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NIAGARA, Wis. -- Autumn has descended upon our northern world. The past several weeks did not disappoint; the colors and cooler temperatures were greatly appreciated. Even though we are now well past peak, the oaks and tamarack are still hanging in and the golden aspen are still fluttering to provide us with the last hurrah of this glorious season.
When my husband and I were younger, we took advantage of these beautiful autumn days to explore the awesome landscapes of the Upper Peninsula. We rented a cabin in Ontonagon and hiked the Porkies, which I wrote about in a previous column. That adventure taught us a great deal about the importance of advance planning and preparation, neither of which we had done before we made that particular hike. Spur-of-the-moment thinking can actually be dangerous in that terrain.
We regularly hiked the two-mile stretch of shoreline between Wetmore Landing and Little Presque Isle in all seasons of the year. On one of those hikes, a glorious bald eagle visited us four times; it was really special and burned a place in my long-term memory bank.
Another memory that has taken up permanent residence in my brain is the trip we made across the ice from Little Presque Isle point to the neighboring island. That crossing is relatively shallow so freezes very well in winter. But the open water to our right was a bit disconcerting! I was afraid, but my husband held my hand as I was bent over at the waist taking baby steps until we made it across. I am so glad that I let him talk me into that experience, for we were treated to a spectacular view -- complete with sound effects -- when we got to the far side of the island. We were standing high above the big lake that looked like a patchwork quilt of floating ice chunks as the water undulated underneath. Just below us there were sound effects, too; as the water slapped against the rock face of the cliff and filled the cavern below us, it gave out the eeriest sounding moan.
Another memorable trip was a drive up to Copper Harbor when the trees were ablaze with all the colors of autumn. We hiked the Estevant Pines area and held hands so we could stretch our arms around those spectacular huge trees. We had never seen a tract of virgin timber before, and it still defies any description. A trip up there in the fall of the year should be on everyone's bucket list. And if the pines were not enough of a treat, we were entertained by the northern lights that evening. We laid on our backs on the golf course of the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and just watched all of the colors dance across the night sky. I have never seen as great a display since that vacation.
One of the most special parts of living up north is that we do not have to go far to see the gifts Mother Nature has prepared for us. We have stayed home and hiked to a waterfall down LaSalle Falls Road. It was on that excursion that we noticed a pile of bear scat on our return trip that had not been there earlier. Needless to say, we hiked back to our car much faster than we had walked at the start of our hike! We have also enjoyed visiting Fumee Lake. And I still remember how awestruck we were when we discovered Piers Gorge. That was a wonderful, and very doable, hike for our whole family when our boys were young.
Several memorable trips were made to the top of Hog Back Mountain in Marquette. This trek was both the most challenging and the most rewarding of all our hiking experiences. First, it was the most confusing. We knew it would be easy to get turned around because we had read several newspaper articles about Northern Michigan University students getting lost on this particular hike and having to call for help. We really paid close attention as we walked, following the blue dots on the trees and turning around to see what the trail would look like on our return trip. We specifically looked for unusual signs that would tell us we were going back the right way: an odd branch, an unusually large boulder, or a specific sign post. While there were a few sign posts, Mother Nature provided most of the guidance.
Another crucial area that demanded our attention was what the summit looked like when we arrived. There were three ways to come down off that mountain. If we chose a different starting point on our return trip, we would most definitely get turned around. The trip was well worth the effort, as the view from the top was incredible. The forest stretched out in three directions, so we were looking down upon the trees among which we had recently walked. The fourth vantage point gave us a view of Lake Superior that stretched for miles. And we saw our first pileated woodpecker on one trip -- quite an amazing bird. I did not know woodpeckers came in extra-large!
Needless to say, at 75 with an arthritic back, I can no longer take the long hikes my husband and I used to enjoy so much. But for those of you with no restrictions, I strongly advise communing with Mother Nature as often as your schedules allow. Time spent in nature is always worth it. Recent research shows that even short bursts of exercise can help counter the effects of our modern lifestyles, and increasingly, studies suggest that spending time in the great outdoors can improve attention span, lower stress, and even help us have more empathy and compassion.
The folks quoted below agree.
"Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit." -- Edward Abbey
"I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright." -- Henry David Thoreau
"I felt my lungs inflate with the inrush of scenery -- air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, This is what it is to be happy." -- Sylvia Plath
"There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter." -- Rachel Carson
"Hiking is not escapism; it's realism. The people who choose to spend time outdoors are not running away from anything; we are returning to where we belong." -- Jennifer Pharr Davis
"Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books." -- John Lubbock
"Nature can bring you to stillness. That is its gift to you." -- Eckhart Tolle
"The poetry of the earth is never dead." -- John Keats
"The natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living." -- David Attenborough
Even though most of our beautiful leaves now blanket the forest floor, it is never too late to take a walk in the woods. You can enjoy the smell of the leaves and the sound of their rustle under your feet. There are birds to see and hear. The wind through the bare tree branches is calling us all to come and explore. Pay attention to Mother Nature's invitation.
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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 also are needed to help with crafts and other activities. The third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. has 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: Coloring, 10 a.m.; grab a book, 6 p.m.
Monday: Movie, 10 a.m.; Uno, 2 p.m.
Tuesday: Nail/spa, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.
Wednesday: Sing along with Michael, 10 a.m.; coffee and trivia, 11:30 a.m.; Yahtzee, 1:30 p.m.
Thursday: Resident council meeting, 10 a.m.; ceramic painting, 1:30 p.m.
Friday: Karaoke, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.
Saturday: Puzzles in the Lounge; games in the dining room
Iron County Medical Care Facility
Crystal Falls
906-874-1501
Sunday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; "You be the Judge," 9:45 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; hymns with Dan, 1 p.m.
Monday: Crafts, 9:45 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 a.m.; book club, 9:45 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; hangman, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.
Wednesday: Coffee social, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; parachute, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; Dan's songs, 1 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 p.m.
Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; happy hour with Jim, 2 p.m.
Friday: Crafts with Bea, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; mystery ride, 1 p.m.; penny ante, 2 p.m.; activity council, 3 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.
Saturday: Room-to-room bingo, 9:30 a.m.; Yahtzee, 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: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Day of the Dead coloring sheets, 1:30 p.m.
Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; cards in the lobby, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday: Coffee time, 9 a.m.; resident council meeting, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; November trivia, 2 p.m.
Wednesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; Dr. Pol show, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mini mysteries, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; riddle jumble, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; patriotic craft, 2 p.m.
Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; word search, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:30 p.m.
Saturday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; crossword puzzle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; spa day and manicures, 1:30 p.m.
Maryhill Manor Nursing Home
Niagara, Wis.
715-251-3172
Families are allowed to attend activities and encouraged to join in.
Sunday: All Saints Day. Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 10:15 a.m.; movie and popcorn, 1:30 p.m.; church service, 2:45 p.m.
Monday: All Souls Day. Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; whammo, 2 p.m.
Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; crafting: dried glitter flowers, 10 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.
Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; help your neighbor, 10 a.m.; All Souls cemetery visit, 1 p.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.
Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; "You be the Judge," 10 a.m.; board games, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.
Friday: Left-center-right, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Jim on the piano, 2 p.m.
Saturday: Uno, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; read a book.
Northshore Healthcare
Florence, Wis.
715-528-4833
No information was available.
Victorian Pines
Iron Mountain
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, 11:30 a.m.; church service, 1:30 p.m.; tech time; coloring pages; daily chronicles.
Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; resident council, 10 a.m.; "You be the Judge," 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; chili/soup cook-off, you will be judging, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; rummy, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.
Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; hangman, 11 a.m.; Bible stories, 11 a.m.; crafty Wednesday, 2 p.m.; dominoes, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.
Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo/fact of the day, 10:30 a.m.; movie, 1:30 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.
Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; yarn club with Sue, 11 a.m.; aviation trivia, 11:15 a.m.; Jerry Beauchamp, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.
Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; chair exercise, 10 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; activity packets; daily chronicles.
SENIOR CENTERS
Amasa Center
906-822-7284
Menu for the week --
Monday: Roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied carrots.
Tuesday: Wet burrito, Spanish rice.
Wednesday: Baked chicken, roasted potatoes, green beans.
Thursday: Cheeseburger, sweet potato fries, broccoli salad.
