Suzanne Killian

NIAGARA, Wis. — As 2025 draws to its close, I wanted to take a look back to a year that is near and dear to my heart — 1969. Not only was it the year I graduated from high school and was very much looking forward to starting college, but it was also a year of tumult in our country’s history.

Many of us today lament the period of history in which we find ourselves and may even look back with rose-colored glasses to past decades, remembering them without their turmoil. So, while we may be anxious about many of today’s happenings and may even find ourselves avoiding the nightly news, we need to let history show us that there have been other periods marked by unrest from which we successfully emerged and were stronger for that journey.

I must admit that I was not the most politically aware 18-year-old girl in 1969. My focus was pretty selfish, actually. My primary concerns were always academic, and the future was always in sight — my grades, my plans and my life. However, in 1969, world events were hard to ignore. The Vietnam war was raging, students were demonstrating against that war on college campuses across our nation, and young men were graduating from high school with a diploma and a draft card whose number would determine their future. Too many would never live to build that future.

A very controversial president was in office. The country, along with individual families, were divided in their viewpoints. Fathers who had fought valiantly in World War II had a hard time understanding why their sons were not as patriotic. Sons could not understand why their fathers could not see that this was a totally different kind of war, and that Richard Nixon was not Franklin Roosevelt.

Yet, no matter how our memories brand certain periods of history as tumultuous, there are other, more positive events that mark the same period. So, while our human nature tends to hold onto difficult memories, I wanted to spend a little time today recalling a few other events of 1969 that we may have forgotten.

— About 650 million people worldwide watched the moon landing. In July 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins traveled to space on the first crewed mission to land on the moon. Back on Earth, meanwhile, about a fifth of the global population was glued to their television sets to watch events unfold. The moon landing itself was broadcast live to the world July 21 as the images were beamed back to Earth. Engineers at three tracking stations — one in the U.S. and two in Australia — busily converted the raw feed into a format compatible with terrestrial broadcasts, providing arguably the most historic TV broadcast ever. 

— The Beatles’ final performance was the same year as Woodstock. The Beatles played their last official live concert on Aug. 29, 1966, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, but it wasn’t their final public performance. That came in January 1969, when the Fab Four played their now-iconic rooftop concert on top of Apple Studios in London. The impromptu gig was the last show of their career, and later that year they released their 11th and final studio album, “Abbey Road.” While one era was coming to an end, across the pond a plethora of bands were either breaking into the big time or solidifying their star status at one of the most famous music festivals in history: Woodstock. More than 400,000 people showed up to the event, many without tickets, and the whole thing looked destined to descend into chaos, especially with a lack of security in place and heavy rainfall that turned the festival site into a sea of mud. The audience didn’t seem to mind, however, and they ended up witnessing now-legendary performances from the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Who, the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and Jefferson Airplane. 

— The age of the jumbo jet began with the first Boeing 747 Flight. On Feb. 9, 1969, the Boeing 747 made its first flight, heralding a new age of the wide-body jet. After almost a year of further testing, the 747 flew its first commercial flight on Jan. 22, 1970, carrying 335 passengers and 20 crew members from New York’s Kennedy Airport to Heathrow Airport in London. The commercial jet opened up the airways to middle-class passengers, and soon airports around the world were adapting and growing in size to accommodate the 747 and the hordes of passengers each flight could carry. Airport boarding lounges, customs and immigration areas, and ground crews all had to be expanded and upgraded to facilitate the dawn of the jumbo jet. 

— Project Blue Book left 701 UFO cases as “unidentified.” In the 1940s, a spate of UFO sightings across the U.S. — many of which are now considered the archetypes of alien encounters — resulted in a U.S. Air Force investigation called Operation Sign in 1948. This operation expanded and, in 1952, Project Blue Book was born. It went on to become the federal government’s longest-running UFO investigation, with reports compiled on 12,618 UFO sightings. When Project Blue Book came to an end in 1969, the vast majority of these strange events were officially marked as “identified,” and their causes attributed to known astronomical, atmospheric, or artificial (human-made) phenomena. Not everything was neatly cleared away, however, as 701 sightings remained officially “unidentified.” Nonetheless, the vast majority of these anomalies were identified and explained.

