Suzanne Killian

NIAGARA, Wis. — Amid the many holiday preparations that keep all of us busy at this time of year, it is nice to leave some time for reminiscing. My husband and I like to have a little “happy hour” in front of the Christmas tree a few evenings a week, during which time we remember together how our traditions and preparations have changed over the years. From our own childhoods, through the years of being Santa for our own children, to these quieter times, the manner in which we have observed this special time has changed quite a bit.

When I was a child, I sang in children’s choir at Grace Lutheran Church on Christmas Eve. By the time church was over, Santa had arrived, and my siblings and I opened our gifts as soon as we got home. Our excitement was palpable. I do not know how my mom pulled it off every year, but she made it special and we were always surprised. I distinctly remember getting the Tiny Tears Doll I had wanted so much; she cried tears and wet her pants! It was the very last gift I opened — just as my mother had planned so as to keep the suspense until the very end. As we got older, surprising us became much more difficult. No matter how hard she tried, all four of us became super sleuths and had always found our gifts ahead of time. She fixed a wonderful meal on Christmas Day, and my grandparents and my grandmother’s “spinster sister,” Ida, came for the meal as well.

My husband and his family celebrated at their maternal grandparents’ house on Christmas Eve, where the DeBruin side of the family all gathered, and the martinis flowed. Santa came quietly on that same evening so gifts were opened after Mass on Christmas Day. Later, they drove up to Kaukauna where the Killian side of the family gathered — all 11 siblings and their families!

After we met and married, Christmas was split between Ripon and Menasha. Santa arrived to our house while we were gone, and our kids opened their gifts the morning after we got back home. It was a bit of a juggling act, but it worked for many years.

Christmas Eve was always spent in Ripon. My mom fixed a big meal, after which we opened gifts to each other. My mom always took in many extra typing jobs so as to have Christmas money; she loved spending it this way as she was a very generous person at heart. My grandmother was living with her by then and always enjoyed all the festivities.

On Christmas Day, we headed to Menasha and gathered at my husband’s parents’ home. His siblings and their families were all there. Lots of chatter and laughter filled the house as Christmas drinks were mixed. We all lived in different cities, but Christmas was the one day each year (along with the Fourth of July holiday) that everyone came home. For several years, there was someone pregnant on Christmas. Four children produced 12 grandchildren — good Catholic families all! One Christmas was particularly funny when we found that one of the grandkids had replaced the Holy Family, shepherds and wisemen figurines in the nativity with Sesame Street finger puppets. Burt, Ernie and Big Bird looked quite out of place in the manger! Our oldest son was also the oldest grandchild, and my father-in-law solicited his help in “keeping the grandkids entertained.” He was happy to have that responsibility and organized a play every year. Of course, he not only directed it but also had the leading role. No one ever challenged him, either, and we all enjoyed the end result.

As wonderful a family tradition as this was, the travel at that time of year was always a concern. I generally worried myself silly in advance of the holiday every year. I remember two trips to this day that were particularly harrowing. We were living in Beaver Dam at the time. The weather had cooperated on the trips to both Ripon and Menasha, but on the day we were to return to our house, it started to snow. We headed out, but by the time we got halfway to Beaver Dam, it was a white-out blizzard. We made it, pulled safely into the driveway of our rental, and promptly got stuck. We had no power, so had cold sandwiches for supper in front of the fireplace.

Two years — and an additional child — later, we were living in the woods in Pembine. We already knew the drive was going to be a challenge, so along with the luggage and the gifts in the trunk of our car, we packed a shovel and a bag of sawdust. Thankfully, we never needed either one, but the cars that lined the ditches on both sides of the road all the way south could have used them. That trip, which typically took two hours, took us four. Needless to say, Pat’s parents were very relieved when we pulled into their driveway that Christmas.

Once our sons were college age, we discontinued the travel and had grandparents come to us. Our time with our boys was so limited that we did not want travel to cut into their visit. And, truth be told, by that time my mother and mother-in-law were happy to relinquish the cooking to me. The trips home made by our siblings disappeared into lovely memories for the same reason. And it wasn’t too long before the grandparents opted to forego winter travel as well.

For several years, our sons returned home with wives and our grandchildren. But there was one distinct difference: they both opted to observe Christmas proper at their own homes with Santa coming there. They found a weekend when they could come either before or after the holiday, and that is the way it has been with no pressure from us to do it differently. Our oldest son and his family live in Green Bay and visit either before Christmas or in between Christmas and New Year’s Day. When our youngest son lived in St. Paul, we would visit him sometime around the holidays. Now that he has moved to Arizona, we mail a box of treats and call on the phone.

My husband and I are at that point in our lives where the holidays are a lot less stressful. We still decorate, and I still bake cookies and make fudge. We may have friends over for a meal. But by and large, it is just us drinking egg nog in the living room with a fireplace scene on the television screen and Christmas music playing in the background. If it snows, we have no worries. We just settle back and enjoy the peace of the season.

As it is written in Ecclesiastes: “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.” We have made our trips through the snow and have enjoyed spending time with our loved ones. But we now appreciate the quiet and peace of the season … at home with each other.

