Suzanne Killian

NIAGARA, Wis. — My husband and I have wanted to drive the Lake Superior Circle Tour for as many years as I can remember. We decided that we were going to fulfill that wish this year, before we got any older. Well, it was an interesting trip for sure and was really a mixed bag of beautiful sights combined with complete frustration. We believed we were prepared as we set out on Sunday, Aug. 17, and expected clear sailing throughout our journey. So, we were very surprised to learn that advance preparation — no matter how thorough — cannot protect you from your own shortcomings.

First, we divided the preparation tasks between us. I took care of making all of the motel and campsite reservations. I also made a list of everything we would need to take along that was packable in our suitcases. My husband took care of organizing all of the gear we would need for camping. He set up the tent in the backyard and hosed it down to be sure our waterproofing done years ago was still effective. It was. He gathered the two gear boxes, our portable Weber grill and its gas tank, plus our air mattress and sleeping bags. We even inflated the air mattress in our living room and spent a night on it to be sure we were still comfortable as our bodies had aged since we had last used it. We both got a good night’s sleep so we knew we would be fine camping.

Next, we got our life ready to leave it for two weeks. The house had recently been thoroughly cleaned, and I had finished all of the laundry. We’d had a couple meals of leftovers, and I had cleaned out the refrigerator so nothing would spoil while we were gone. I had notified our credit union and credit card holders regarding our travel into Canada so they would not think it suspicious when they saw charges come through. We certainly did not need any hassle with finances while we were traveling. My husband mowed the lawn one last time, and stopped our mail delivery at the post office here in Niagara.

We took care of our schedules and obligations. I had made a list of tasks that I had to finish before we left home, and my husband had done the same for himself. I cleaned up all of the loose ends in my email inbox so no one needed anything from me while I was gone. This meant writing three of these columns in advance and gathering as much information for the senior center activities as possible and the menus from the meal sites. My husband finished up his project for Kiwanis; he had to get all of the information for the upcoming coupon book so had plenty of phone calls to make in order to get it to the printer as soon as we returned from our trip.

On Sunday, Aug. 17, we finished packing and loading the car and took off only about a half hour later than we had planned. Off to a good start, we were excited to begin our long-awaited bucket list journey! We had decided that we would spend little to no time along the southern shore of the big lake since we can see that anytime we choose. So, we headed straight to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and crossed the border without any difficulty. Our first order of business was to find our first motel where I had booked four nights. We expected to get lost in the Sault, so we stopped at a motel I had not booked and got directions to the one I had. It was way on the opposite end of town from the things we wanted to be sure to see. Over the course of the next several days, we became very familiar with that route. We finally found it, checked in and unpacked. Then we decided on a restaurant that was just down a few blocks from our motel — and on the same street. We had a lovely dinner preceded by cocktails and finished with dessert.

The next day was the day we had anticipated the most — the day of our Algoma Canyon train ride. This trip would take 10 hours and take us through beautiful country we could see no other way. We got directions from the breakfast lady at the motel and left in plenty of time to catch our train. No matter what we tried we could not find that darn train depot! We stopped at a gas station and asked the clerk and stopped people on the street to no avail. We were just going in circles. By the time we found it, the train had left the station so we got a refund and vowed to return “someday” to take that trip. Throughout the next several days, we saw other sites in between getting lost every time we left the motel. We had a lovely morning walk along the St. Mary’s River and a ride through the Soo Locks over to the Sault on the Michigan side of the waterway. We visited the Bush Plane Museum and learned about fighting forest fires from the air; lots of very dedicated pilots are involved in this endeavor. We had an incredible experience dining at a Nepalese restaurant. Because of our lovely waitress, not only did we have a delicious meal, but we learned a lot about life in Nepal as well. We spent an afternoon at a shopping mall where I bought myself a hooded sweatshirt with a Canadian duck on it — very cute.