As this very brief recap of 1969 demonstrates, we tend to remember that year in the negative light of Vietnam. Yet, positive events did occur. While the historical results of President Trump’s second term remain to be seen, we can assume by looking back at the historically tumultuous 1969 that there may be some positive events to recall as a result of his presidency. History is always a blend of both positive and negative events with far-reaching impact upon the future.

We can compare our nation’s history to our own individual stories. How many among us have led charmed lives without error or missteps; without decisions we wish we could make differently knowing what we know now? I will venture a guess that there is no one who doesn’t wish for a do-over from time to time. Yet, as individuals, we “keep on keepin’ on.”

I had two wonderful role models growing up. My grandmother, a very religious woman, believed with her whole heart that “whatever shall be, will be.” My mother, left without her husband after only five years of marriage, was too stubborn to let life defeat her. She worked full time while raising her four children and had the attitude whenever things got especially difficult, “This, too, shall pass.”

I recently came across these words to remember:

“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”

“Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it.”

“Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come.”

“Faith doesn’t always make things easy — it makes them possible.”

We are a country comprised of millions of people. As individuals, we persevere. So, too, will our nation.

——

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: Christmas party with Strong Tower Church, 2 p.m.

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

Tuesday: Nail spa, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; Christmas music with Todd, 2 p.m.

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

Thursday: Exercise, 10 a.m.; deer hunting, 10:30 a.m.; resident birthday party, 2 p.m.

Friday: Getting ready for the Christmas social; Christmas social, 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.; storytelling, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; afternoon matinee with popcorn, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Coffee social/early bird bingo, 9:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; Santa’s elves, 1:15 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; musical carolers, 5 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9:30 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 am.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; Dan’s songs for seniors, 2 p.m.; holiday movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Community breakfast, 8:15 a.m.; Animal Kingdom, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; Sunshine Club, 1 p.m.; Scattegories, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 p.m.

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

Friday: Christmas PJ Day; crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; mystery ride, 1 p.m.; wine tasting, 2 p.m.; holiday movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Puzzler/Name That Word, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; Girl Scout carolers, 1 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.; National Cupcake Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; music by Todd Wangerin, 2 p.m.; after dinner reminiscing, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Cat Lovers’ Month, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; music by Group Therapy, 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; Immaculate Conception Church, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Lutheran church, 11 p.m.; desserts and conversations, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Pear Month, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; cookie decorating, 2 p.m.

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

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

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families can attend activities and are encouraged to join in.

Sunday: Gift wrapping and card writing, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; movie and popcorn/Christmas show, 1:30 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.; Packers vs. Broncos, 3:25 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; making gingerbread houses, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Protestant Church service, 10 a.m.; “You Be the Judge,” 10:15 a.m.; shopping outing, 1 p.m.; fly swatter balloon, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Protestant church service, 10 a.m.; buzz word, 10:15 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; Mission Covenant carolers, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; help your neighbor, 10 a.m.; Christmas cookie decorating, 2 p.m.; light tour, 5 p.m.

Friday: Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; resident Christmas party with music, treats and drinks, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Scrabble, 10 a.m.; prize bingo, 2 p.m.; catch up on a show.

Florence Health Services

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.; guess the 1960s TV show theme song, 2:30 p.m.; “Sunday Night Football”; coloring pages; daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; you be the judge, 11 a.m.; manicure Monday, 2 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; “Monday Night Football,” 6:45 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room and baking, 9:30 a.m.; CNPS and NCA High School band, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sorry, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Christmas science project, 11 a.m.; Christmas program CNPS, 1 p.m.; Bob Larson, 2 p.m.; Uno, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles, Christmas spirit drop-off

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo, 10:30 a.m.; Celtic band, 2 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; carolers, 6 p.m.; “Thursday Night Football,” 7 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; gift shop/trivia, 11:15 a.m.; deck my ride parade, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; Christmas light tour, 5 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; chair exercise, 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 —

Tuesday: Smothered chicken, wild rice, broccoli salad.

Wednesday: Hot hamburger, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, salad.