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.; work on the weekend packet, 6 p.m.

Monday: You Tube funnies, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; karaoke, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Nail spa, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Bible study, 10 a.m.; white board, 10:30 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Christmas movies, 10 a.m.; coloring, 2 p.m.

Friday: Chatter Box group, 10 a.m.; 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

Sunday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; volleyball, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; bingorama, 2p.m.

Monday: Early bird bingo, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; Christmas sing along, 2 p.m.; Christmas carol name that tune, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Getting pretty, 9:30 a.m.; Men’s Club, 10 am.; parachute, 10:45 a.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; happy hour with Gayle, 2 p.m.; holiday movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Christmas reminisce with cocoa and cookies, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; Christmas bingo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; pass the prize, 2 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; hangman, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: “Price is Right”/ hangman, 9:30 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.  

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

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

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; manicures, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; Christmas movie marathon day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Christmas movie/party, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; national eggnog day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Santa visits Optalis, 9 a.m.; leisure cart; afternoon coffee, 1:30 p. m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Candy Cane Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

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

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

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

Sunday: Scattegories, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; movie and popcorn, “Elf,” 1:30 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; eggnog and Christmas carols, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; roll a snowman game, 10 a.m.; board games, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Christmas social, 10 a.m.; Christmas, 2 p.m.

Friday: Five second rule, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Uno, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; write a letter.

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.; The Colors of Christmas, 2:30 p.m.; “Sunday Night Football”; coloring pages; daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; “You be the Judge,” 11 a.m.; Christmas party with Vicky and Dave, 2 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4:15 p.m.; “Monday Night Football,” 6:45 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Christmas brunch to go, 10 a.m.; drive-in movie, “The Christmas Story,” 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Yahtzee, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Christmas movie, “The Grinch,” 10 a.m.; Christmas candlelight service/caroling with Victory Fellowship, 2 p.m.; cocoa and Christmas trivia.; daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo, 10 a.m.; yes, Virginia, 11:15; tea and reminiscing, 1:30 p.m.; “Thursday Night Football,” 7 p.m.; activity packets, daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; name 5, 11:15 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; bean bag toss, 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, daily chronicles.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Monday: Chili, cornbread, salad.

Tuesday: Baked ham, cheesy potatoes, vegetable, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Closed — Christmas Eve.

Thursday: Closed — Christmas Day.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

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

Closed all week for Christmas.

Crystal Falls Center

Head cook:

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 your 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: Grandma’s pot roast with potatoes and carrots.

Tuesday: Baked chicken, rice pilaf, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Closed for Christmas Eve.

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: Ham, mashed sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, puff pastry.

Tuesday: Swedish meat balls, buttered noodles, mixed vegetables, dinner roll (delivered on Dec. 19).

Wednesday: Center closed — Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes, baby carrots, dinner roll (delivered on Dec. 19).

Thursday: Center closed – Sloppy Joe with bun, cowboy beans, potato wedges (meal delivered on Dec. 19).

Friday: Biscuits and gravy, oven-roasted potatoes, applesauce (meal delivered on Dec. 22)

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.

For more information, call Sarah VanMarter at 906-774-2256, ext. 244.

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: Chicken ala King with biscuit.

Tuesday: Mock cabbage roll, applesauce, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Closed for Christmas Eve.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Meatball sub with spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese, chickpea-cucumber-tomato salad, chips and dip, fruit.

Tuesday: Hot beef sandwich, mashed potatoes, candied carrots, fruit, peppermint crispy treats.

Wednesday: Centers closed.

Thursday: Centers closed.

Friday: Centers closed.

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

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving on site Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 11:30 a.m. RSVP by calling 715-589-4491. Homebound meals will be delivered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Florence Community Center

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

Fence Town Hall

Closed this week. Serving at noon Wednesdays 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: Breaded chicken breast, whole wheat hamburger bun, potato wedges, peas and carrots, fruit cup.

Tuesday: Beefy tater tot casserole, vegetables, warm cinnamon peaches, whole wheat bread

Wednesday: Closed.

Thursday: Closed.

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: Ham, mashed sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, puff pastry.

Tuesday: Closed — Meal delivered Dec. 19: Swedish meatballs over buttered noodles, mixed vegetables, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Closed — Meal delivered Dec. 19: Sloppy Joe with bun, cowboy beans, potato wedges

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: Kielbasa with peppers and onions, rice pilaf, mixed vegetables, fruit juice.

Wednesday: Closed — Christmas Eve.

Thursday: Closed — Christmas Day.

Bingo most Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 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. hose attending should let staff know in advance if planning to dine in or picking up the meal.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Baked ham, sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin bar.

Tuesday: Breakfast bake, sausage links, hashbrown patty, applesauce.

Wednesday: Closed — Christmas Eve.

Thursday: Closed — Christmas Day.

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 are also available. Dine-in meal is $5 and take out is $6. Reservations are required. Call 906-542-3273 and specify if you want to dine in or take out. All are welcome — any age. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Closed.

Wednesday: Closed — Christmas Eve.

Thursday: Closed — Christmas Day.