NIAGARA, Wis. — My husband and I have a fairly equal division of labor when it comes to household duties that evolved according to what needed to be done, whose abilities matched best with the task, and who was around when the job needed doing. For the most part, our philosophy has been that we both should know how to do everything in the event that one of us was incapacitated, the other would be able to take up the slack.

While I was finishing college, my husband changed his fair share of diapers and gave the nightly bath to our 3-year-old son, teaching him to say his “th” sound at the same time by repeating the sentence, “These are my teeth.” When we moved north and were living in the woods, we had to take our own garbage to the dump. My husband suggested I should learn how to do that as well — just in case it ever became necessary. I agreed and suggested he also learn to do the laundry. Needless to say, the “dump” topic was never brought up again.

Of course, these household duties flexed a bit with each stage of life. As we have aged, our physical ability now determines who does what around the house. In general, my husband tackles all outdoor jobs, the basement and the garage plus cleaning up dishes after the meals. I do the bill paying, laundry, meal planning, cooking, and grocery shopping. Consequently, when I came across an article online pertaining to the history of grocery shopping, I found it very interesting. So, today I share it with you.

— Depots: The earliest country stores, called depots back then, surfaced in the 17th centuries. They were constructed from logs and mud. Back then, people “lived off the land” growing their own vegetables, hunting their own game and fowl, and catching fish. Some food staples were available at these depots, including sugar, flour and molasses. Additionally, other common necessities were for sale including hardware, soap, dishes, pots, saddles, harnesses, shoes and medicine. By the early 19th century, these stores were largely replaced by newer frame buildings, which contained cellars that were large enough to house casks of whale oil and also cool enough to store eggs, butter and cheese.

–General stores: By the middle of the 19th century, the general store was a common sight across the many small towns of our expanding United States. Similar to the country store depots, general stores stocked goods that both satisfied hunger and met the many other needs of customers. Food items expanded to include coffee beans, spices, honey, oatmeal and dried beans, many of which were kept in barrels and required measuring the desired amount on scales that were quite often inaccurate. These stores also offered nonfood items, including cloth, buttons, underwear, hats, lamps, rifles and ammunition.

General stores were packed with goods piled high on shelves and tables amid boxes and barrels stuffed into available spaces. A front counter displayed smaller items as well as such contraptions as a coffee grinder, scales and the cash register. As general stores typically doubled as community centers, they were usually fitted with a stove to warm inhabitants during cold-weather months and often featured chairs for those who planned to stay and chat. Consequently, they were not the most sanitary of places; since streets were not paved, mud and dust were tracked in regularly.

–Grocery stores: By the late 19th century, the term “grocery” — that had referred to a tavern or a saloon — now signified the emporiums that were traditionally located in more densely populated urban centers. These grocery stores typically carried around 200 products, and occupied 500 to 600 square feet of floor space. As with general stores, these shops featured items piled high on shelves — with clerks reaching for everything presented to them on a list — and they continued to measure out both liquid and solid goods from barrels. 

They provided limited choices by stocking only one type of each product and sold dry goods only. Consequently, customers typically needed to make separate trips to a butcher, bakery, and produce peddler to meet all of their dining needs. Limited credit was also offered customers along with delivery services. 

— Chain stores: The rise of chain stores began in 1912 when the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, owners of the A&P grocery chain, opened the first of its “economy stores.” While the A & P eliminated the credit lines and free delivery offered by the smaller independent retailers, they became known for offering popular brands such as Eight O’Clock Coffee. 

The Tennessee-based Piggly Wiggly chain introduced additional innovations to the model with the opening of its first store in 1916. The biggest change was the introduction of “self-service.” While goods still lined the lone aisle that snaked through the store, they were now within reach of customers who picked out the price-marked items themselves instead of delegating the responsibility to a clerk. The customers then placed the item in a wooden basket — also a new feature — before bringing everything to a checkout counter.

These streamlined retail processes resulted in lower costs for customers, and in turn produced an explosion in sales for the new stores. The number of grocery chain stores increased from 24,000 in 1914 to around 200,000 by 1930. The largest A&P chain stores accounted for 16,000 of those outlets.