Breen Center
Kingsford
906-774-5110
Dine-in eating at noon Monday through Thursday. Carryout meals, soup and salad bar are also available. Menu for the --
Monday: Cabbage rolls, mixed vegetables, biscuit.
Tuesday: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied carrots, pudding.
Wednesday: Wet burrito, refried beans with cheese, Mexican rice.
Thursday: Apple pork chops, mashed potatoes, peas, cake.
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 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: Beef tips over egg noodles, breadstick.
Tuesday: Wet burrito, beans, street rice.
Wednesday: Oven-roasted pork loin, browned potatoes.
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: Biscuits and gravy, oven-roasted potatoes, spiced pears.
Tuesday: Tater tot casserole, carrots, dinner roll, Jell-O with fruit.
Wednesday: Sausage and cabbage, soup, biscuit, banana.
Thursday: Chicken pot pie, mashed potatoes, spiced fruit.
Friday: Italian sub, carrot salad, baked chips, pudding.
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 2:30 p.m., all artists are welcome at any time.; 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: Cabbage roll casserole, dinner roll.
Tuesday: Chicken ranch wrap, chips, soup.
Wednesday: Brats in buns, potato, salad.
Aging and Disability Resource Center
Florence County, Wis.
715-528-4890
Menu for the week --
Monday: Swiss steak, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, fruit.
Tuesday: Taco Tuesday - soft-shell tacos with taco meat, romaine, tomato, onion, black olives, cheese, and sour cream; refried beans; tropical fruit (Note: Florence Center closed for elections).
Wednesday: Chicken and stuffing, stuffed shells, roasted sweet potato, side salad, brownies.
Thursday: Pizza casserole, spinach salad, biscuits, fruit.
Friday: Fish sandwich, potato salad, cucumber and tomato salad, fruit.
All meals are served with whole-grain bread, butter and milk.
Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center
Serving on site Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. RSVP by calling 715-589-4491.
Florence Community Center
Serving on site Monday through Thursday at 11:30 a.m. RSVP by calling 715-528-4261.
Fence Town Hall
Serving on Wednesdays only at noon. RSVP by calling 715-589-4491.
Tipler Town Hall
Serving at noon on the second Thursday of the month only. RSVP by calling 715-674-2320.
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: Country-fried steak and gravy, mashed potatoes and country gravy, Capri vegetables, diced peaches, whole-wheat bread.
Tuesday: Baked turkey crunch, boiled red potatoes, corn, diced peaches, whole-wheat bread.
Wednesday: Meatloaf, root vegetable blend, peas, fruit cocktail, whole-wheat bread.
Thursday: White chicken chili, broccoli cole slaw, whole-wheat bread stick, fruit cup.
Iron River Center
906-265-6134
Lunch served Tuesday and Wednesday at noon, salad bar at 11:30 a.m. Thursday meal at 5 p.m., salad bar at 4:30 p.m. Meals include salad, juice or milk and dessert.
Tuesday: Spaghetti and garlic bread.
Wednesday: Chicken cacciatore.
Thursday: Pork chops, rice pilaf, vegetable, dinner roll.
Niagara Senior Center/Cafe
715-251-1603
Dinner is served at noon Tuesday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation for the meal is $6 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Transportation to the meal site is available.
Bingo on Tuesday and Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday: Seasoned chicken filet, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, Mandarin oranges, wheat dinner roll.
Wednesday: Minestrone soup, egg salad sandwich, Romaine side salad, fresh banana.
Thursday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, spinach salad with tomatoes, garlic bread, pears.
Norway Center
Director: Alicia Rochon
906-563-8716
Dine-in eating begins at 11:30 a.m. Salad bar is 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 pick up the meal. Menu for the week --
Monday: Chili, cornbread, corn.
Tuesday: Italian sausage roll-ups, garlic bread, cauliflower.
Wednesday: Chicken cranberry wraps, chips, cole slaw.
Thursday: Ham, sweet potatoes, green beans.
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.
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 $6 and takeout meal is $7. Reservations are required and should specify if dining in or taking out. Come and enjoy a meal with us -- all are welcome, at any age. Menu for the week --
Tuesday: Breakfast or lunch: eggs, hashbrowns, sausage and bacon.
Wednesday: Tailgate party -- cheeseburgers, hamburgers, potato salad.
Thursday: Chicken stir-fry.