NIAGARA, Wis. — With the approach of spring and the celebration of Easter comes the spoiler — tax season. By the time you read this column, the deadline for filing taxes will have passed — unless, of course, you filed for an extension. Whether you figure them out yourself or work with a tax accountant, it is a good task to have completed. We may grumble about having to pay taxes, but we need to remember that our tax dollars help fund many necessary parts of our lives: schools, libraries, countless social services, and road repairs. These are things that give all of us a better quality of life and help us to live in healthier and safer communities. Like everything else in life, taxes have an interesting history behind them. Remember, it was the fight with England over taxation — the tax on tea being the final insult — that pushed our fledgling nation to take the final step toward independence from England. Enjoy the following additional taxation facts:

1. Founding father Samuel Adams once racked up a hefty tax bill. Many of our Founding Fathers held ordinary jobs — from printers, to farmers, to shopkeepers. Samuel Adams worked as a tax collector for the city of Boston. His approach to his job was rather unorthodox, as he was often lenient with townspeople who could not pay their tax bills. He delayed collection or failed to get payment altogether. And, to make matters worse, he did not keep accurate financial records.

After nine full years of holding the job, Adams had accumulated a large amount of uncollected tax bills — totaling eight thousand British pounds — for which he became personally responsible to pay. He tried to pursue payment for some of the tax debt in court. Eventually, Adams was able to settle the remainder of the substantial bill with the help of many of his friends. His role of tax collector actually helped pave the way for his eventual political ambitions, allowing him to connect with his fellow colonists, especially as he began to voice opposition against additional taxes levied by Great Britain.

2. President Abraham Lincoln created the first United States income tax. The Civil War had put a major financial strain on the United States’ budget and saddled Congress with the need to raise money for the United States Army’s wartime expenses. In 1862, President Lincoln signed the Revenue Act, the first federal income tax, as a way of generating the funds needed to pay this debt. The new law taxed workers who made more than $500 per year at 3% of their income, and workers who took home more that $10,000 were taxed at a rate of 5%. For the sake of comparison, the average pay for the lowest-ranking Union soldier was $13 per month, so, thankfully, most soldiers owed no taxes. Most of us would agree that they had already paid their debt to their country. Even Lincoln, himself paid a tax bill. However, it was discovered in 1873 that the President had overpaid his 1864 taxes by $1,250.

3. Income taxes became permanent in 1913. The income tax imposed by Lincoln was seen as a wartime necessity and repealed in 1872, seven years after the Civil War ended. However, it did not take long for legislators to implement another version of the income tax. By the 1890s, Congress aimed to lower tariffs, which were taxes paid on imported products that affected the cost of goods for all Americans. Any revenue lost as a result of lowering tariffs, they decided, should be made up by reinstating the income tax. An unsuccessful attempt to revive the income tax cropped up in 1894, only to be rejected by the Supreme Court. The idea was continuously brought before Congress, and by 1913 the 16th Amendment, which officially allowed Congress to collect income taxes, was formally ratified.

4. IRS agents once investigated Prohibition lawbreakers. The 18th Amendment banned the manufacture and sale of alcohol, ushering in the period of our history known as Prohibition. When this law took effect in 1920, none other than the Internal Revenue Service — IRS — was charged with its enforcement. The IRS established its own Prohibition Unit, employing agents charged with the responsibility of investigating and busting underground speakeasies, bootleggers and anyone who was illegally brewing or selling the unlawful liquor. You may recall watching “The Untouchables” on television when you were a kid and cheering on Eliot Ness as he and his men attempted to rid the streets of mobsters. In real life, some major arrests were made — like the notorious mob boss, Al Capone, who, ironically, was successfully prosecuted for tax evasion!

The program was ill-fated from the start. The federal government initially only had the funds for 1,500 agents, many of whom were undertrained, overworked and susceptible to bribery or political pressure. In 1927, Prohibition enforcement shifted from the IRS to the Department of Justice, which carried out investigations until Prohibition ended in 1933.

