NIAGARA, Wis. — It is no exaggeration to say most of us believe that our world is a difficult place right now with so many challenges that are too big for any one person to make a difference. It is discouraging, to say the least, and scary as we wonder when “things will get back to what they used to be.” But this past Sunday morning Steve Hartman reminded us, as he usually does, that each of us can help to make a difference when we just take a moment to notice the situation — and that there are still many people in our world who do see and respond.

As I was growing up, my mother always reminded us not to judge others because we never knew what trouble they were experiencing in their lives. Whenever any of us would speak badly of a teacher or one of the kids in our class, she would always say, “Never judge others until you have walked a mile in their shoes. You do not know what troubles they have in their lives.” We learned empathy from her in those moments. I am sure many of you can recall similar “teachable moments” from your own childhoods. And I am sure that there is plenty of empathy in our society of which we are not aware: ordinary people doing what they can for friends, neighbors and even strangers when the need arises.

Such was the case in the story Hartman related this past Sunday. He told the story of a meticulous, female Minneapolis city bus driver who checked through her bus thoroughly each morning before she made her rounds of bus stops. On this particular July day, however, she also took special notice of something outside her bus. As she was driving down a busy city street, a woman crossed right in front of the bus. She stopped, opened the door to pick her up, and really took notice of the woman’s condition. There she stood with disheveled hair, ragged clothes, a dirty face … and no shoes.

What did this bus driver do? Did she refuse to let her on the bus? She obviously could not pay the fare. No, this driver did not do that. Instead, she noticed her bare feet and could only imagine how painful it was for this homeless woman to be walking around on the hot city pavement in July. As the woman got up to get off the bus, that driver actually took off her own shoes and gave them to the woman to wear! She stepped off that bus at least a little more comfortable than she had been when she boarded.

“I knew it was a big no-no to drive my bus in stocking feet,” that bus driver explained. “But I just couldn’t help it! All I could think of was how much it must hurt her to be barefoot on such hot pavement.” Amazing.

Was that gesture going to cure the homeless problem? No. Was it going to help the woman turn her life around? Probably not. Were those shoes going to help make her life on the streets a little less uncomfortable? Yes, for sure. Sometimes it is the smallest of gestures that can help to make the biggest difference in the moment.

The story continues. Many of the other passengers noticed the deed this bus driver had just done. One female passenger especially had noticed because she had personal experience with homelessness herself. She explained that when you are homeless, you feel invisible as people walk past you on the streets without even turning their heads to see you. But, not only had the bus driver seen the homeless woman, she immediately recognized the danger she was in, and took action to help. One small deed, for one homeless woman. Who knows the big difference it will make?

Steve Hartman ended his story with these words: “We’re always told to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes. But in certain moments, it’s almost more important to let them stand in ours.”

There are individuals, however, who have found ways to help millions of people around the world. One such individual is Dr. Anthony Fauci. I just finished reading his newly released autobiography. To say it was impressive would be an understatement. For 38 years, Dr. Fauci served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, one of the 28 departments of the National Institutes of Health, which is a department of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Over the course of his service to our country, he was involved in the research and development of vaccines to control the spread of various viruses and to devise strategies of prevention and containment so they would not enter the United States. Specifically, he was instrumental in the development of vaccines and/or treatments for HIV/AIDS, anthrax, smallpox, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), various influenza outbreaks, Ebola, Zika and COVID. He worked for seven different presidents in the course of his career. The number of lives saved because of his relentless devotion to his mission is innumerable.

His life was definitely a model of service to his fellowman. And his attitude was the epitome of empathy. Early in his book, he explained that both sets of grandparents were immigrants from Italy who raised their children in Brooklyn through some very rough times. They knew hardship. His father became a pharmacist, and Tony was raised in an apartment above that pharmacy. He witnessed how his father would give medicine to people who were sick and needed it even though they could not afford it. He was surrounded by that model of empathy all his life. Now, in retirement at the age of 82, he is teaching students at Georgetown University in the School of Medicine and the McCourt School of Public Policy. He is passing his knowledge to future generations along with a healthy dose of empathy.