Thursday: Bratwurst with kraut, potato salad, Jell-O.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Dine-in eating Monday through Thursday at noon. Soup and salad bar are available at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals are available. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week —

Monday: Sweet and sour pork, fried rice, Oriental vegetables, fortune cookie

Tuesday: Chicken soft tacos, Spanish rice, refried beans

Wednesday: Swedish meatballs, buttered noodles, mixed vegetables

Thursday: Smothered chicken and rice, California blend vegetables, dinner roll

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 —

Menu for the week —

Monday: Pork steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables.

Tuesday: Rigatoni, garlic bread.

Wednesday: Spanish rice casserole, vegetables, dinner roll.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 244.

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

Monday: Deluxe hamburger, sweet potato fries, baked beans.

Tuesday: Spaghetti with meatballs, cauliflower, garlic bread.

Wednesday: Liver or substitute, roasted potatoes, biscuit, pudding.

Thursday: Chicken cacciatore over rice, wax beans, biscuit, Jell-O with fruit.

Friday: Brats, corn, macaroni and cheese (meal delivered on December 18).

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 is:

Monday: Les Artistes Art Club, noon to 4 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.

Friday: Cards, smear, noon to 4 p.m.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Center is serving meals Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. salad bar; 11:30 a.m. meal. Dessert served with each meal. Third Wednesday of each month, they offer an evening meal, 4:30 p.m. salad bar; 5 p.m. meal. Takeout meals are available for pick up at 11 a.m. for lunch or 4 p.m. for the evening meal. Cost is $5 per meal 60 and older and $6 for younger than 60; add 50 cents for takeout orders and $1 for to-go salad.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Soup with fish sandwich.

Tuesday: Lasagna with garlic bread.

Wednesday: Evening meal — baked ham with scalloped potatoes.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Menu for the week —

Monday: French toast casserole, breakfast sausage, hashbrowns, vegetable juice, fruit medley

Tuesday: Chicken tortellini alfredo, broccoli, spinach orange salad, fruit

Wednesday: Baked ham, company potatoes, green bean casserole, whole wheat roll, chocolate mint pie

Thursday: Liver and onions or chicken breast, au gratin potatoes, corn, fruit

Friday: Shepherd’s pie, green beans, stewed tomatoes, fruit

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

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving on site at 11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday. For reservations, call 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

Serving at noon Wednesdays 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: Turkey gravy over mashed potatoes, vegetable, whole wheat bread, tropical fruit

Tuesday: Fiesta scrambled eggs, stewed tomatoes, warm cinnamon peaches, whole wheat bread

Wednesday: Holiday Meal — Baked ham, mashed sweet potatoes, California vegetables, pineapple tidbits, whole wheat dinner roll, carrot cake

Thursday: Broccoli cheese soup, chef’s choice sandwich, cucumber tomato salad, fruit cup

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. No night meals are available. Meals can be prepared for carryout.

Monday: Deluxe hamburger, sweet potato fries, baked beans.

Tuesday: Spaghetti with meatballs, cauliflower, garlic bread.

Wednesday: Liver or substitute, roasted potatoes, biscuit, pudding.

Thursday: No meal delivery today (this meal will be delivered Dec. 17). Brats, corn, macaroni and cheese.

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

Niagara Senior Center/Café

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. Transportation to the meal site is available.

Tuesday: Barbecue pork, twice-baked potatoes, carrots, wheat bread, pineapple.

Wednesday: Christmas Party — Ham, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, wheat dinner roll, apple pie.

Thursday: Chicken Alfredo, fettuccini, broccoli, butter beans, mixed fruit.

Bingo on Tuesday and Wednesday 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: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, Italian blend vegetables.

Tuesday: Barbecue pulled pork sandwich, fries, Brussel sprouts.

Wednesday: Chef salad with ham, chicken and egg, ham and Swiss slider, tropical fruit.

Thursday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables.

Board meeting on Thursday.

All meals include milk, juice, fruit, bread and dessert.

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 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 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: Swedish pancakes and sausage.

Wednesday: Spaghetti and meatballs.

Thursday: Christmas dinner — buffet style.888