NIAGARA, Wis. — Let me begin by saying that I am not a pet person, and I especially dislike dogs. They are so needy, and they sniff you all over … all while jumping on you and nearly knocking you down. So, I was very surprised to have enjoyed the most recent movie my husband and I saw at our local theater on our Monday movie date. Titled “Arthur The King,” it was the biggest feel-good movie I have seen in a long time. Not only is it guaranteed to make us all into dog lovers, but we are also reminded of an important life lesson.

First, a little background. The movie is based upon a true event and is centered around a grueling endurance competition known as the Adventure Racing World Championship, where teams of four compete in some of the most rugged terrain in the world. The first event of this kind was held in 2001 in Switzerland. Since then, it has grown to be the most prestigious and globally recognized adventure racing event in the world and has taken place on five continents. Racers travel from around the world to compete first in a series of qualifier races. They next compete in regional races around the globe to win a guaranteed and free place on the start line of the final race.

Mark Wahlberg plays Michael Light (a portrayal of the real-life Mikael Lindnord), a professional adventure racer who is looking for a chance to redeem himself after an embarrassing defeat that had happened two years earlier. For him, it is all about the personal challenge and the all-consuming need to overcome his past failure. He first convinces his wife that he has to try one last time and then sets out to build a team and to find a sponsor to augment the $20,000 of his personal funds needed to cover the race expenses.

His team is comprised of a former racer with a bum knee, a young woman mountain climber whose father is dying and a young hotshot racer who has become famous thanks to selfies on the internet and product sponsorships. The race they enter is being held in the Dominican Republic. They will race for 10 days and cover 435 miles through some of the most challenging terrain in the world. Covered in jungle, it is hot, mountainous and dangerous.

Eventually, we meet Arthur. He is a mangy street dog without a home and a safe food supply. Life on the streets in this impoverished country is definitely a dog-eat-dog world — dangerous, unhealthy and unpredictable. Arthur has managed to survive by finding food in trash cans and by simply being too scrappy to give up.

Arthur shows up at one of the rest sites along the race trail, and Wahlberg gives him a meatball from his limited food supply. From that point forward, a bond is formed. Arthur shows up at every rest site along the way no matter how remote. He eventually becomes a member of the racing team and finishes the race with them.

The true test of any good story is one in which the main character learns a lesson about life and is forever changed as a result. And it is a lesson that is shared with the viewer, or reader in the case of a book. Consequently, we learn the lesson as well.

In the case of Mark Wahlberg’s character, we see him initially as a man consumed by personal struggle. He had turned inward with feelings of failure and inadequacy. He loves his wife and family but had no self-worth because he was not looking for it in the right place. He allowed his defeat in a race that happened in the past to define him.

That all began to change when he entered the race in the Dominican Republic with people who also had their own personal challenges. Incidents along the trail required him to step outside himself and to help a member of the team overcome a challenge. The team member with the bum knee was the navigator. He had mapped out their trip taking several short cuts — dangerous zigs and zags designed to take miles, and precious minutes, off the trek. This added more obstacles and increased the danger of an already perilous journey. At one point along the route, one of the shortcuts required them to take a zip line over a very deep, wide canyon. The route had been closed due to the danger and the age of the zip line itself. Any error in judgment resulting in a fall or broken line would plunge them to their death. The female team member gets stuck in the middle of the zip line after the other two men had safely crossed. Wahlberg’s character successfully rescues her putting himself in danger as well.

As the time and distance wear on, Wahlberg insists on carrying the backpack for the team member with the bum knee — he was struggling with the pain that was getting in the way of his endurance — which certainly made his own journey more difficult. And, as they made it to a rest stop, they learned that their dangerous short cuts had put them into first place; they had made up a tremendous amount of time. At this point, the hot shot trekker and social media celebrity develops near heat stroke. Wahlberg makes the decision that they will take a longer break so he can get the medical attention he needs. Consequently, the team is penalized four hours off their time. Wahlberg risks the win for the health of his teammate.

The final test of selflessness comes at the start of the last leg of the race. They have to kayak across treacherous waters with dangerous tides and currents for miles … and the race officials do not allow Arthur to come along for the ride. But Arthur has other plans. As he jumps in the water and tries to dog paddle to catch up with the departing kayak, Wahlberg turns around and hauls the dog on board just as he was close to drowning. They finish the race in solid second place. But they finish it together — as a team that now includes an amazing dog.

The story does not end here — not quite. As Arthur runs across the finish line, he collapses. Local veterinarians inform Wahlberg that the dog is filled with an infestation of intestinal worms that are literally eating him from the inside out. Life on the streets eating garbage has taken its toll. Wahlberg and Arthur refuse to give up. Arthur is taken on the plane back to the States and rushed to the vet for emergency surgery.