After getting lost for the next few days, we left the Sault in the rearview mirror and drove along the most picturesque part of the trip — the stretch of highway from the Sault to Wawa. They call it “Ontario’s Big Sur” for very good reason, for around every bend in the road was yet another photo op. We had another great experience in Wawa as we planned a couple of days in that little town with a big goose on the top of several buildings. We had a very nice motel room and great meals. We did not get lost in this small town so it was a much less stressful experience. We found a park from which we watched as two water planes landed and took off again after replenishing their fuel and supplies.

Next was our planned stay at a campground in Marathon. It was the one and only day we got rain our entire trip! I tried to convince my husband that we could get a motel instead, but his stubborn Dutch and German genes were in command so I knew I did not stand a chance of changing the original plan. We pitched our tent in between raindrops, got a bite to eat at a local bar, and spent the night playing various forms of solitaire on his tablet until it was time to catch some shuteye. We did see two black bears before breaking camp.

We made our way to our next base of operations — Thunder Bay. This city was spread out and pretty underwhelming. And by this time, we were happy to spend a little more time at our motel. We watched movies on the tablet, as Canadian television left a lot to be desired, and we ordered a very good pizza to our room. We enjoyed the swimming pool. We did have a lovely dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant one evening.

As we left for Duluth, we just assumed we followed Highway 17 and were very pleased with ourselves for not getting lost on our way out of the city. Well … we drove for an hour, but we knew the border crossing back into the States was supposed to have been only 42 miles away! So, we backtracked and found Highway 64, which took us to the border crossing. We stopped at tourist information just before crossing over and found out where to exchange what was left of our Canadian money back to American currency. I was also concerned that we may be asked for some other form of identification in addition to our passports, so I asked about that. Staff assured us that our passport was all that was needed, and added, “They have to let you back in … it’s your country!” To which I replied, “Well, things have gotten a little weird lately.” They laughed and replied, “So we’ve heard.”

Upon entering the U.S., we rejoiced when we saw a speed limit sign that read 60, and we knew it was miles per hour … not kilometers. We were home!

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NURSING HOMES / SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

We welcome anyone who would like to entertain our residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities. On the third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. we host a Memory Café – 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 in dining room on You Tube, 10 a.m.; relax — coloring, 2 p.m.

Monday: Book reading with Crystal in the west lounge, 10 a.m.; chair workout, 10 a.m.; trivia, 10:30 a.m.; card club, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; nails, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Mission Covenant Church, 10 a.m.; music with Andy, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Book reading with Crystal in the west lounge, 10 a.m.; bunny/dog visit, 2 p.m.

Friday: Whiteboard fun, 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

No information was available.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; hangman, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 9-11 a.m.; afternoon matinee with popcorn, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; after dinner reminiscing, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; Ants on a Log Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; National Teddy Bear Day craft, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9 a.m.; Hope Church, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; music by Bob Larson, 1:30 p.m.; desserts and conversations, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; Patriot Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; World Dolphin Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; party for September birthdays, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; craft/games, 1:30 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families are allowed to attend activities and encouraged to participate.

Sunday: Spelling bee, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.; Packers vs. Lions football game, 3:25 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; resident council, 1 p.m.; bocce ball, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; “You be the Judge,” 10 a.m.; music with Bob Larson, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; baking bread, 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.; hedbanz, 10 a.m.; derby day, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3:00; Packers vs. Commanders football game, 7:15 p.m.

Friday: Breakfast Club, 7 a.m.; matching lyrics, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Jim on the piano, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; prize 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.; Sunday Funday, 2:30 p.m.; daily chronicle.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; “You be the Judge,” 11 a.m.; bowling, 2 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.; juice hour / who-what-where, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; bologna, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

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

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo / trivia, 10:30 a.m.; science, 2 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles; trip to Family Dollar.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a. m.; karaoke with Alley, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; noodle ball, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 11 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: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans.

