NIAGARA, Wis. — I recently read a brief article that discussed how different the workplace etiquette was in the 1960s. It triggered my memory of the different workplaces I had experienced — both part-time and full-time. The evolution of what was acceptable back then compared to how it had changed by the time I retired was quite remarkable. Not only were the times different, but the nature of the workplaces themselves — college library, factory, restaurant, office, and healthcare setting– made for some very interesting comparisons. I learned a ton about different workplace customs and about people.

First, the article I read that got me started on this walk down memory lane discussed the more surprising aspects of workplace etiquette during the 1960s. Despite being labeled a decade of radical cultural change, the workplace remained a throwback to postwar traditionalism and formality. In offices of all kinds, people were expected to dress up and respect their superiors. Women held lower positions that didn’t pay nearly as much as men’s roles, racial diversity was sorely lacking, and behaviors that are now considered unhealthy and unprofessional could be everyday occurrences on the job.

Smoking at work was commonplace. In the 1960s, approximately 42% of American adults were smokers. The habit was common at just about every workplace, and it was normal to see smoke filling the air and full ashtrays not only in business offices, but also in hospital halls and airplanes. This unhealthy habit remained commonplace in the workplace throughout the 1960s and for decades to follow, until most workplaces banned the practice in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Drinking alcohol on the job was also commonplace. It was not at all unusual to see well-stocked bar carts or bottles of spirits tucked into desk drawers in the 1960s. It was also common for executives at big-city advertising agencies and corporate firms to head to nearby bars for what became known as a “three martini lunch.”

Despite women wearing “trousers” casually at home after World War II, they dressed more formally in the workplace; dresses and skirts with stockings and heels were the norm. Men dressed in suits and ties.

I started working summer jobs as soon as I turned 15 in 1966. Because of my mother’s position at Ripon College, I was able to get campus jobs pretty easily. My favorite summer job was in the college library where I did the busy work that no one else had the time for or enjoyed doing. I opened the mail every day and put out the current periodicals; in a library, there are a lot of subscriptions that change monthly. I also repaired book bindings, and I shelved books constantly — by the cart load. I became very familiar with the quiet, dark “stacks.” I was also introduced to the morning coffee break. At the library back then, those breaks could easily last an hour each morning throughout the summer! The conversation was very interesting to my young ears, and I was introduced to the fine art of drinking tea, which I continue to this day. The pace was slow and very quiet.

My introduction to both factory and restaurant work came in the early years of marriage as I worked while my husband finished his college degree in the early 1970s. Oh, my goodness, the culture of both was not only different from what I had experienced in the past but very different from each other. The only thing they had in common was their fast pace. I had never worked in a factory before, and I did not realize I was not supposed to visit with my co-workers. My chatter got me moved from hand packing frozen jelly rolls to packing frozen dinner rolls — alone — while trying to keep up with a merciless conveyor belt. What a nightmare; it was “I Love Lucy” revisited. I was brought to tears as the box overflowed and those darn rolls landed on the floor. We dressed in all white jeans, sweatshirts, long underwear and warm socks; I returned home after the third shift frozen to the bone! It was the only job from which I was fired, and I was not unhappy to leave.

I was hired as a waitress at Nino’s Steak House after that where I wore orange cowboy boots, orange petticoat and blouse along with a fake leather vest and skirt. The pace was just as fast, but in a very social way as we were encouraged to make conversation as we served our customers. I had no prior experience as a waitress, but I learned quickly and soon had a full complement of tables that were mine. Art the bartender taught me about the different drinks and which questions to ask so he could get the order right. After a couple of embarrassing stumbles, I learned the difference between sweet and dry soda (no, scotch does not pair with sweet soda) so Art realized I had not been a nun in a former life as he had initially suspected!

Our young family moved north first to Pembine and then into Niagara in 1978. In 1979, I began working for a Kingsford construction company processing payroll. It was a unique combination of office culture and factory culture as my job responsibilities afforded me regular contact with carpenters, plumbers and electricians. Our dress code was office casual, and we dare not forget to don a hard hat if we had to go out into the plant for anything. The work atmosphere was friendly. We could converse as long as work got done on time; my payroll job had a deadline every two weeks. As long as I made no mistakes and met that deadline, I was good. Interaction with the guys in the plant, and even the men in the office, was casual. As long as we were not offended, there was no limit to off color jokes and comments, and poker was played over the lunch hour in the break room downstairs. It was also my first introduction to office politics, and I have to admit that I was painfully slow to learn.

