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Seniors

Christmas gift giving traditions around the world

NIAGARA, Wis. — As I write this column today, I am sure it finds most of you in the middle of holiday preparations of one kind or another. Whether they include exterior lights, interior decorating, cleaning, baking, gift purchasing and wrapping, school or church programs, or letters and cards, this time of year is a whirlwind of activity. We are all familiar with the traditions of our region of the world, but what are the gift giving traditions in other parts of the globe? In case you were wondering, a summary of those traditions is what you will read about today. There are a couple ...

Whether good or bad, memories wield great power

NIAGARA, Wis. — As we age, we begin to notice that our memory is not what it once was. We find we lose our train of thought more easily; in the time it takes to walk across the room, we can forget why we entered it in the first place. Were we looking for something? Were we on our way to do something? We rarely leave the house without a list of errands that need to be done or something will surely be forgotten, and we will need to make a second trip. We strive to remember a name or an event. My husband and I find that we speak in half sentences a lot more these days. We both remember ...

Senior News: Finding inner peace and joy all year long

NIAGARA, Wis. — Here we are at the beginning of another holiday season; that time of year when we work like crazy to get to the peace and joy of it all. In my younger years, when I was still working and had kids at home and a husband on the road with his job, I was a frazzled mess by the time the holidays arrived. But I was also a perfectionist back then so much of the jangled nerves was the result of my own need to have everything done … well, perfectly. And, on top of everything going on at home, there was the worry about the weather because we always traveled to extended family. ...

Senior News: Seven lifestyle habits to help you ‘live long and prosper’

NIAGARA, Wis. — Our lifespans have increased. It is no secret that medical advances have kept many of us living far longer than our ancestors. More is now known about the causes of disease so we can better take the steps we need to take to prevent them — or at least prevent their onset for as long as possible. Physically, this is definitely true. But we have more to learn about how to keep our brains functioning well along with our bodies. After all, it is a pretty sad state of affairs when we are physically fit, but our brains have deteriorated. We need both body and brain in good ...

Stockbox Program offered

FLORENCE, Wis. — The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County, along with the Florence County Health Department and University of Wisconsin Extension-Florence, have forged a partnership with the Hunger Task Force’s Senior Stockbox Program. The Senior Stockbox Program provides free healthy food every month to eligible seniors age 60 and older. Examples of Stockbox items include: juice, Wisconsin cheese, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, canned meat, pasta, rice, cereal and more. To be eligible for this program, recipients must be a Wisconsin resident age ...

Senior News: Our search for happiness and noticing the ‘glimmers’ along the way

NIAGARA, Wis. — What makes us happy? What are our goals? What do we do when we fall short of our expectations in life? There are as many answers to these questions as there are people walking this earth. Our situations are different, as are our histories. Our life experiences help to define our goals, and the level of self-confidence we possess determines whether or not we believe we can accomplish them. Some of us are very regimented and systematic in pursuit of personal happiness, while others are more free spirited and simply take life as it comes, finding a bright side in every ...