NIAGARA, Wis. — I typically stay away from political discussions in this column, as I understand they can be contentious topics. And we are all bombarded with political news reports as well as campaign ads that will only increase as we get closer to November. However, I am going to make an exception this week after watching the first televised presidential debate. To say it was difficult to watch is an understatement; it was downright painful. Of course, commentary on this debate has filled the newscasts ever since. It has even spawned a backlash against President Joe Biden by some members of his own party. So, I want to spend a little time this week looking more closely — past the debate — at two important differences between these two candidates: achievement during their terms as president and personal character.

I think taking a look at past accomplishments is fair. After all, most of us applying for a job have had to give examples of our own work experience and past successes so any future employer has some idea of who he or she is hiring. In this instance, we, the people, are doing the hiring with our vote. We need to decide, given the present state of affairs in our country as well as around the world, who we can depend upon to have the knowledge, past experience and sensitivity to make the best decisions and have our own best interests at heart.

First, let’s take a look at President Biden’s accomplishments over the past 3 1/2 years. He began to rebuild an economy left in shambles by the COVID pandemic with the American Rescue Plan. He negotiated and signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to rebuild the nation’s neglected roads, bridges and dams. Biden passed the largest, albeit insufficient, gun control law in the past 30 years. Biden has made every effort to mitigate the Supreme Court’s decision to override Roe vs Wade. He signed the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 to bring production of semiconductor chips to the United States instead of relying on China. Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, lowering the cost of prescription drugs by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies. He enacted laws reducing greenhouse emissions, increasing corporate taxes and much more. He expanded the Affordable Care Act, providing medical and dental services to millions more Americans. He negotiated a comprehensive immigration bill endorsed by the Border Patrol, Mexico, and many Republicans only to see it shot down by Donald Trump. Biden’s environmental legacy includes slashing power house emissions, banning asbestos, restoring protections for endangered species and protecting a large area of Alaskan wilderness. Biden has given United States support to Ukraine and endorses the NATO alliance. Biden has pushed for universal 4-year-old kindergarten and expanded school lunches. He supports Social Security and Medicare. He has steadfastly supported the “Dreamers” and the forgiveness of student debt. This is only a brief overview of Biden’s accomplishments but is a good roadmap of what future policies might look like.

Now, let’s review Mr. Trump’s accomplishments while he was in office. He threatened to dismantle NATO (because they were not paying their full dues) while publicly accepting the word of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin over his top generals and advisors. His immigration policy included the separation of thousands of children from their parents and locking them in overcrowded cages with no efforts to reunite them. He tried to send “Dreamers” back to homes they never knew. He appointed three Supreme Court judges on the recommendations of the Federalist Society that overturned Roe v. Wade, taking women’s medical decisions away from them and putting them in the hands of predominantly older, white men. He removed protections for endangered species to allow mining and oil drilling on previously protected land. He failed to accept the advice of medical experts concerning the COVID-19 virus resulting in economic collapse, more than 1,000 American deaths per day and exploding unemployment. He cut taxes on the wealthiest Americans and increased the country’s debt by almost $8 trillion with nothing to show for it. He has suggested cutting aid to Ukraine and Palestinians. When white nationalists were demonstrating in Charlottesville, he said “you had some very bad people in that group, but you also had people that were very fine people, on both sides.” He refused to recognize climate change or efforts to develop alternative energy sources and often repeated his environmental policy as “Drill baby, drill!” He has openly admired the world’s most brutal dictators and expressed a desire to be a dictator. This brief summation gives us a road map of where Donald Trump would take this country if he becomes president again.

Now, let’s take a look at the issue of character in these two men. This can be more of a subjective comparison depending upon your own personal standards. President Biden is a family man. He has been married to first lady Jill Biden for 47 years. President Biden’s first wife and young daughter were killed in a tragic car accident in 1972 leaving him with two young sons, Beau and Hunter, to raise. He has seven grandchildren. He has shown nothing but respect for our veterans and those who were POWs. He has presided respectfully over national programs and has represented our country abroad in a manner in which we can all take pride. After winning his first presidential race, he made a concerted effort to assure the world that “America is back.”