Certainly, we cannot all be Dr. Fauci. But most of us can be like the bus driver who gave the homeless woman her own shoes. We do not live in a metropolitan area like Minneapolis so we may be tempted to believe we do not have similar problems. We don’t have homeless people in Iron Mountain or Kingsford. Really? Have you not noticed sometimes older individuals on bicycles they can barely drive loaded down with big plastic bags of aluminum cans they have collected to turn in for the deposit? I am sure if you contacted folks at the Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity, they would give you a different picture of our area.

It is so easy to believe that most people are like us. We collect social security and maybe a pension from our former employer, or are drawing from an IRA in our retirement. We can afford groceries, gas for our car, have a roof over our heads and can pay our bills every month. So, we assume we do not have the social problems in our northern communities that the bigger cities have. Sadly, that is not the case for there is much need out there even in our small world.

So, let’s be like that bus driver. Let’s open our eyes and see those living in our midst who may need a helping hand. Let’s pick up the phone and call local service agencies to see how we can help. And let’s ponder these words of Marvin J. Ashton: “If we could look into each other’s hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care.”

The problems our country faces are big, but when we all pitch in to help one another, we can begin to turn the corner on many social problems. We can all practice empathy. For there is another saying from my childhood that I know you have probably heard as well: “Many hands make light work.”

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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. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

On the third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. they 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.; staff and resident ice cream social, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Breakfast fun, 7:45 a.m.; rosary, 10 a.m.; room visits, 10 a.m.; dice club, 1:30 p.m.; reminiscing, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Breakfast fun, 7:45 a.m.; hair day, 10 a.m.; Uno, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Breakfast fun, 7:45 a.m.; “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” dining room, 10 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Breakfast fun, 7:45 a.m.; resident council meeting, 10 a.m.; bean bag toss, 11 a.m.; resident choice of games, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Breakfast fun, 7:45 a.m.; morning walk, 10 a.m.; Skip-bo, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Breakfast fun, 7:45 a.m.; word search puzzle, 10 a.m.; family time, 2 p.m.; “Weakest Link” on PBS, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

No information available.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Scattegories, 1 p.m.

Monday: Coffee clutch, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Flip-o, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee, clutch, 9:30 a.m.; current events, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; tabletop bowling, 2 p.m.

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

Thursday: Coffee clutch, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Sunshine Club/outside fun, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee clutch, 9:30 a.m.; reminiscing, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; shop op, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; arts and crafts, 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: Coffee and trivia, 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.; courtyard mingle, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; current events, 10 a.m.; courtyard campfire – hot dogs, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

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

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; “You Be the Judge,” 10 a.m.; courtyard social, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: Uno, 10 a.m.; courtyard fair, 1 to 3 p.m.; Packers vs. Eagles, 7:15 p.m.

Saturday: Scrabble, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

Sunday: Independent activities.

Monday: Crafts, pinwheels, 10 a.m.; memory games, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Social/coffee, 10 a.m.; manicure, 2 p.m.

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

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

Friday: Catholic communion, 10 a.m.; movie, 2 p.m.; room visits, 2:30 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: Room visits, 9 a.m.; reminisce, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.

Monday: Trivia, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Getting pretty, 9:30 a.m.; men’s club, 10 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; garden club, 2 p.m.; romance movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Sunshine Club, 9:30 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; Dan’s songs for seniors, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzle, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; pontoon ride, 1 p.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; happy hour with Gayle, 2 p.m.

Friday: Crafts with Bea, 9:30 a.m.; pontoon ride, 10 a.m.; Activity Council, 10:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; Grandparents’ Day party, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Room to room bingo/smart shoppers, 9:30 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Garlic parmesan haddock, tartar sauce, mashed potatoes, steamed carrots, dinner roll, pudding cup.

Wednesday: Baked pork chops, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, biscuit, applesauce.

Thursday: French bread pizza, Italian vegetables, fruit crumble.

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: Closed for Labor Day.

Tuesday: Meat loaf, mashed potatoes, candied carrots, garlic cheese bread.