5. Tax Day has not always been in April. While the deadline for filing a tax return can shift by a day or two each year, it usually falls on or around April 15. However, it wasn’t always that way. Originally, income taxes were due in March. Once the 16th Amendment was passed allowing for the collection of income taxes, Congress set March 1 as the deadline for filing a tax return, though it’s not clear why that date was selected. In 1919, six years after the income tax had been initiated, the deadline was moved to March 15 to give taxpayers a little extra time. The long-standing date of April 15 came about in 1955. That year, Congress believed an additional month would help taxpayers who were facing increasingly complicated tax laws. The biggest perk, however, may have been for IRS employees, who gained an extra month to process a large number of tax returns.

6. The IRS experimented with e-filing for four years. Electronically filing tax returns can save a few stamps and speed up any refund to which we may be entitled. This electronic option would not be possible without the four years of IRS experimentation in the 1980s when citizens in select cities were allowed to try out the first electronic filing system. Hoping to reduce operating costs, the IRS launched its prototype program in 1986, available to select tax preparers in: Cincinnati, Ohio; Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; and Phoenix, Arizona. However, the earliest system had one major limitation — it could only electronically process returns that were due refunds. Oh darn! The federal e-filing system expanded over the next four years, so by 1990, electronic filing rolled out nationwide. It’s been so successful that nearly 204 million tax returns were filed electronically in 2021. This accounted for almost 78% of all submitted taxes.

We may grumble about having to pay taxes, but when you find yourself in that negative mindset, take a minute to contemplate how much more expensive and difficult life would be without them. Remember what we have as a nation because of our system of taxation: decent roads and the interstate highway system, quality schools for our children, countless numbers of people receiving assistance to get them over a rough spot in their lives, and every one of us the chance to reach our full potential.

Our system of taxation lies at the heart of our democracy as it guarantees more people will be able to pursue life, liberty and happiness. It provides each of us a way to help our fellow countrymen reach their potential and to help our country truly maintain its greatness.

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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 runs on donations.

Sunday: Catholic Mass on TV, 10 a.m.; coloring, 2 p.m.

Monday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; small group in activities room, 11 a.m.; dice club, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Start our flower seeds, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Movie in the dining room, 10 a.m.; sing along with Edberg. 2 p.m.

Thursday: Horse racing, 10 a.m.; bunny visit, 11 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; song-along, 11:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Word search, 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

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; Easter trivia, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; pass the prize, 2 p.m.

Monday: Memory books, 9:30; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; reminisce, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9 a.m.; book club, 9:30 a.m.; Amasa Senior Center, 9:30 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; wildlife film, 1 p.m.; volleyball, 2 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/”Animal Kingdom,” 9:30 a.m.; parachute 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; sing along with Gayle, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; happy hour, 2 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; “You Be the Judge”, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: ICMCF word search/high rollers, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; classic movie, 6:30 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Easter Devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; games or movie, 1 p.m.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Earth Day craft, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; baking club, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; craft or games, 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: Easter Sunday service with music to follow, 9:30 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; Easter prize bingo, 2 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

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

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; making dirt dessert, 10 a.m.; afternoon ride, 1 p.m.; stained glass, part 2, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; buzz words, 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.; Pictionary, 10 a.m.; board games, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: Uno, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Jim on the piano, 2 p.m.

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

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information was available.

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; bunco, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; church services, 1:30 p.m.; where in the world, 2:30 p.m.: coloring pages, daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; over the moon, 11 a.m.; manicure Monday, 1:45 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; western movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation, open room, 9:30 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; who-what-where/bingo, 1:45 p.m.; Earth Day, 4 p.m., daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation, open room, 9:30 a.m.; Pictionary, 11 a.m.; crafty Wednesday, 1:45 p.m.; kings ‘n’ corner, 4 p.m., daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; ramen, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:30 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation, open room, 9:30 a.m.; travelogue, 11 a.m.; outing to Faithorn, 11 a.m.; paint and sip, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation, exercise group, 10 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; Bible studies, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 3 p.m.; activity packets.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Chicken noodle soup with vegetables, biscuit with butter, Jell-O with fruit.

Wednesday: Lasagna, green beans, garlic bread.

Thursday: Apple pork chops, mashed potatoes, biscuit.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

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

Monday: Pasty pie, corn, applesauce.