In 1988, I began my 28-year professional career at Dickinson Memorial Hospital. It was a different kind of work environment in every respect. By that time, there were sexual harassment laws on the books that were enforced and a reporting mechanism in place. No more off-color jokes, to be sure! The work atmosphere, including a dress code, was much more formal and professional. Men dressed in business suits and women dressed in skirts and stockings and heels in administrative areas. Nurses and physicians wore uniforms, surgical scrubs, and white lab coats. Breaks were 15 minutes and lunches were a half hour.

As the years passed, and my work load increased, I ate lunch at my desk and skipped the breaks. I had the freedom to develop my own schedule as long as projects were completed on time, and people were happy with the results. Deadlines were plentiful and constant. Internal politics were tricky to navigate, and as time went on, I did get a little better at finding my way through them. It was the only place I had ever worked where I had to take a class — medical terminology — in order to understand the specialized vocabulary used on the job. It was the most challenging and most rewarding job I had ever had, and I loved it!

I enjoyed my working years — all of them. Each job was different from the one that came before it, and I learned something new at every one of them. I also learned much about myself. As rewarding as those working years were, I was happy to retire. A very wise nurse told me that when I was ready to retire, I would know it — and she was so right. After working for 50 years, I am in my eighth year of retired life and have enjoyed every minute of it. I hope all of you can say the same!

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NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

They welcome anyone who would like to entertain the residents. On the third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. we host a Memory Cafe – a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program is run by donations.

Sunday: Church on TV, 10 a.m.; lunch music, 11:45 a.m.; staff and resident ice cream social, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary, 10 a.m.; hair fixing, 10 a.m.; card club, 1:30 p.m.; reminisce, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Walking club, 10 a.m.; hydration time, 10:20 a.m.; crafts-painting 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Garden club, 10 a.m.; fit for fun, 10:30 a.m.; resident choice, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Horse racing, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 11 a.m.; happy hour fun with rice pudding, 2 p.m.

Friday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Family time, 10 a.m.; coloring fun, 1:30 p.m.; “Weakest Link” on NBC-TV.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; volleyball, 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.; bonfire, 1:30 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; bingo, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9:30 a.m.; book club, 10 a.m.; parachute, 10:45 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; Dan’s songs for seniors, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: “Name That Tune,” 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; watermelon Wednesday party with Jan and Gino, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; fair trip, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; fair trip, 1 p.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; happy hour with Jim, 2 p.m.

Friday: Memory books, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; ice cream in the pavilion, 2 p.m.; classic movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: “Price Is Right”/Pictionary, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; romance movie, 6 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; pokeno, 1 p.m.

Monday: Coffee clutch, 9 a.m.; chair exercise, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Bob Larson, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee, clutch, 9 a.m.; current events, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Scattegories, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 9 a.m.; name 5, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee clutch, 9 a.m.; chair exercise, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee clutch, 9 a.m.; reminiscing, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; “Jeopardy,” 2 p.m.

Saturday: Devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; hangman, 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: Tic tac trivia, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; prize bingo, 1:45 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Women’s breakfast, 7 a.m.; Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; picnic at the river, 11 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.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; “You Be the Judge,” 10:15 a.m.; courtyard cabana — root beer floats, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Mugs and muffins, 10 a.m.; bocce ball, 2 p.m.; Music in the Park, 6:30 p.m.

Friday: Baking demonstration, 10 a.m.; C & R happy hour with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Scrabble, 10 a.m.; courtyard games, corn hole 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

Sunday: Independent activities.

Monday: Lemonade party on the patio, 10 a.m.; group puzzle, 2 p.m.

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

Wednesday: Beach ball kick, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Pastor Jason, 10 a.m.; bean bag toss, 2 p.m.

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

Saturday: Independent activities.

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.; root beer float social on the patio, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation, open room, 9:30 a.m.; hangman, 11 a.m.; bowling, 1:45 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation, open room, 9:30 a.m.; Quik Trip and Family Dollar; pondering prompts, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; off to the races, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation, open room, 9:30 a.m.; “Jeopardy,” 11 a.m.; ker plunk, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation, open room, 9:30 a.m.; who-what-where, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; kings in a corner, 4 p.m.; Bad Waters Ski-Ters show and picnic.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation, Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; picture this, 11 a.m.; Marian Linder, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; bonfire and s’mores, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation, noodle ball, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 3 p.m.; activity packets, daily chronicles.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Chicken and spaghetti, green beans, breadstick.