— Supermarkets: The first true supermarket arrived with the opening of New York City’s King Kullen in 1930. Matt Cullen, a former employee of the Kroger chain stores, decided to launch his new enterprise in a slightly more remote section of Queens. The location allowed for cheaper real estate, which meant that Cullen could open a larger store and provide space for the new automobiles that were transforming American lives. The first King Kullen covered 6,000 square feet and offered 10 times the amount of food products as most existing markets, much of which was sold out of packing crates. It was soon surpassed by New Jersey’s Big Bear, which featured a 15,000-square-foot grocery surrounded by areas leased to vendors selling tobacco, cosmetics, and auto parts. 

Although other features of the contemporary shopping experience had yet to be invented — shopping carts arrived in the late 1930s, the barcode system in the 1970s — the blueprint for the modern grocery store was now in place, with supermarkets eventually expanding to stock 50,000 items, and colossal chains swelling to a footprint of more than 200,000 square feet.

As we all do our grocery shopping today, few of us actually contemplate what the “shopping experience” was centuries earlier. I may have a little more appreciation for it since my grandparents were German farmers. They grew all of their own food, butchered their own chickens and cattle, and hunted a variety of fowl. We all loved my grandmother’s mud hen. With chickens came fresh eggs. My grandmother canned everything; there were root cellars below both porches on their farmhouse — and huge crocks of flour in the pantry because she baked her own bread three times a week.

Now that you know “the rest of the story,” you can appreciate how lucky we are to have the convenience and variety available to us through today’s supermarkets. As much as I enjoy them, I do like to visit the specialty stores on Iron Mountain’s north side from time to time. Nothing beats authentic Italian pasta, bread and sausage. Up here, we have the best of both worlds.

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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.; Strong Tower Church, 2 p.m.

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

Tuesday: Movie in dining room, 10 a.m.; coloring, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: You Tube music in dining room, 10 a.m.; Andy coming — singing in dining room, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Coloring in room, 10 a.m.; our favorite dog, George, 2 p.m.

Friday: TV in dining room, 10 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Word search, 1 p.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.; trivia, 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 a.m.; resident council, 10:30 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 a.m.; book club, 9:30 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; mystery ride, 1 p.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; western movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/”Animal Kingdom,” 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; Christ United, 2 p.m.; garden club, 2:30 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 p.m.

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

Friday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; Father’s Day ice cream social in the pavilion, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: “Price Is Right”/spelling bball, 9:30 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

No information was available.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

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

Sunday: Coffee and spelling bee, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; Soundz of Time with Jan and Gino, 2 p.m.; game night, 5:15 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; catch a phrase, 10 a.m.; picnic at the river, 11 a.m.; courtyard campfire, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; hangman, 10 a.m.; ice cream outing, 1 p.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; lemonade social, 5:15 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; baking — peanut butter blossoms, 10 a.m.; creative art, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: Breakfast club, 7 a.m.; hedbanz, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Jim on the piano, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Uno, 10 a.m.; courtyard cabana — popsicles, 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; spa day, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:30 a.m.; church services, 1:30 p.m.; root beer floats, 2:30 p.m.: coloring pages, daily chronicle.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; cranium crunch, 11 a.m.; manicure Monday, 1:45 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; movie — “Grumpy Old Men,” 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, 2 p.m.; Uno, 4 p.m., daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; resident council and food talk with Lacy; 10:45 a.m.; what’s in the bag? 11 a.m.; crafty Wednesday, 1:45 a.m.; kings ‘n’ corner, 4 p.m., daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo/trivia, 10:30 a.m.; lunch outing to La Cantina; bunco, 2 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation, Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; pondering prompts, 11 a.m.; music with Jerry Beauchamp, 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.; daily chronicles; activity packet.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Pancakes, sausage, hashbrowns, applesauce.

Wednesday: Beef stroganoff over noodles, mixed vegetables, biscuit, fruit crumble.

Thursday: Shredded barbecue chicken on a bun, sweet potato with butter, green beans, Jell-O with Cool Whip.