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Now open for dine-in eating Monday through Thursday, serving at noon. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Baked pork chops, mashed sweet potatoes, peas and carrots, applesauce;

Tuesday: Oven-fried fish and chips, tartar sauce, green beans, pudding;

Wednesday: Pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, dinner roll;

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

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook: Elizabeth Peryam

Assistant Cooks: Debbie Bigalke and Shannon Stapleton

906-875-6709

The center is now open on Mondays and is serving meals for dine-in or takeout — call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or to 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 phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week –

Monday: Baked chicken, baked potato with toppings;

Tuesday: Cheesy cod, parsley boiled potatoes;

Wednesday: Pulled pork sandwiches, cheesy potatoes, homemade cole slaw.

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: Apple pork chops, mashed potatoes, peas, biscuit;

Tuesday: Italian sausage bake, cauliflower, garlic bread;

Wednesday: Fish with hollandaise sauce, parsley noodles, wax beans;

Thursday: Stuffed pepper soup, biscuit, pudding;

Friday: Deluxe hamburger, potato wedges, baked beans;

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 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

Head cook: Joan Wickman, 906-246-3559

Program president: Lisa Casey, 906-282-7899.

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. Delivery offered to homebound residents within Felch, West Branch and Breen townships.

Monday — Breakfast bake with biscuits and yogurt;

Tuesday — Chicken caesar wrap with chips;

Wednesday — Homemade sausage or pepperoni pizza with salad.

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

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Boiled dinner (ham, carrots, cabbage, rutabagas, potatoes), breadsticks, fruit

Tuesday: Chicken po’ boy (chicken strips, lettuce, tomato, dill pickle chips, Caesar dressing), black beans and corn, salad, fruit

Wednesday: Smothered pork chop, baked sweet potato, green beans, fruit, pumpkin bars

Thursday: Porcupine meatballs, mashed potatoes, broccoli, fruit, apple crisp with whipped topping

Friday: Chef’s salad (mixed greens, ham, turkey, cheese, egg, tomato, croutons), whole wheat roll, ambrosia salad

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

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. RSVP by calling 715-589-4491.

Florence Community Center

Serving Monday through Thursday at 11:30 a.m. RSVP by calling 715-528-4261.

Fence Town Hall

Serving at Noon on Wednesday only. RSVP by calling 715-589-4491.

Tipler Town Hall

Serving at Noon on second Thursday only. RSVP by calling 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: Pizza pasta casserole, chef’s choice vegetable, peas, whole wheat bread, pineapple tidbits;

Tuesday: Turkey pot pie, sweet potato puffs, Mandarin oranges, whole wheat bread;

Wednesday: Swedish meatballs, egg noodles, diced carrots, California blend vegetables, whole wheat bread, apple slices;

Thursday: Beef dinner frankfurter, whole wheat hot dog bun, oven potatoes, corn, fresh fruit;

Friday: Herb baked fish, five-way mixed vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes, whole wheat bread,

tropical fruit.

Milk available at all meals.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Open for dine-in eating, serving at 11 a.m. Salad bar is available. No night meals. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Apple pork chops, mashed potatoes, peas, biscuit;

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

Wednesday: Pork roast, roasted red potatoes, carrots, cookies;

Thursday: Crack chicken penne, broccoli, dinner roll, cookies;

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

Niagara Senior Center/Café

715-251-1603

The center is open, and 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 those age 60 or younger. Transportation is available.

Tuesday: Swedish meatballs, noodles, carrots, side salad, fruit cocktail;

Wednesday: Swiss steak, squash, corn, wheat bread, peach cobbler;

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

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Open for dine-in eating beginning at 11:30 a.m. Salad bar available from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Takeout meals will remain available for pick-up from 11:15 to 11:30 a.m. Those attending should let staff know in advance if planning to dine in or picking up the meal. Menu for the week —

Monday: Sloppy Joes, fries, carrots, tropical fruit;

Tuesday: Ham and scalloped potatoes, biscuit, broccoli;

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, peas, pears;

Thursday: Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes and gravy, peas, applesauce.

Birthdays and bingo on 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: Italian turkey sandwich, cheesy potatoes;

Wednesday: Chili, cornbread;

Thursday: Meat loaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable/

A fall color tour bus ride will be offered Oct. 13. Call 906-221-1332 or see Nancy or Monica if interested in taking the tour.