NIAGARA, Wis. — When someone says they’re an astronaut, a brain surgeon, or a fighter pilot, it’s hard not to be impressed. These jobs all have a “wow factor”– a certain mystique — that makes them instantly notable. And there are jobs with which most of us are familiar because we grew up around them. I grew up surrounded by farming and food packaging — Green Giant and Rippin’ Good Cookies were in my hometown. My husband grew up around manufacturing — primarily paper mills along the Fox River. And there were those jobs with which we became familiar when we moved up north — logging and mining. I have to admit I was a bit fearful of those huge logging trucks when I first encountered them, and the mining trucks in Marquette were scarier yet.

Then, at a stranger end of the employment spectrum, are those jobs that make us pause simply because they sound so odd; jobs in this category are so unusual that it’s hard to believe they exist at all. The following seven occupations represent some of the most bizarre, yet legitimate, ways to earn a living. You will never run into them in Iron Mountain, but be assured they do exist.

Professional mourner

The job of paid mourner is an ancient one. The profession is believed to have begun in China and the Middle East and was known to exist in Egypt, Greece and Rome. It’s also mentioned on more than one occasion in the Bible. And this peculiar profession had not died out. In China, professional mourners are celebrated for their kusang — which means crying and shouting — for which they can earn significant fees. And in Taiwan, career mourners such as Liu Jun-Lin have become famous for ostentatious emotional outpouring at funerals, where they sing, cry, and wail in equal measure.

The profession is not limited to Asia. In Greece, professional mourners, known as moirologists, are paid to stand at gravesides, wailing and pulling their hair. Such services are also found in the United Kingdom where companies such as Rent-A-Mourner (believe it or not) offer professional grievers for about $68 for two hours of crying.

Snake milker

Professional snake milkers are paid to extract venom from poisonous snakes for use in medical research, antivenom production, and pharmaceutical development. But how, you may ask, do you milk a snake? Be assured, it’s not something you should try at home. Highly trained snake milkers draw out the toxic secretion by carefully grasping the snake behind its head, then encouraging it to bite down onto a collection vessel to release its venom. Then they collect the venom as it drips from the serpents’ fangs.

The liquid can then be processed into a freeze-dried powder which is sold to research laboratories that develop antivenom to save people who are bitten by poisonous snakes.

Professional line stander

People tend to hate standing in line, especially when the back-up is likely to last for hours. Some entrepreneurial individuals, being the creative types they are, have realized that they can make a living standing in line for other people. Whether it’s for a popular restaurant, concert tickets, or the release of the latest iPhone, professional line standers (also known as line sitters) are willing to wait — for a fee.

In the United States, the trend started mainly on Craigslist and TaskRabbit, where individuals began offering their line-standing services. It grew from there, and now full-fledged line-standing companies have sprung up. One such company named “Sam Ole Line Dudes” promotes itself as “New York’s premier team of professional line sitters” and charges a $50 minimum for two hours of waiting.

Golf ball diver

Water hazards at golf courses have created a unique occupational niche: professional golf ball diver. These underwater collectors agree to terms with golf course managers, with the course charging the diver a fee to plunder the ponds, lakes, and water traps scattered around the green. The divers then clean, refurbish, repackage, and resell the balls.

In the United States, at least 200 million golf balls are lost each year, many of which end up in the water, so hardworking golf ball divers can earn a tidy sum. On average, golf ball divers are reported to make between $50,000 and $100,000 a year. In 2015, one golf ball diver, Glenn Berger, claimed to have earned $15 million over 14 years of retrieving lost balls from golf courses all around Florida.

Watching paint dry

We’ve all heard the expression “like watching paint dry” to describe something particularly boring or tedious. But for some people, watching paint dry is a fundamental part of their daily work place activities — seriously! One such person is English research scientist Thomas Curwen, who works for the international paint company Dulux. His full-time job involves observing the changing colors and particles of paint as it dries, both on walls as well as under a microscope, at times magnified by as much as 25,000, revealing a whole new — and far more thought provoking — side to drying paint.