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: Chicken club sandwich, baked french fries, fruit salad.

Tuesday: Brats, potato salad, corn-on-the-cob, Jell-O with fruit.

Wednesday: Wet burrito, refried beans with cheese, Mexican rice, rice pudding.

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied carrots.

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: Ground beef goulash, dinner roll.

Tuesday: Cheesy cod, boiled parsley potatoes, coleslaw.

Wednesday: Beef tips over egg noodles.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy.

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

Monday: Spaghetti with meatballs, Italian-style vegetables, garlic bread.

Tuesday: Crack chicken penne, peas, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Liver and onions or substitute, roasted garlic potatoes, carrots, garlic and cheese biscuit, pudding.

Thursday: Chicken tenders, sweet potato fries, corn, fruited Jell-O.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 230 or 235

This is a Meals on Wheels, home-delivered program only — call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Spaghetti with meatballs, Italian-style vegetables, garlic bread.

Tuesday: Crack chicken penne, peas, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Liver and onions or substitute, roasted garlic potatoes, carrots, garlic and cheese biscuit, pudding.

Thursday: Chicken tenders, sweet potato fries, corn, fruited Jell-O.

Friday: Ham and cheese wrap, baked potato chips, yogurt, string cheese.

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: Egg salad sandwich, beef barley soup.

Tuesday: Chicken Parmesan, spaghetti and marinara sauce.

Wednesday: Sloppy Joe, macaroni and cheese.

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

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Spanish rice, broccoli, side salad, fruit.

Tuesday: Cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato, oven fries, corn salad, fruit.

Wednesday: Father’s Day meal — Barbecue country ribs, German potato salad, confetti bean salad, raspberry bars.

Thursday: Meatloaf, sweet potato casserole, broccoli, fruit, strawberry rhubarb pie.

Friday: Taco salad (lettuce, tomato, onion, black beans, sour cream), cornbread, 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: Meatballs in gravy over mashed potatoes, green beans, sliced apples, whole wheat bread.

Tuesday: Turkey tetrazzini, Italian vegetables, Brussel sprouts, tropical fruit.

Wednesday: Boneless barbecue ribs, garlic mashed potatoes, Capri vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll, peach cobbler.

Thursday: Grilled chicken with Swiss cheese, whole wheat hamburger bun, diced carrots, oven potatoes, pineapple tidbits.

Friday: Macaroni and cheese with ham, green peas, baked potato, warm applesauce

2% milk served at every meal.

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: Soft chicken tacos, Spanish rice, refried beans.

Tuesday: Liver and onions (or substitute), roasted garlic potatoes, carrots, garlic and cheese biscuit, pudding.

Wednesday: Sloppy Joe with a bun, baked macaroni and cheese, tater tots.

Thursday: Au gratin potatoes and ham, wax beans, dinner roll, blueberry cobbler.

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..

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: Early serve at 11 a.m. — French toast bake, sausage, diced potatoes, whole banana.

Wednesday: Father’s Day dinner — Beef tips with gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots, wheat bread, apple crisp.

Thursday: Chili dog on a bun, french fries, coleslaw, pears.

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 attending are asked to let staff know in advance if planning to dine in or pick up the meal.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Tacos with refried beans and Spanish rice, pineapple, apple bars.

Tuesday: Chicken patty on a bun, tater tots, wax beans, tropical blend, donut holes.

Wednesday: Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, cauliflower, apricots, cookies.

Thursday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, Brussel sprouts, fruit cocktail, cake.

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.

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: Pepperoni pizza, roast squash, fruit salad.

Wednesday: Shepherd’s pie, broccoli, biscuit.

Thursday: Pineapple pork fried rice, stir fry vegetables, egg roll.

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

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Spaghetti with meatballs, Italian-style vegetables, garlic bread.

Tuesday: Crack chicken penne, peas, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Liver and onions or substitute, roasted garlic potatoes, carrots, garlic and cheese biscuit, pudding.

Wednesday: Beef stroganoff, egg noodles, broccoli, carrot raisin salad, warm applesauce.

Thursday: Ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, wheat dinner roll, rhubarb dessert.