Wednesday: Deluxe hamburger, seasoned potato wedges, corn-on-the-cob.

Thursday: Deluxe chef salad, egg salad slider, cottage cheese, pineapple.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Dine-in eating Monday through Thursday — salad bar at 11:30 a.m., meal at noon. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week —

Monday: Oven fried fish and chips, tartar sauce, peas.

Tuesday: Boiled dinner, biscuit, applesauce.

Wednesday: Sweet and sour pork, white rice, Oriental vegetables, fortune cookie.

Thursday: Beef ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic bread.

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 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 a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Cabbage roll casserole.

Tuesday: Chicken salad sandwich, baked beans, potato chips.

Wednesday: Shepherd’s pie, dinner roll.

Thursday: Beef burgundy, egg noodles.

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

Monday: Biscuits and sausage gravy, oven roasted potatoes, spiced pears.

Tuesday: Tater tot casserole, candied carrots, Jell-O with fruit, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Soft chicken tacos, Spanish rice, corn.

Thursday: Garlic parmesan tilapia, mashed potatoes, steamed peas, fruit cobbler.

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: Biscuits and sausage gravy, oven roasted potatoes, spiced pears.

Tuesday: Tater tot casserole, candied carrots, Jell-O with fruit, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Soft chicken tacos, Spanish rice, corn.

Thursday: Garlic parmesan tilapia, mashed potatoes, steamed peas, fruit cobbler.

Friday: Pickle and bologna croissant, carrot salad, baked chips, chocolate pudding.

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: Country style ribs, macaroni and cheese, buttered corn.

Tuesday: Beef stroganoff, noodles, mixed vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll.

Wednesday: Chicken and dressing wrap, coleslaw, chips, pudding cup.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home delivered meals —

Monday: Biscuits and sausage gravy, oven roasted potatoes, spiced pears.

Tuesday: Tater tot casserole, candied carrots, Jell-O with fruit, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Soft chicken tacos, Spanish rice, corn.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Menu for the week —

Monday: Parmesan chicken, baked sweet potato, three bean salad, fruit.

Tuesday: Mushroom Swiss burger, baked beans, sweet potato fries, fruit.

Wednesday: Country style ribs, sauerkraut, cheesy potatoes, peas and carrots, brownies.

Thursday: Sub sandwich (ham, turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomato), pasta salad, fruit, birthday cake.

Friday: Philly cheese steak casserole, candied carrots, 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

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

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. 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: Salsa chicken over rice, Capri mixed vegetables, corn, pineapple.

Tuesday: Meat lasagna, Brussel sprouts, side salad, tropical fruit.

Wednesday: Baked ham, boiled potatoes, vegetable, fruit cup, whole wheat bread.

Thursday: Turkey-broccoli casserole with cheese, zucchini, fresh fruit.

Friday: Beef stew, biscuit, sweet potato, wedges, warm peaches.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Salad bar begins at 11 a.m.; meal is served at 11:30 a.m. All meals are served with choice of skim milk or juice and fruit. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Taco salad, fiesta corn, tortilla chips and salsa, sour cream.

Tuesday: Cheesy tuna noodle bake, steamed carrots, croissant, pudding.

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

Thursday: Shredded barbecue chicken on a hoagie, sweet potato fries, peas, 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: Hamburger on a bun, warm bean salad, sweet potato tots, mixed fruit.

Wednesday: Salisbury steak with mushrooms and gravy, carrots, garlic mashed potatoes, wheat bread, cherry crisp.

Thursday: Lasagna, spinach salad with tomatoes, mixed vegetables, garlic bread.

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 available from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Takeout meals 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: Polish sausage, sauerkraut, red potatoes, 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.

Birthdays and bingo on second Thursday.

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 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: Deluxe hamburger, seasoned potato wedges, corn-on-the-cob.

Wednesday: California Cobb salad, egg salad slider, bun, baked apples a-la-mode.

Thursday: Pepper steak with rice, green beans, pudding cup.

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

Home delivered meals —

Monday: Biscuits and sausage gravy, oven roasted potatoes, spiced pears.

Tuesday: Tater tot casserole, candied carrots, Jell-O with fruit, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Soft chicken tacos, Spanish rice, corn.