Suzanne Killian

NIAGARA, Wis. — I recently stumbled across the following quotation on the Internet: “All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” This is a quotation from Martin Buber, a prominent German Jewish philosopher, educator and political activist in the first half of the 20th century.

When we take the time to ponder this claim, I believe we will agree that it is quite true. But, why is it that our lives rarely follow our master plan? And given this fact, should we even bother to make a plan in the first place?

First, let’s try to answer that first question. Why don’t our initial plans work out? Simply put, life just has a way of happening; its path is filled with many twists and turns that we could not have anticipated so it would have been impossible to effectively prepare in advance for any changes that would need to be made. Consequently, we rarely end up at the destination we had expected.

Are these surprises, with their required adjustments, a good thing? The answer lies in how we handle the detours. Buber postulates that if we embrace the changes that are necessary, the detours we take will offer hidden benefits that are critical parts of learning, growing and ultimately enjoying life.

Take some time to ponder Buber’s claim. Can you remember a time in your life when you could not act in your usual fashion, when you did something completely different from your usual routine? What were the results of those actions?

For me, the answer to that question is easy, and it takes me back to when I was only 19 years old. My girlfriends and I lived in Ripon, Wis., and we always went out to The Rail in Oshkosh on Saturday nights. This was a very popular teen bar with live music. For some reason, on this particular weekend, we drove the 20 miles there on a Friday. This sounds like a simple change in plans. But, as it turned out, it completely changed the course of my life for it was the night I met my husband. A year and a half later, we were married.

Was I out looking to find my future husband? Certainly not; I had plans for myself that did not include a wedding at the age of 20. I would graduate from college and find a teaching job and my own apartment. I would teach for at least five years before I got married. After my marriage, my husband and I would work for five years, saving one entire income toward buying a house for which we would pay cash. Then we could “afford” to have children. I am very much aware of how my inexperience shows in these plans.

Needless to say, new plans were formulated — and reformulated — many times after that. The birth of our first son pretty much determined when we would have our second child. We were only going to have two and did not want them to be 10 years apart — affordability gave way to more important considerations. We moved north and bought our house in Niagara — never did pay for it in cash! Neither one of us ended up becoming teachers, but ended up finding jobs that developed into lifelong, satisfying careers.

Buber suggests that life’s detours are far from being the reason for roadblocks. Instead, he suggests embracing the hidden benefits each brings and recognize them as a critical part of learning, growing and enjoying life. After experiencing this phenomenon, I have to agree.

My husband and I look back now with fond memories of being very young parents. We had the energy to enjoy every phase of parenthood. We involved ourselves with our boys and their activities and friends. We had a den of Cub Scouts meet at our house weekly. We helped them earn their badges and were so proud of them when they won Best of Show with their booth at the Cub Scout annual Jamboree. My husband wrestled with the boys who came to birthday party sleepovers while I envisioned broken furniture! I baked cookies that were shared with the neighborhood and enjoyed the fact that at any given time, there were a dozen kids playing in our backyard. I had the energy of a “young mom.” We were also young enough to better understand (because we could more easily remember) the trials and tribulations of adolescence and were there to listen and advise when our sons hit that bumpy road. Finally, being younger parents also made us younger grandparents when that phase of life presented itself.

I also believe that being such young parents helped us to better appreciate the proverbial “empty nest” when it arrived in our early 40s. The carefree days experienced by most newlyweds arrived for us 20 years later. By then, we had an established marriage and could enjoy the feelings of accomplishment that came with having raised two sons.

And we could experience the less-structured days of being just a couple. I remember doing many things at the spur of the moment which could not really have happened when our sons were our priority. They had to have supper on time so we could move into the evening’s activities with them. Life was simply a lot more scheduled. We totally enjoyed this period of our lives when we could make each other our priority.

Now that I have attained the “age of wisdom” — that period of time when most of our life’s journey lies in the rearview mirror — I can honestly say that I am thankful for everything. I was happy to have been a young parent. I liked the years spent with my husband when we were still young enough to enjoy each other. And I enjoy these senior years as I remember each phase of our lives.

Robert Frost said it best in his poem “The Road Not Taken.” He is out riding and sees two roads that pass through a forest. He pauses to ponder which road he should take. Once he decides, he shares this thought:

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

We are all faced with decisions throughout life. We struggle sometimes to make the right one, but once made, we tend to make the best of it. We build our lives based upon those decisions and may from time-to-time wonder if we had chosen differently, would our lives have been easier. Or better in some way? Having been on that same less travelled road with Frost, I have to agree: it definitely made all the difference.

NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

They welcome anyone who would like to entertain 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 Café — a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program runs on donations.

Sunday: Church on TV, 10 a.m.; have fun with the weekend packet, 6 p.m.

Monday: Documentaries about presidents, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; around the clock, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Making our Mardi Gras beads for today, 10 a.m.; Mardi Gras bingo, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee chat, 10 a.m.; Uno, 10:30 a.m.; Bible verse, 11 a.m.; racko, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Parachute, 10 a.m.; Bible verse, 11 a.m.; making roses, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Chair workout, 10 a.m.; gospel music, 10:30 a.m.; Bible verse, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Listen to oldies on your TV, 10 a.m.; “The Wall” on the Game Show Network, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; reminisce, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.

