try.

I began taking lessons only to find out that bassoon music was written in bass clef; I had learned treble clef to play the clarinet. So, not only did I have to learn all new fingerings, I had to learn to read different music as well. It was just too much. I was disappointed because the bassoon was a very cool-sounding instrument. It is a mahogany-colored hollow tube about four inches in diameter and about five feet long. A narrow metal tube curves away from the body of the instrument and holds a double reed at the end. To play it, one blows through the reed and the narrow metal pipe to fill the entire wooden tube while depressing any number of valves and keys for the different notes. The resulting sound is amazing. It had a sound like a very deep, bass version of a snake charmer’s flute.

So, back to the clarinet section I went. But this time I played alto clarinet and eventually found my place as one of four bass clarinet players. The notes were in treble clef — my comfort zone — and the mouthpieces were much larger so my high notes were no longer flat. And, as an added bonus, the music was so much easier to play. I was, in all practicality, playing the “tuba of the woodwinds.” I accompanied the other clarinet players and only on rare occasions did I actually get to play two or three measures of melody. Had I continued with my initial clarinet, I would have ended up dropping band; the melody was just too difficult for me. But I enjoyed playing the deep bass parts while listening to all of the beautiful melodies swirling around me.

If we were a band student, we also had to march in parades for various occasions and always marched on the football field during half-time of the homecoming game. Autumn was a time to practice in the city streets near the high school and to learn the marching formations on the football field. Turning corners while keeping our lines straight was especially challenging. The person closest to the curb had to take tiny steps while the student marching farthest away from the curb was taking giant strides. And counting was extremely important because outside it was very difficult to hear the other sections playing their parts; one tended to only hear their own instrument. So, counting beats and counting steps kept everyone playing and marching together.

I cannot imagine the level of patience required to be a band teacher. Ours was strict, but he had to be in order to keep one hundred high school musicians playing and marching together. We had required monthly band lessons in addition to band class every day. We played concerts three times a year, competed in competitions annually against other schools, marched in parades twice each year and played in pep band for all of the home basketball and football games. As a band member, you never wanted to be on the receiving end of one of the director’s “hate stares,” which always happened when you played on a rest. Oh, my goodness, that happened to me once, and I thought I was going to turn into a pile of ash in my chair.

Looking back on those years in high school band, I realize now how many life lessons the experience gave me. In an orchestra, as in life, we all have a part to play. And it may take several attempts to figure out just what part is best for us. What role in life will we play? We may have to attempt many different jobs before we settle into one that is just the right fit. The same is true in relationships. We date for years, sometimes, before we find just the right person who completes us and with whom we can build a life. As the old saying goes: “You have to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince.”

And when we do find the right job or relationship, we learn quickly that we are part of a team all pushing together to get a job done to the best of our collective ability. We do not always have the lead role or play the melody and quite often serve as a supporting member or background accompaniment. But when we are needed to lead, we must to be ready to take on that responsibility. We learn that people, like musical instruments, are different. Woodwinds are not brass horns and a drum is not a violin. Each instrument takes special skill to play and appreciate. Different personalities require different approaches if we are to work together to get a job done well.

Finally, in life we need a strong leader. A band or orchestra needs a conductor. In the workplace, we need a manager. In a family, we need strong parents. Leaders need to have a vision of the end result and a sense of the group’s potential. A good leader will know how to inspire everyone to work to their full potential so that in the end, the group has accomplished its best work and everyone who helped appreciates their part in making something greater than themselves.

And when everyone in the orchestra is playing on the same page, the music is indeed beautiful … and so it is in life. When we work for the common good with a strong leader to guide us, life is indeed a beautiful song.

——

NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

They welcome anyone who would like to entertain residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

Sunday: Church on TV/resident self-activities, 10 a.m.

Monday: Dining room fun, 10 a.m.; dining music, 11:45 a.m.; dice club, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Hair, 10 a.m.; dining music, 11:45 a.m.; movie “Steel Magnolias” and popcorn, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; dining trivia, 11:45 a.m.; craft/art, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Spa hour, 10 a.m.; dining music, 11:45 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Resident choice; color a nice picture, 1 p.m.; CNBC “Undercover Boss,” 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; high rollers, 10 a.m.; chair exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.