Wednesday: Beef stroganoff, mixed vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll.

Thursday: French bread pizza, Italian blend vegetables, fruit crumble.

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 dining 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: Closed for Labor Day (see Thursday).

Tuesday: Brats, oven-browned potatoes, baked beans.

Wednesday: Taco casserole with tortilla chips.

Thursday: Cheesy cod, parsley boiled potatoes.

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

Monday: For Labor Day, Monday meal will be delivered Tuesday — white chili with beans, cornbread, side salad, orange.

Tuesday: Chicken teriyaki bowl, peaches, biscuit.

Wednesday: Oven-fried fish and chips, tartar sauce, steamed green beans.

Thursday: Cheese pizza with ham, carrots, pineapple.

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: For Labor Day, Monday meal will be delivered on Tuesday — white chili with beans, cornbread, side salad, orange.

Tuesday: Chicken teriyaki bowl, peaches, biscuit.

Wednesday: Oven -fried fish and chips, tartar sauce, steamed green beans.

Thursday: Cheese pizza with ham, carrots, pineapple.

Friday: Taco salad, fiesta corn, tortilla chips, 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:

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: Closed for Labor Day.

Tuesday: Taco salad, fiesta corn, tortilla chips, salsa/sour cream, pudding cup.

Wednesday: Meat loaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, steamed green beans.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: For Labor Day, Monday meal will be delivered on Tuesday — white chili with beans, cornbread, side salad, orange.

Tuesday: Chicken teriyaki bowl, peaches, biscuit.

Wednesday: Oven-fried fish and chips, tartar sauce, steamed green beans.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Menu for the week —

Monday: Closed for Labor Day.

Tuesday: Pork loin, mashed potatoes, harvard beets, fruit.

Wednesday: Beef stew, biscuits, fruit, pumpkin bar.

Thursday: Chicken tenders, baked sweet potato, Western baked beans, spinach salad, fruit salad.

Friday: Tuna pasta salad, tomato soup, cornbread, 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, 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: Closed for Labor Day.

Tuesday: Bratwurst, hot dog bun, green beans, oven potatoes, mixed fruit cup.

Wednesday: Country-fried steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, peas and onions, fruit cocktail, whole wheat bread.

Thursday: Barbecue pulled pork, hamburger bun, oven potatoes, carrots, fresh fruit.

Friday: Beef steak over rice, missed vegetables, Brussel sprouts, fruited yogurt, whole wheat bread.

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: Closed for Labor Day — meal of turkey sandwich, string cheese, Jell-O cup and banana will be delivered on Tuesday.

Tuesday: Barbecue pork, baked beans, whole wheat dinner roll, side salad.

Wednesday: Pasty, coleslaw, corn, chunky applesauce.

Thursday: Chicken and spaghetti, green beans, breadstick.

Niagara Senior Center/Café

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: Chicken and spaghetti, broccoli, warm peaches.

Wednesday: Ham, scalloped potatoes, carrots, applesauce, wheat dinner roll.

Thursday: Green and Gold Day – brat on a bun, potato salad, baked beans, fruit salad, cookie.

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

Norway Center

Director: Joyce Olesky

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: Meatballs, egg noodles, gravy, acorn squash.

Tuesday: Chicken patty on a bun, tater barrels, peas.

Wednesday: Pizza burger, sweet potato fries, carrots.

Thursday: Soft taco with vegetable toppings, corn, rice.

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. For more information, call Joe at 906-563-5587.

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 are available. Salad bar opens at 11 a.m. and meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals also can be ordered.

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Chicken fettuccine Alfredo, broccoli, dinner roll with butter, pudding cup.

Wednesday: Hearty beef stew, pickled beets, whole wheat dinner roll.

Thursday: Pork roast, fried cabbage, peas, dessert.

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

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: For Labor Day, Monday meal will be delivered on Tuesday — white chili with beans, cornbread, side salad, orange.

Tuesday: Chicken teriyaki bowl, peaches, biscuit.

Wednesday: Oven -fried fish and chips, tartar sauce, steamed green beans.