The ending is a real tear jerker. We see Wahlberg back at his home, running the mountain trails. As the camera pans back, we see a now healthy Arthur join him as the music swells. Then we see real family photos of Michael Lindnord with his wife, two children and the real Arthur living a happy life.

And we learn that Lindnord and his wife went on to form the Arthur Foundation. After years of work, laws have been passed that will apply standards of animal welfare to animals used for the purpose of consumption, companionship, labor, trade, experimentation and entertainment. This legislation seeks to minimize animal suffering through the elimination of violence and promotion of empathy towards animals. The legislation also works toward humanely controlling animal populations by promoting adoption, sterilization and responsible coexistence.

So, we learn through this movie and through the eyes of a dog, that life is only worth living when it is lived for others. When we turn our vision away from our own struggles and troubles and realize that life does not revolve around us and our perceived failures, we realize that there are those in the world with far greater challenges. And if we look hard enough, we can find a way to help.

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NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

We welcome anyone who would like to entertain the residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

Sunday: Church on TV/resident self-activities, 10 a.m.

Monday: Morning perks, 10 a.m.; art, 10:30 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; dice club, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Morning perks, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; music on YouTube, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Morning perks, 10 a.m.; shut the box, 10:30 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; movie time, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Nail love, 10 a.m.; music on You Tube, 11:45 a.m.; pool noodle hockey, 2 p.m.

Friday: Morning perks, 10 a.m.; book club, 10:30 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Resident choice, color a nice picture, 1 p.m.; CNBC “Undercover Boss,” 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

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

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; “Name That Tune,” 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; afternoon matinee with popcorn, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Tie dye crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; sunshine club, 2:30 p.m.; Riddler, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Rhinelander Goodwill, 9 a.m.; coffee social/book club, 9:30 a.m.; resident council, 10:30 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; scavenger hunt, 2 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Community breakfast, 8:30 a.m.; “Animal Kingdom,” 10 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; Christ United, 2 p.m.; current events, 2:15 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.; happy hour, 2 p.m.

Friday: Memory books, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; tie dye party with music and fun, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: “Price Is Right”/name that word, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: File and style, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; coffee cake, 1 p.m.

Monday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; eclipse, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; eclipse bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; Resident Council, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Scattegories, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; chair yoga, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; religious crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; who’s that? 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Friday: Chips and chatter, 9 a.m.; reminiscing, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; animal crossing, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Men’s social, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; po-ke-no, 1 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 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

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

Tuesday: Rosary / communion service, 9 a.m.; baking — peanut butter blossoms, 10 a.m.; resident council, 1 p.m.; music with Bob Larson, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 a.m.; apples to apples, 10 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; evening prayers, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; penny ante, 10 a.m.; “Family Feud,” 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; C & R happy hour with Jim on the piano, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Scrabble, 10 a.m.; prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

Sunday: Independent activities

Monday: Word search, 10 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Resident Council, 10 a.m.; manicure, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Chair yoga, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Bible study with Pastor Jason, 10 a.m.; knitting/crochet club, 2 p.m.

Friday: Catholic communion, 10 a.m.; movie, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Independent activities

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; bingo, 10 a.m.; trivia and coffee, 11:30 a.m.; church services, 1:30 p.m.; coloring pages; daily chronicles

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; pondering prompts while wetting your whistle, 11 a.m.; bowling, 1:30 p.m.; king’s corner, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; who, what or where and refreshments, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; cranium crunch, 4 p.m.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; trivia and coffee, 11 a.m.; crafty Wednesday, Scotty dog, 2 p.m.; bunco, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; pictionary, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; bologna, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; lunch outing, 10:45 a.m.; travel brief — Scotland, 11 a.m.; paint and sip, 2 p.m.; short stories, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; kick ball, 10:15 a.m.; drinks and trivia, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; daily chronicles; activity packets

SENIOR CENTERS

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

The center at 415 Main St. is open four days a week, serving soup and sandwich meal from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays, fish fries from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays, pizzas from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturdays and dinner from 2 to 3 p.m. Sundays.