Then there’s research and design technician Matthew Risbridger, who spends his workday watching paint dry at Aqua Tee Coatings in Wrexham, Wales. He looks for cracks, bubbles, or any other defects to ensure ideal outcomes for the paint, which is also subjected to infrared heaters, wind tunnels and ovens to see how it reacts under different conditions.

Professional sleeper

Being paid to sleep sounds like a dream job — both literally and figuratively. Professional sleepers do just that, supporting a range of research areas. Clients may include hotels, bed and mattress manufacturers, sleep research facilities, and pharmaceutical companies. NASA and the European Space Agency have also advertised for professional sleepers, offering $19,000 to anyone willing to stay in bed for at least two months, to research how the body changes in weightlessness. Everything is not as pleasant as it sounds, however; those participants had to endure muscle atrophy and other physical challenges.

Pet food taster

The global pet food market is big business, having been valued at $130.8 billion in 2024. Consequently, getting ahead takes dedication and expertise. Enter professional pet food tasters, quality control specialists who evaluate pet food using their own senses — they smell it, taste it and rate it. It may sound disgusting, but these tasters do not devour the entire can. They sample it without actually swallowing, which is just enough to determine its consistency, smell, and flavor. Pet food tasting positions range from largely unskilled part-time roles (basic tasting) to professionally trained positions that involve thorough nutritional analysis.

I now know that my temporary jobs as a packer of frozen dinner rolls and quality control tester of canned beans — both performed on the third shift of different factories — pale in comparison to any of the jobs described above. And, I am sure that no matter how frustrating or boring any of your jobs have been, you would not have traded it for any of those listed above. We can all thank the Lord for small favors!

Source: Website “Interesting Facts,” written by Tony Dunnell.

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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.; relax-coloring, 2 p.m.

Monday: Chair fun, 10 a.m.; trivia, 10:30 a.m.; ball toss, 11 a.m.; dice club, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Nail spa/room visits, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Movie in dining room, 10 a.m.; crafts in dining room, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee talk, 10 a.m.; room crafts, 11 a.m.; music in the halls, 1 p.m.; bunny visits, 2 p.m.

Friday: Jenga, 10 a.m.; joke time, 11 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.; reminisce, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.

Monday: Memory books, 9:30; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; travel film, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9 a.m.; book club, 9:30 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/”Animal Kingdom,” 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; monthly birthday party with music and cake, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 p.m.

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

Friday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; Gramma Groomers, 1 p.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; wii fun, 2 p.m.; web browsing, 2:30 p.m.; western movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Puzzle pack/how do you feel? 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 11 a.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; romance movie, 6 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

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

Monday: Leisure cart, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; national Memorial Day parade in Washington D.C., watching in the dining room, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; crochet club, 1 to 2 p.m.; May birthday party, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee in the cafe, 9:30 a.m.; 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.; crochet club,

1 to 2 p.m.; crafting, 2 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: Coffee social and trivia, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 1:30 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; courtyard cabana, root beer floats, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 a.m.; short stories, 10:30 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

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

Thursday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; hangman, 10 a.m.; movement in the courtyard, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: What am I? 10 a.m.; happy hour with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Board games, 10 a.m.; courtyard social, 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.; “Name That Tune,” 2:30 p.m.: coloring pages, daily chronicle.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; “You be the Judge,” 11 a.m.; manicure Monday, 1:45 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; comedy 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, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; Yahtzee, 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 a.m.; rummy, 4 p.m., daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; “Jeopardy,” 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation, Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; picture this, 11 a.m.; lunch outing, Sidetrack, 11 a.m.; “Wheel of Fortune,” 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.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 3 p.m.; daily chronicles; activity packets.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Tater tot casserole, corn, biscuit, Jell-O with fruit.

Wednesday: Turkey and cheese wrap, baked potato chips, string cheese, pudding cup.

Thursday: Pasty pie, Brussel sprouts, applesauce.

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: Deluxe cheeseburger, seasoned potato wedges, baked beans, Jell-O with fruit.

Tuesday: Chicken and spaghetti, green beans, garlic bread.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, strawberry shortcake.