Monday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 3 p.m.; jokes and cocoa, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9:30 a.m.; Amasa Senior Center, 9:15 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; faces and places, 2 p.m.; mystery movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Community breakfast, 8:30 a.m.; Animal Kingdom 10 a.m.; parachute, 10:45 a.m.; Dan’s songs for seniors, 2 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.; United Lutheran, 2 p.m.; happy hour with Jim, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Memory books, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; volleyball, 2 p.m.; western movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: ICMCF word search/spelling bball, 9:30 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.  

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Sunday devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; afternoon coffee, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; Presidents’ Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; music by Group Therapy,11 p.m.; after dinner reminiscing, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; Mardi Gras parade, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Fat Tuesday party, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; Dr. Pol, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Bethany Lutheran Church, 2 p.m.; desserts and conversations, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; crafting, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; root beer floats, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Muffin 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/movie, 1:30 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families are allowed to attend activities and encouraged to participate.

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

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 p.m.; Resident Council, 1 p.m.; swatter balloon, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pizza making, 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.; hangman, 10:15 a.m.; Bible stories with Ed Laarman, 1 p.m.; wine and tattoos, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; yahtzee, 10:15 a.m.; music by Victoria Ziptor, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: Mugs and muffins, 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.; Sunday funday, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages; daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; travelogue, 11 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo, 10:30 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; Mardi Gras party, 2 p.m.; rummy, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; Pictionary, 11 a.m.; Bob Larson, 2 p.m.; cribbage, 4 p.m.; drama club.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo, 10:30 a.m.; joke of the day; Celtic band, 2 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles; drama club .

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; paint and sip, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; resident choice, 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.; activity packets, daily chronicles.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables.

Wednesday: Lemon pepper cod, baked potato, salad.

Thursday: Chicken stir fry, rice, breadstick.

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, soup and salad bar are also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, green beans, garlic bread.

Tuesday: Pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, pudding.

Wednesday: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, peas.

Thursday: Baked fish, au gratin potatoes, coleslaw, dinner roll.

Crystal Falls Center

906-875-6709

The center serves 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 a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Rigatoni, garlic sticks.

Tuesday: Shepherd’s pie.

Wednesday: Scalloped potatoes with ham.

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: Brats, seasoned potato wedges, baked beans.

Tuesday: Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes, candied carrots, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Tuna casserole, green beans, biscuit.

Thursday: Baked chicken, buttered noodles, dinner roll, pudding.

Friday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic bread.

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 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: Cheese omelet, sausage, hashbrowns, warm fruit, toast.

Tuesday: Chicken and wild rice casserole, vegetables, croissant.

Wednesday: Evening meal – Pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, dinner roll.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Centers closed for Presidents’ Day.

Tuesday: Swiss steak, mashed potatoes, corn, tropical fruit.

Wednesday: Lazy pierogi casserole, spinach orange salad, bread sticks, peach cobbler.

Thursday: Beef noodle casserole, vegetable medley, fruit.

Friday: Beer-battered fish, sweet potato oven fries, baked beans, fruit.

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

Fence Town Hall

Serving at noon on 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: Sloppy Joe with whole wheat hamburger bun, potato wedges, green beans, apple slices.

Tuesday: Chicken pot pie, root vegetable blend, warm cinnamon pears, whole wheat bread.

Wednesday: Smothered pork chops, boiled red potatoes, corn, fruit cocktail, whole wheat bread.

Thursday: Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes, diced carrots, fresh fruit, whole wheat bead.

Milk is available at all meals.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Salad bar opens at 11 a.m., with the meal served at 11:30 a.m. On Thursdays, salad bar opens at 3:30 p.m., with the meal at 4 p.m. Meals can be prepared for carryout. Menu for the week —

Monday: Tuna melt, cream of mushroom soup.

Tuesday: Cheeseburger, mac and cheese, baked beans.

Wednesday: Cheese cod, Bitsy’s slaw, parsley potatoes.

Thursday: Scalloped potatoes and ham, roll.

Friday: Breadsticks at 10 a.m.

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

Smear played at 5 p.m. Thursdays; cribbage second and fourth Thursdays at 6 p.m. Golden K meets at 8 a.m. Wednesdays.

Pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21.

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: Chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, whole wheat dinner roll, fresh orange.

Wednesday: Breaded fish sandwich, parsley potatoes, battered beets, blueberry dessert.

Thursday: Salisbury steak with mushrooms and gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, carrots, creamy broccoli salad, wheat bread.

Bingo at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.

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: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, wax beans.

Tuesday: Barbecued pulled pork sandwich, french fries, coleslaw.

Wednesday: Chef salad (with ham, chicken and egg), ham and Swiss slider, cookie.

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

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. Dine-in meal is $5 and takeout meal is $6. Reservations are required and should specify if dining in or taking out. Come and enjoy a meal with us — all are welcome — any age. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Pasty pie.

Wednesday: It’s a picnic! Brats, burgers, baked beans, potato salad.

Thursday: Tater tot casserole, fried green beans.