Former president Donald Trump has five children from three marriages: Don Jr., Ivanka and Eric Trump with Ivana Trump; Tiffany Trump with Marla Maples; and Barron Trump with Melania Trump. He has been convicted by a jury in the state of New York on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. More court cases are pending. He has shown blatant disrespect for veterans and POWs. And he tried to hide multiple boxes of classified documents at his Mar-A-Lago resort. These are not the actions of a man who has respect for the office of president.

In March of this year, I wrote a column on the importance of character after listening to a televised interview with Mitt Romney, the Republican senator from Utah since 2019. Romney believes character counts and that the character of our leaders makes a difference and shapes the character of our country. He is troubled because he doesn’t see it in his party’s current candidate for the presidency. In his words, “Donald Trump represents a failure of character that in many respects is changing the psyche of our nation, and the heart of our nation, that will take a long time — if ever — to repair.” Throughout history, then, character has mattered and has been valued. Men and women of character built our country and are needed today to carry on the principles of democracy that built our nation from an upstart group of colonies to the leader of the free world.

We have a very important decision to make come November. Let’s not get bogged down in one poor performance during a 90-minute debate. Our nation — indeed the world — is in a very precarious situation right now. We need leadership that is not only experienced but also is in possession of a good heart that shapes its character … and ours.

——

NURSING HOMES / SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

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

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

Monday: Rosary, 10 a.m.; hair styling, 11 a.m.; dice club, 1:30 p.m.; reminisce, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; name that jiggle, 11 a.m.; prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Fit for fun, 10 a.m.; garden club, 11 a.m.; craft fun, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Bowling, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; happy hour — listen to music and play games, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Breakfast fun, 7:45 a.m.; room visits, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Resident choice — have fun with the weekend packet.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; scattegories, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 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.; bonfire, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9:30 a.m.; book club, 10 a.m.; resident council, 10:30 a.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; garden club, 2 p.m.; western movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Western Days begin — dress like a cowboy; cowboy breakfast, 8:30 a.m.; “Animal Kingdom,” 10 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; Christ United church, 2 p.m.; current events/night bingo, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Western Days continue — 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: Western Days conclude — Rodeo crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; wild west party with Dennis, 2 p.m.; western movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: ICMCF word search/rodeo parade, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; western movie, 6 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: File and style, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; ice cream social, 1 p.m.

Monday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; exercise, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; shop op, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; resident council, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; fun in the sun, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; chair yoga, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; tape art, 1:30 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.; movie and snacks, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; string a bling, 1 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families are allowed to attend activities and are encouraged to join in.

Sunday: Scattegories, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; prize bingo, 1:45 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; lawn darts, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; yoga session, 10 a.m.; music with Bob Larson, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 a.m.; yard Yahtzee, 10:15 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; evening prayer, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; mugs and muffins, 10:15 a.m.; badminton in the courtyard, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; music in the park, 6:30 p.m.

Friday: Cooking demonstration, 10 a.m.; C&R happy hour, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Scrabble, 10 a.m.; courtyard cabana — lemonade, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information available for July.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.

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

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

Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and 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; bean bag toss, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; church services, 1:30 p.m.; Sunday Fundays, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; pictionary, 11 a.m.; bowling, 1:45 p.m.; book club on the patio, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; resident staff challenge, 10:45 a.m.; over and under, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; remember this, 3:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; pondering prompts, 11 a.m.; happy hour with Marion Linder, 2 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; lunch outing to Hong Kong Buffet, 10:30 a.m.; travel brief, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; Uno, 4 p.m.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; who-what-where, 11 a.m.; happy hour with Vicky and Dave, 2 p.m.; book club on the patio, 4 p.m.; Kerplunk, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; noodle ball, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; activity packets

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Scalloped potatoes with ham, Brussel sprouts, dinner roll, brownie.

Wednesday: Chicken vegetable soup, bread and butter, side salad, Jell-O with fruit.

Thursday: Philly cheese sandwich, baked fries, 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: Fish with summer vegetables, baked apples, biscuit, fresh blueberries.

Tuesday: Deluxe cheeseburger, baked macaroni and cheese, corn-on-the-cob.

Wednesday: Liver and onions, roasted garlic potatoes, asparagus.

Thursday: Cheesy tuna bake, steamed carrots, coleslaw, dinner roll.

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

Crystal Falls Center

Head cook: Elizabeth Peryam

Assistant cooks: Debbie Bigalke and Shannon Stapleton

906-875-6709

The center is now open on Mondays and is serving meals for dine-in or takeout — call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or to 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 a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy

Tuesday: Spaghetti casserole, garlic bread

Wednesday: Chicken sandwich, oven-browned potatoes

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

Monday: Honey garlic chicken with vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll, fresh blueberries.