Thursday: Oven-fried fish and chips, baked beans, cauliflower.

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: Closed – Memorial Day.

Tuesday: One hard and one soft shell taco, Mexican rice and pinto beans.

Wednesday: Pizza burgers with tater tots.

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

Monday: Biscuit and sausage gravy, oven-roasted potatoes, applesauce — Meal delivered on Tuesday.

Tuesday: Deluxe hamburger, potato wedges, baked beans.

Wednesday: Garlic parmesan fish, baked potato, cauliflower, apple crisp.

Thursday: Chicken fettuccine Alfredo, broccoli, dinner roll, 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: Biscuit and sausage gravy, oven-roasted potatoes, applesauce — Meal delivered Tuesday.

Tuesday: Deluxe hamburger, potato wedges, baked beans.

Wednesday: Garlic parmesan fish, baked potato, cauliflower, apple crisp.

Thursday: Chicken fettuccine Alfredo, broccoli, dinner roll, pudding cup.

Friday: Chicken vegetable soup with noodles, crackers, bread with butter, Jell-O with fruit.

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

Salad bar opens at 11 a.m., with the meal at 11:30 a.m. and dessert to follow. Evening meal is served every third Wednesday of the month, with sponsored activities. Takeout meals are available for pick up.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Closed for Memorial Day.

Tuesday: Tuna salad sandwiches, cream of broccoli and potato soup.

Wednesday: Pork roast, fried cabbage, sweet potato fries.

Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Closed – Memorial Day.

Tuesday: Cabbage roll casserole, parsley potatoes, cucumbers in sour cream, fruit.

Wednesday: Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, roasted squash, apple pie.

Thursday: Mushroom Swiss burger, baked beans, sweet potato puffs, fruit, cookies.

Friday: Tuna pasta salad, toasted cheese sandwich, broccoli, 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: Closed — Memorial Day.

Tuesday: Dinner frankfurter, hot dog bun, boiled red potatoes, corn, tropical fruit, orange sherbet cup.

Wednesday: Congregate birthday — Roast turkey and gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, diced carrots, dinner roll, mixed fruit dump cake.

Thursday: Pasty, sweet potato cubes, green beans, fruit cocktail.

Friday: California medley soup, chicken salad spread with lettuce, sandwich bread, creamy cucumber salad, mixed fruit.

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: Closed for Memorial Day. Tater tot casserole, carrots, biscuit, Jell-O with fruit (dinner delivered Tuesday).

Tuesday: Barbecue chicken legs, baked beans, broccoli, dinner roll, strawberry shortcake.

Wednesday: Hot beef sandwich, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, pudding.

Thursday: Ham dinner, au gratin potatoes, green beans, dinner roll, homemade cookies.

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: Hamburger on a bun with lettuce and tomato, cheesy hashbrowns, broccoli salad, chocolate pudding cake.

Wednesday: Pork chop, wild rice, mixed vegetables, raw baby carrots, cherry dessert.

Thursday: Baked fish, baby red potatoes, cole slaw, rye bread, applesauce.

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. Let staff know in advance if planning to dine in or pick up the meal.

Menu for the week —

Monday: French dip sandwich with au jus, fries, mixed vegetables, tropical fruit blend, chocolate bars.

Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo with mixed vegetables, dinner roll, apricots, pie.

Wednesday: Chicken cranberry wrap, cole slaw, peaches, Jell-O.

Thursday: Ham and scalloped potatoes, dinner roll, Brussel sprouts, pineapple, pistachio 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, 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.

Tuesday: Wet burritos, refried beans with cheese, Mexican rice, Jell-O with fruit.

Wednesday: Pasty pie, corn, applesauce.

Thursday: Ham with scalloped potatoes, peas, dinner roll, fruit crumble.

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

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Biscuit and sausage gravy, oven roasted potatoes, applesauce — meal delivered on Tuesday.

Tuesday: Deluxe hamburger, potato wedges, baked beans.

Wednesday: Garlic parmesan fish, baked potato, cauliflower, apple crisp.