Monday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; Riddler, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee social; Book Club 9:30 a.m.; mystery ride, 1 p.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; western movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; just friends, 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; Dan’s songs for seniors, 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.; happy hour with music, 2 p.m.

Friday: Dress selection, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; cooking club, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: “Price Is Right”/pass the prize, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 11 a.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Note: Valentine ball dress and clothing selection will be in the Wood Haven Activity Center throughout the week.

Optalis Healthcare

(formerly Manor Care/ProMedica)

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: File and style, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; po-ke-no, 1 p.m.

Monday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; exercise, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; Name That, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; brownie sundae, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 9 a.m.; file and style, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; shop op, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; who’s that? 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Friday: Chips and chatter, 9 a.m.; reminiscing, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; “The Price Is Right” football, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; lunar craft, 1 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Sunday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; movie and snacks, 2 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; chopsticks games, 10 a.m.; music with Bob Larson, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; baking cupcakes, 10 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; Candyland, 10 a.m.; candy making with Bobbi, 2 p.m.

Friday: National Flannel Day, wear flannel; Monthly birthday coffee clutch, 10 a.m.; make your own pizza, 1 p.m.; C & R happy hour, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Uno, 10 a.m.; prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

Sunday: Independent activities.

Monday: Valentine’s chain of love, 10 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Coloring for adults, 10 a.m.; manicure, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Exercise, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Pastor Jason, 10 a.m.; coffee social, 2 p.m.

Friday: Catholic communion, 10 a.m.; movie, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Independent activities.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical

Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; church services, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; cards, 2 p.m.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; Can You Picture This? 11 a.m.; manicure Monday, 2 p.m.; Uno, 4 p.m.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; Cupid, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; hot cocoa social, 4 p.m.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; who-what-where, 11 a.m.; baking, 2 p.m.; bologna (card game), 4 p.m.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; bingo, 10:30 a.m.; Escanaba city band, 2 p.m.; sensory, 4 p.m.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; cooking with activities, 11 a.m.; Valentine craft, 2 p.m.; short story video, 4 p.m.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; kickball, 10:15 a.m.; trivia, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; activity packets

SENIOR CENTERS

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

The center at 415 Main St. is open four days a week, serving soup and sandwich meal from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays, fish fries from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays, pizzas from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturdays and dinner from 2 to 3 p.m. Sundays.

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, sausage patties, orange juice.

Wednesday: Smothered pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables, applesauce.

Thursday: Crunchy cod, cheesy hash browns, creamy coleslaw.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Open for dine-in eating Monday through Thursday, serving at noon. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables, applesauce.

Tuesday: Meatballs, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn.

Wednesday: Chili, cornbread, pudding.

Thursday: Baked fish, cheesy hash browns, creamy coleslaw.

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

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook: Sterling Peryam

Assistant Cook: Bitsy Peryam

906-875-6709

The center is open on Mondays and is serving meals for dine-in or takeout — call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or place an order. All food is purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. — call ahead and leave a message with phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken Alfredo, garlic bread.

Tuesday: Sloppy Joes, oven-baked potatoes.

Wednesday: Steak tips over mashed potatoes.

Home-delivered meals (prepared by DICSA — independent from above menu) —

Monday: Chicken cacciatore, parsley buttered noodles, dinner roll, fresh fruit.

Tuesday: Blackened fish, au gratin potatoes, cauliflower.

Wednesday: Sausage and potato skillet, peas and carrots, croissant, Jell-O.

Thursday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian blend vegetables, breadstick.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 230 or 235

This is a Meals on Wheels program only. Home-delivered meals only — call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken cacciatore, parsley buttered noodles, dinner roll, fresh fruit.

Tuesday: Blackened fish, au gratin potatoes, cauliflower.

Wednesday: Sausage and potato skillet, peas and carrots, croissant, Jell-O.

Thursday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian blend vegetables, breadstick.

Friday: Chef salad, cottage cheese, pineapple.

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

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

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-828-1776

Schedule for the week:

Monday: Les Artistes’ Art Club, noon to 4 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards, pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents with 10 games played.

Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday: Cards, smear, noon to 4 p.m.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Dine-in eating available — call for serving times. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Philly cheese steak sandwich, chips, coleslaw.

Tuesday: Omelet, oven-browned potatoes, sausage.

Wednesday: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Chicken cacciatore, parsley buttered noodles, dinner roll, fresh fruit.

Tuesday: Blackened fish, au gratin potatoes, cauliflower.

Wednesday: Sausage and potato skillet, peas and carrots, croissant, Jell-O.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Menu for the week —

Monday: Baked chicken, baked potato, roasted Brussel sprouts, fruit.

Tuesday: Cook’s choice — entrée, vegetable, fruit.

Wednesday: Pasty, beet salad, fruit, birthday cake.

Thursday: Glazed pork chops, mashed potatoes, candied carrots, fruit, ice cream.

Friday: Shepherd’s pie, stewed tomatoes, salad, fruit.

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

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

RSVP for meal at 855-528-2372

Same as ADRC menu, served at noon on Wednesday only.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

RSVP for meal at 715-528-4261

Same as ADRC menu, served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday.

Reservations for a meal onsite need to be made 48 hours in advance by calling the above number.

Tipler Town Hall

RSVP for meals at 715-674-2320

Same as ADRC menu, served at noon on second Thursday only.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

RSVP for meals at 715-589-4491

Same as ADRC menu, served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Barb Peters

906-498-7735

Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals-On-Wheels program is available for those who are homebound.

Monday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, peaches, whole wheat bread.

Tuesday: Meat lasagna, Brussel sprouts, side salad with ranch dressing, scalloped apples.

Wednesday: English muffin sandwich (egg, sausage, cheese), hash brown potatoes, orange, tomato juice.

Thursday: Chili over a baked potato with sour cream and cheddar cheese, cornbread, cooked apples.

Friday: Swiss chicken with mushrooms over rice, cook’s choice vegetables and fruit cup.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Dine-in eating, serving at 11 a.m. Salad bar is available. Carryout meals also available. No night meals at this time. Menu for the week —

Monday: Cowboy casserole, buttered corn, applesauce.

Tuesday: Italian beef sandwich, orzo pasta, stewed tomatoes.

Wednesday: Chicken cordon bleu casserole, cauliflower, beets.

Thursday: Pork/apple stew, squash, spaetzle, Jell-O.

Niagara Senior Center/Café

715-251-1603

Dinner is served at noon on Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Bingo played on most Wednesdays. Transportation is available.

Tuesday: Grilled chicken sandwich, stuffed spuds, peas, cookie.

Wednesday: Pork steak, baby potatoes, green beans, dinner roll, Jell-O poke cake.

Thursday: Super Bowl party – Hot dog on a bun, baked beans, German potato salad, dessert.

The center will have bingo on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this month.

Norway Center

Director: Joyce Olesky

Head Cook:  Brian Gutkowski. 

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating beginning at 11:15 a.m. Salad bar is available from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Takeout meals will remain available for pick-up from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Let staff know if planning to dine in or pick up. Menu for the week —

Monday: Lasagna, breadstick, vegetable.

Tuesday: Philly cheese steak sandwich, potato wedges, vegetable.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, vegetable.

Thursday: Chicken patty on a bun, tater barrels, vegetable.

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

Center activity schedule:

Mondays and Thursdays — Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.

Monday through Thursday — Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.

Tuesdays — Quilting and sewing.

Wednesdays — Ceramics and crocheting.

Last Monday of each month — Book club at 9 a.m.

Second Thursday of each month — Birthdays and bingo.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Dine-in eating available — call for serving times. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Pepper steak, rice, green beans, pudding cup.

Wednesday: Smothered chicken with mushroom sauce, buttered noodles, California blend vegetables.

Thursday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, applesauce.

All meals served with an option of milk, juice or no beverage.

Home-delivered meals –

Monday: Chicken cacciatore, parsley buttered noodles, dinner roll, fresh fruit.

Tuesday: Blackened fish, au gratin potatoes, cauliflower.

Wednesday: Sausage and potato skillet, peas and carrots, croissant, Jell-O.