NIAGARA, Wis. — Mid-term elections were held this past week. While not as widespread as the general election that occurs every four years, they are nonetheless significant since their results can swing the balance of power in congress. Since we have heard about this situation ad infinitum on the nightly news, I am not going to go into it in this column.

No, I am taking a more lighthearted approach by introducing you to a completely different group of candidates who were quite successful in their campaigns. This group of politicians tend to be furry.

Now, read on to learn a little more about each unusual election, in this article written by Bennett Kleinman for “Animals & Nature,” https://interestingfacts.com/animals-political-office/.

— Stubbs the cat (Mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska): Stubbs the cat unofficially governed the small town of Talkeetna, Alaska, for more than 18 years. Stubbs, a ginger-haired feline, first came to power in 1998. Technically the town had no real mayor, so no election could fill a non-existent position. But the locals widely approved of his leadership, with one resident saying, “He hasn’t voted for anything I wouldn’t have voted for.” Stubbs’ “office” was located at the local general store, which was operated by his owners. In 2014, Stubbs was apparently drafted to run for national office during the Alaska Senate race, though that campaign fell short. Nonetheless, Stubbs continued his mayoral duties back home, which mainly included wandering around town and napping. He died peacefully in 2017 at the ripe old age of 20.

— Clay Henry the Goat (Mayor of Lajitas, Texas): Clay Henry was elected mayor of the small town of Lajitas in 1986. He became immensely popular, although less for his political beliefs and more for his beer-drinking abilities, since tourists would come from far and wide to visit Clay Henry’s pen, making sure he never ran out of his favorite beverage. Though Clay Henry Sr. tragically passed away in 1992, he was stuffed and put on display so visitors could pay homage to this once-great mayor. This was just the beginning of a regular political dynasty, however, as his son Clay Henry Jr. assumed the mayorship shortly after, followed by Clay Henry III. Lajitas is now led by current mayor Clay Henry IV, whose beer-drinking abilities are as renowned as his great-grandfather’s.

— Max the Dog (Mayor of Idyllwild, Calif.): On July 1, 2012, a golden retriever named Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller (or Max I) was inaugurated into office as mayor of Idyllwild, California, after winning two-thirds of the vote in an election sponsored by the Idyllwild Animal Rescue Friends organization. In the days that followed, Max could often be seen about town wearing a plaid necktie and gold medal. At Mayor Max’s side were deputy mayors Mikey and Mitzi — also both dogs. As a group, they were collectively known as “the mayor and the spares.” Though Max I passed away in 2013, Mayor Max II assumed the role after the demise of his predecessor. The current mayor can be found on weekends traveling around town in the back of his official pickup truck and meeting with his constituents.

— Boston Curtis the Mule (Committeeman in Milton, Wash.): Electing animals to office isn’t just an unusual modern-day occurrence. In 1938, Democratic Mayor Kenneth Simmons nominated a “Mr. Boston Curtis” for Republican precinct committeeman in the town of Milton, Washington. With no opponents and also no additional information provided to the voters, Curtis was elected with 51 votes. It was then, and only then, that he was revealed to be a mule. The mayor, a Democrat, had sponsored Boston’s candidacy as a prank, which apparently had a message as he went on to say that voters “have no idea whom they support.”

— Bosco the Dog (Mayor of Sunol, California): A black Lab and rottweiler mix named Bosco Ramos defeated two humans to become mayor of Sunol in 1981, holding the office until his death in 1994. Bosco was America’s first dog mayor, and became a symbol of democracy and freedom. In 1989, he participated in a 30-hour pro-democracy rally outside the Chinese consulate in San Francisco. Though Bosco ran as a “Re-pup-lican,” he was a nonpartisan force and brought the town’s residents together, often to rub his belly. He has since been immortalized in a life-sized statue that was unveiled in 2008.