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Scalloped potatoes with ham, Brussel sprouts, dinner roll

Wednesday: Chicken vegetable soup, bread and butter, Jell-O with fruit, side salad

Thursday: Philly cheese sandwich, baked fries, coleslaw

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Open for dine-in eating Monday through Thursday, serving at noon. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Liver and onions, roasted garlic potatoes, asparagus

Tuesday: Oven fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, Brussel sprouts

Wednesday: Tilapia with summer vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll

Thursday: Baked pork chops, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, applesauce

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk or juice and fruit

Crystal Falls Center

Head cook: Elizabeth Peryam

Assistant cooks: Debbie Bigalski and Shannon Stapleton

906-875-6709

The center is now open on Mondays and is serving 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: Spaghetti casserole, garlic bread

Tuesday: Pasties

Wednesday: Beef tips over egg noodles

Home-delivered meals (prepared by DICSA – independent from above menu) —

Monday: Sloppy Joes with bun, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries

Tuesday: Honey garlic chicken with vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll

Wednesday: Chili dog, baked fries, macaroni and cheese

Thursday: Asparagus and ham stuffed potatoes, beets, peaches

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: Sloppy Joes with bun, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries

Tuesday: Honey garlic chicken with vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll

Wednesday: Chili dog, baked fries, macaroni and cheese

Thursday: Asparagus and ham stuffed potatoes, beets, peaches

Friday: Creamy cucumber soup, spinach side salad, Jell-O with fruit

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

For more information, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256

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 p.m. 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

Open for dine-in eating — call for serving times. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Pancakes, oven-browned potatoes, pears, yogurt

Tuesday: Cheese ravioli with meat sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic bread

Wednesday: Cheeseburger, baked fries, baked beans

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Sloppy Joes with bun, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries

Tuesday: Honey garlic chicken with vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll

Wednesday: Chili dog, baked fries, macaroni and cheese

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Menu for the week —

Monday: Split pea soup, ham sandwich, lettuce and tomato, fruit

Tuesday: Chicken Caesar salad (with chicken, romaine, tomato, croutons, parmesan, and Caesar dressing), whole wheat dinner roll, fruit

Wednesday: Liver and onions or chicken breast, mashed potatoes, squash, fruit, cookies

Thursday: Baked ham, company potatoes, green beans, dinner rolls, apple pie with ice cream

Friday: Brat on a bun, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, beet salad, fruit salad

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

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

RSVP for meal at 855-528-2372

Same as ADRC menu, served at noon on Wednesday only.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

RSVP for meal at 715-528-4261

Open Monday through Thursday serving at 11:30 a.m.

Reservations for a meal onsite need to be made 48 hours in advance by calling the above number.

Tipler Town Hall

RSVP for meals at 715-674-2320

Same as ADRC menu, served at noon on second Thursday only.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

RSVP for meal at 715-528-4261

Same as ADRC menu. Now open, served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Tipler Town Hall

RSVP for meals at 715-674-2320

Same as ADRC menu, served at noon on second Thursday only.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

RSVP for meals at 715-589-4491

Same as ADRC menu, served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

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 for those who are homebound is available.

Monday: Pizza burger, hamburger bun, oven potatoes, corn, fruit cup

Tuesday: Beef noodle casserole, vegetable, warm peaches

Wednesday: Sweet and sour chicken, brown rice, Oriental vegetables, wax beans, fruited pudding

Thursday: Tomato basil soup, ham and Swiss sandwich, whole wheat sandwich bread, three bean salad, fruit cup

Friday: Hobo dinner, green beans, whole wheat bread, fruit crisp

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Dine-in meal served at 11 a.m. Salad bar is available. No night meals at this time. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken Caesar salad, hard-boiled egg, whole wheat dinner roll, banana

Tuesday: Pulled pork sandwich, potato wedges, coleslaw

Wednesday: Chili, cornbread, side salad

Thursday: Garlic parmesan fish, mashed potatoes, steamed carrots

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

Dinner is served at noon Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Bingo played on most Wednesdays. Transportation is available.

Tuesday: Meatballs, mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli, apple sauce, whole wheat bread

Wednesday: Shrimp alfredo linguine, asparagus, black beans with corn, whole wheat roll, spiced fruit bake

Thursday: Cheesy chicken and rice casserole, carrots, sweet potato tots, fresh grapes

The center will have bingo on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this month.

Norway Center

Director: Joyce Olesky

Head cook: Brian Gutkowski

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:15 a.m. Salad bar available from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Takeout meals available for pick-up from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Let staff know if planning to dine in or pick up.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken cordon bleu, baked potato, vegetable

Tuesday: Cod, scalloped potatoes, vegetables

Wednesday: Spaghetti or polenta, garlic bread, vegetables

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables

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 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.

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Pea soup, ham slider, pudding cup

Wednesday: Pasty, coleslaw, corn

Thursday: Chop suey with vegetables, egg roll, fortune cookie

All meals served with an option of milk, juice or no beverage.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Sloppy Joes with bun, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries.

Tuesday: Honey garlic chicken with vegetables, whole wheat dinner roll.

Wednesday: Chili dog, baked fries, macaroni and cheese.