Tuesday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied carrots, dinner roll, cookie.

Wednesday: Barbecue chicken, oven-roasted potatoes, green beans, fruit.

Thursday: Hearty pork stew, garlic and cheese biscuit, apple crisp.

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 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: Chicken ala king over egg noodles.

Tuesday: Taco casserole with tortilla chips.

Wednesday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes, gravy.

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

Monday: Sweet and sour chicken, fried rice, Oriental vegetables, fortune cookie.

Tuesday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, biscuit with butter.

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

Thursday: Fish with hollandaise sauce, roasted potatoes, Brussel sprouts, biscuit, 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: Sweet and sour chicken, fried rice, Oriental vegetables, fortune cookie.

Tuesday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, biscuit with butter.

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

Thursday: Fish with Hollandaise sauce, roasted potatoes, Brussel sprouts, biscuit, pudding cup.

Friday: Turkey and cheese wrap, baked potato chips, yogurt, Mandarin oranges.

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 3 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.; board games, 1 to 3 p.m.

Friday: Cards — Smear, noon to 4 p.m.; chess, noon.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

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

Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken chop suey, Lo mein, fortune cookie, applesauce.

Tuesday: Spaghetti with meatballs, broccoli, dinner roll, cookies.

Wednesday: Soft chicken tacos, corn salsa, beans, Jell-O with fruit.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Sweet and sour chicken, fried rice, Oriental vegetables, fortune cookie.

Tuesday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, biscuit with butter.

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

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Swiss steak, mashed potatoes, dark green salad, peas and carrots, fruit.

Tuesday: Chicken salad on a croissant with lettuce and tomato, pasta salad, fruit.

Wednesday: Waikiki meatballs, rice, Oriental vegetables, fruit, cookies.

Thursday: Chef’s salad — turkey, ham, egg, romaine, tomato, croutons, parmesan, Caesar dressing; whole wheat rolls, fruit.

Friday: Beer-battered fish, baked beans, broccoli salad, fruit.

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

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Florence Community Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Fence Town Hall

Serving at noon Wednesday only. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Tipler Town Hall

Serving at noon on second Thursday only. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

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: Barbecue pulled pork, whole wheat hamburger bun, baked potato, mixed vegetables, mixed fruit cup.

Tuesday: Beef pepper steak over rice, stir fry vegetables, corn, Mandarin oranges.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, applesauce, whole wheat bread.

Thursday: Fish sticks, root vegetable blend, green beans, fresh fruit, whole wheat bread.

Friday: Hobo dinner with hamburger, potatoes and carrots, fruit crisp, whole wheat bread, mixed fruit cup.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Salad bar opens at 11 a.m., with the meal served at 11:30 a.m. No night meals are available. Meals can be prepared for carryout.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Crack chicken penne, peas, dinner roll.

Tuesday: Philly cheese sandwich with ground beef, baked potato fries, corn.

Wednesday: Garlic parmesan fish, baked potato, green beans, applesauce, biscuit.

Thursday: Salsibury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots, pudding parfait.

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

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

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

Tuesday: Barbecue pulled pork, mashed potatoes, corn, wheat bread, pumpkin bars.

Wednesday: Chicken parmesan, fettuccine, broccoli, side salad, applesauce.

Thursday: Baked fish, German potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, rye bread.

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

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:15 a.m. Takeout meals are available for pick-up from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Those coming in should let staff know in advance if planning to dine in or pick up the meal.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Liver or burger and onions, mashed potatoes with gravy, peas and carrots, apricots, pie.

Tuesday: Barbecued pulled pork sandwiches, fries, coleslaw, baked beans, peaches, cookies.

Wednesday: Cheese ravioli, garlic bread, Brussel sprouts, pears, cake.

Thursday: Chicken bacon Alfredo, garlic bread, applesauce, donut holes.

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 are also available.

Tuesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans.

Wednesday: Cheese ravioli, California blend vegetables, garlic bread, Mandarin oranges.

Thursday: Celebrating April Birthdays — Pasties, corn, pears, birthday cake.

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

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Sweet and sour chicken, fried rice, Oriental vegetables, fortune cookie.

Tuesday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, biscuit with butter.

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