— Jinx the Cat (Mayor of Hell, Mich.): Jinx, a big-eyed black cat with a massive social media following on TikTok, became mayor of Hell, Michigan, for a single day in April 2022. The town has long offered humans the chance to become “Mayor of Hell,” but Jinx made history by becoming the first cat to hold the office. Jinx is perhaps the most popular of any of the animal candidates on this list, with more than 735,000 followers on TikTok and 400,000 on Instagram — a base of support most politicians would love to have. Sadly, Jinx wasn’t mayor of Hell for long, as the position stipulates automatic impeachment at the end of the day.

— Lincoln the Goat (Mayor of Fair Haven, Vermont): Lincoln the goat’s inauguration as mayor of Fair Haven, Vermont, in 2019 was not without its difficulties. On the day she was to be sworn in, she refused to get in her cage to travel to the town hall so had to be coerced with dinner. Then there was the issue of paperwork, as Lincoln couldn’t sign the documents to make her mayorship official. Thankfully, the Fair Haven town clerk came up with a very creative idea. The clerk placed an ink pad and piece of paper on the ground for Lincoln to stomp on, thus making her new status official. Though Lincoln has since left office, the town’s line of animal mayors has continued. Elsa the goat was elected in 2022, winning a hard-fought election and defeating Maddie the dog (who finished second), and Colonel Kernal the chicken (who came in third).

— Cacareco the Rhinoceros (Sao Paolo City Council): Cacareco received an overwhelming 100,000 votes,  which was 15% of the total votes cast in the Sao Paolo, Brazil, city council election of 1959. He accomplished this despite being the only animal on this list to be elected yet never hold office. Cacareco — a resident of the Sao Paolo Zoo — was entered into the race by a group of students who, along with the town’s general population, were dissatisfied with existing politicians. Unfortunately, local officials invalidated the results and held another election the following week, despite all of Cacareco’s votes being legitimately cast. Cacareco’s legacy lived on, however; the phrase “Voto Cacareco” became a widespread term signifying a protest vote in future Brazilian elections, and the rhino also inspired the creation of the Rhinoceros Party of Canada.

As we here in America continue our own political process in the coming years, it remains to be seen if we resort to nominating any animals.

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NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

The center welcomes anyone who would like to entertain residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

The third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. has 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: Visit with your neighbor, 10 a.m.; Strong Tower Church, 2 p.m.

Monday: Walking club, 9:30 a.m.; funny youTube in the dining room, 10 a.m.; dining trivia, 11:45 a.m.; dice club, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Walking club, 9:30 a.m.; tribute to our veterans in the dining room, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Walking club, 9:30 a.m.; Mission Covenant Church, 10 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Walking club, 9:30 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.; bunny/dog visit, 2 p.m.

Friday: Walking club, 9:30 a.m.; chatter with Lisa, 10 a.m.; Golen K bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Puzzle packet, 10 a.m.; “The Wall” on Game Show Network channel, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

No information was provided.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

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

Monday: Coffee time, 9 a.m.; National Vanilla Cupcake Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; desserts and conversation, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; Veterans Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; patriotic craft, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9 a.m.; Hope Church, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; after dinner reminiscing, 5:30 p.m.

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

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Pickle Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; party for November birthdays, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; afternoon coffee, 1:30 p.m.; hunting season begins.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

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

Sunday: Apple cider and resident choice game, 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.; resident council, 1 p.m.; Veterans Day craft, 2 p.m.; Packers vs. Eagles, 7:15 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Veterans Day trivia, 10 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 a.m.; Yahtzee, 10:15 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass/anointing, 9:30 a.m.; help your neighbor, 10 a.m.; parachute, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; crafting with friends, 5:15 p.m.

Friday: Breakfast Club, 7 a.m.; current events, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m.; Pickle Day

Saturday: Scrabble, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; catch up on a show; Michigan deer hunting opening day.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information was available.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906774-5158

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

No information was provided.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

On Veterans Day, we will be offering a free lunch to all veterans. Lunch will be served at 11:30 Tuesday. Call for reservations.