Tuesday: Chili, cornbread, side salad.

Wednesday: Ham and asparagus, stuffed potatoes, peaches, biscuit.

Thursday: Chili dog with cheese, baked fries, macaroni and cheese, pudding cup.

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: Honey garlic chicken with vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll, fresh blueberries.

Tuesday: Chili, cornbread, side salad.

Wednesday: Ham and asparagus, stuffed potatoes, peaches, biscuit.

Thursday: Chili dog with cheese, baked fries, macaroni and cheese, pudding cup.

Thursday: Chili dog with cheese, baked fries, macaroni and cheese, pudding cup.

Friday: Sack lunch, ham sandwich, string cheese, Jell-O, banana.

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 is:

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

Open for dine-in eating — call for serving times. Carryout meals also available.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Pancakes, hash brown potatoes, pears, yogurt with blueberries.

Tuesday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic bread.

Wednesday: Brat on a bun, baked fries, coleslaw.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Honey garlic chicken with vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll, fresh blueberries.

Tuesday: Chili, cornbread, side salad.

Wednesday: Ham and asparagus, stuffed potatoes, peaches, biscuit.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Menu for the week —

Monday: Chef’s salad (mixed greens, ham, turkey, cheese, egg, tomato, croutons), breadstick, cottage cheese, fruit.

Tuesday: Pizza casserole, coleslaw, fruit salad.

Wednesday: Liver and onions or chicken breast, au gratin potatoes, Emperor vegetable blend, fruit, cookies.

Thursday: Picnic Day, barbecue chicken, potato salad, baked beans, watermelon, birthday cake.

Friday: Cheeseburger, potato wedges, stewed tomatoes, applesauce.

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

Open Monday through Thursday, serving at 11:30 a.m.

Reservations for a meal on site 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. Now open, 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 for those who are homebound is available.

Monday: Scalloped potatoes, baked ham, winter blend vegetables, whole wheat bread, mixed fruit cup.

Tuesday: Taco casserole, fiesta potatoes, Mexicali corn, pineapple tidbits.

Wednesday: Chicken parmesan over pasta, Italian vegetable blend, side salad, scalloped peaches.

Thursday: Dinner frank, hot dog bun, coleslaw, corn-on-the-cob, fresh fruit.

Friday: Beef and barley soup, egg salad on a leaf of lettuce, whole wheat bread, three bean salad, fruit cup.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

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

Tuesday: Baked ham, cheesy potatoes, glazed carrots.

Wednesday: Sloppy Joe with a bun, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries.

Thursday: Honey garlic chicken with vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll, dessert.

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

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Broccoli and cheese soup, ham and cheese slider, Jell-O with fruit.

Tuesday: Baked ham, cheesy potatoes, glazed carrots.

Wednesday: Sloppy Joe with a bun, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries.

Thursday: Honey garlic chicken with vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll, dessert.

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

Dinner is served at noon 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: Penne pasta with meat sauce, mixed vegetables, garlic bread, fruit juice.

Wednesday: Bone-in chicken, mashed potatoes, broccoli, wheat bread, peach dump cake.

Thursday: Sweet and sour meatballs, rice, peas, spinach salad with tomatoes, apple pie.

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 begins at 11:15 a.m. Salad bar is available from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Takeout meals are 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: Chicken cordon bleu, baked potato, vegetable.

Tuesday: Cod, scalloped potatoes, vegetable.

Wednesday: Meatballs, mashed potatoes, vegetable.

Thursday: Ham, baked potato, vegetable.

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

Birthdays and bingo on Thursday.

Center activity schedule:

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

Monday through Thursday — Card game 101, 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 meals served. Salad bar opens at 11 a.m. and meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals also available.

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Split pea with ham soup, egg salad slider, Jell-O with fruit.

Wednesday: Pasty, coleslaw, buttered corn, apple crisp.

Thursday: Beef chop suey with vegetables, egg roll, fortune cookie, strawberry shortcake.

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

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Honey garlic chicken with vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll, fresh blueberries.

Tuesday: Chili, cornbread, side salad.

Wednesday: Ham and asparagus, stuffed potatoes, peaches, biscuit.