Menu for the week –

Tuesday: Pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy.

Wednesday: Egg bake, hash browns, sausage, muffins.

Thursday: Sloppy Joes, macaroni and cheese, Jell-O.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Dine-in eating Monday through Thursday at 11:30 a.m., salad bar at 11 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: Liver or substitute, roasted garlic potatoes, biscuit, pudding.

Tuesday: Meat loaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans.

Wednesday: Lemon chicken and rice, broccoli, applesauce.

Thursday: Beef stroganoff over noodles, mixed vegetables, croissant.

Crystal Falls Center

Head cook: Easton Anderson

Assistant cooks: Debbie Bigalke (Mondays) and Jess Anderson (Tuesdays/Wednesdays)

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. Deliveries to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Asian night — chicken and broccoli stir fry, egg rolls.

Tuesday: Italian beef sandwiches with french fries.

Wednesday: Grilled chicken breast, baked potato.

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: Mushroom and Swiss burger, macaroni and cheese, corn.

Tuesday: Fish with Hollandaise sauce, roasted potatoes, broccoli, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Broccoli and cheese soup, side salad, peaches, pudding.

Thursday: Layered chicken casserole, cauliflower, croissant.

Friday: Scalloped potatoes and ham, peas, dinner roll.

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

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.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Homemade sausage pepperoni pizza, salad.

Tuesday: Hamburger stew with biscuits.

Wednesday: Chicken Caesar wrap, potato chips.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Biscuits and sausage gravy, hash browns, buttered squash, tropical fruit.

Tuesday: Cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato, baked beans, oven fries, fruit.

Wednesday: Sweet and sour pork over rice, Oriental vegetables, Asian cucumber salad, apple crisp with whipped topping.

Thursday: Hot turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes, corn, pumpkin pie.

Friday: Hunter’s chili, cornbread, cucumber 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: Smothered chicken, cheesy hash browns, diced carrots, pineapple/Mandarin orange mix, whole wheat bread.

Tuesday: Pork chop suey, brown rice, Oriental vegetables, Oriental cole slaw, pineapple/Mandarin orange mix.

Wednesday: Roast turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans casserole, herb stuffing, cranberry sauce, whole wheat dinner roll, pumpkin pie pudding.

Thursday: Stuffed shells with marinara sauce, Brussel sprouts, diced carrots, tropical fruit.

Friday: Polish sausage casserole, green beans, warm applesauce, whole wheat bread.

Milk available at all meals.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

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

Menu for the week —

Monday: Mushroom and Swiss burger, macaroni and cheese, corn.

Tuesday: Fish with Hollandaise sauce, roasted potatoes, broccoli, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Broccoli and cheese soup, side salad, peaches, pudding.

Thursday: Layered chicken casserole, cauliflower, croissant.

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.

Monday: Cheesy breakfast bake with ham, eggs, hash browns, fruit muffin, peaches.

Tuesday: Veterans Day dinner – bacon-wrapped pork filet, mashed sweet potatoes, corn, wheat bread, apple torte.

Wednesday: Lasagna, mixed vegetables, spinach salad with tomatoes, applesauce, garlic bread.

Bingo on Tuesday and Wednesday a 12:30 p.m.

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:30 a.m. Salad bar available from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Takeout meals are 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: Wet burritos with Spanish rice, corn, peaches, cookies.

Tuesday: Tater tot casserole, green beans, Mandarins, apple crisp.

Wednesday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, cauliflower, garlic bread, pears.

Thursday: Company chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, peas, tropical blend fruit, cake.

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.

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. Dine-in meal is $5 and takeout meal is $6. Reservations are required. Call 906-542-3273 and specify if you want to dine in or take out. Come and enjoy a meal with us — all are welcome — any age. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Chicken parmesan, pasta.

Wednesday: Beef stew, biscuits.

Thursday: Country-fried pork chops, fried potatoes.