NIAGARA, Wis. — I am sure you have noticed, as I have, just how fast time seems to go by as we get older. I am always amazed when I turn the calendar page on another month and frequently ask my husband, “Where did this month go?” Now, when we find ourselves in the dead of winter, I don’t mind the time flying by. But I sure would appreciate spending a little longer in June, July and August.

In high school, I always enjoyed that last day of school, and the thought of three months away from the classroom and homework seemed a wonderful thing. Two good friends and I used to hike the 9 miles between Ripon and Pickett, Wis., after we picked up our report cards. We always had a sack lunch to eat as we walked that sunbaked highway.

In grade school, I would fly home on my bike enjoying the sing of its balloon tires on the pavement and looking forward to leisurely days spent in the backyard apple tree — reading my book as the bees hummed around my head. We also spent a lot of time on our grandparents’ farm and weekends at “the shack” — my aunt and uncle’s hunting cabin. On the farm, we ran through the rows of corn, jumped from bog to bog in the marshy pasture, rode the tractor with our grandfather, caught toads and climbed in the hay loft. At the cabin, we caught northern from the shore; my first fish jumped off the hook onto the beach and just about got away from me, but my mother ran down and caught it just before it jumped back in that lake. It was over the summers that our grandmother dressed up like a witch — taking her teeth out and donning her shawl, putting a scarf over her head, and walking with her cane. As she walked toward us, we would scream and run all around the lilac bushes.

But, come August every year I’d had enough of summer. I grew anxious to get back to school. In grade school, I used to walk into town and wander up and down the dime store aisles looking at all the school supplies — planning which pencil box I would get and which colored pencils I would put into it. In high school, I actually missed homework, and in college I missed having papers to write! I know … I was rather a seriously bookish kid.

As it turns out, I was surprised to learn there is are scientific explanations for this phenomenon. It is not just our imaginations. I found an article written by Jillian Wilson for HuffPost that lays it out for us. Experts say our perception of time greatly changes as we age, which makes certain periods feel like they go by quickly. Cindy Lustig, a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, explained that our perception of days, weeks, and even years seems to be especially influenced by our perspective. Are we experiencing it in the moment, or are we looking back on our memories? She added that our perception of time is also influenced by memory and how much we’ve experienced. As an example, for an 8-year-old, a week is a big portion of their life, while for an 80-year-old, a week is a much smaller portion, which contributes to the feeling that it went by quickly.

Lustig further explains the effect of reminiscing on each age group. A day in the life of a retired 80-year-old may feel like its going more slowly than that of a busy 8-year-old at school. However, when both look back on a month or a year, that larger expanse of time will feel as though it went by much faster for the older person. The main reason for this is that as we age — especially after retirement — many of our days are the same. We get into routines that simply do not change that much, and our brains begin to lump time together because the days are similar. So, for that 80-year-old who largely does the same thing every day, the year is going to blend together in their mind and feel like it went by quickly.

Adrian Bejan, a professor of mechanical engineering at Duke University, explains that our brains are designed to record change. Consequently, the many experiences young children have in a day — such as learning new things at school, going to ballet class, or visiting a new friend’s house — contribute to the notion that time is more plentiful and more activities can fit into that time. Therefore, when looking back, time may feel slower. As adults, when we look back on a time period that was filled with lots of new experiences, we see a large expanse of events and memories which makes it seem as though time stretches out … consequently, time feels very long.

How we process what we see can also influence how we view time. Bejan explained that our brains are trained to receive many more images when we are infants. Because we are absorbing so many more images as kids, it may feel like months and years are longer. As adults, the brain receives many fewer images. Therefore, we feel like it went by more quickly. So, there are actual physiological factors at play that influence our perception of time — specifically, the older we get, the faster it feels.

The takeaway from this explanation is that if we are not introducing new patterns into our lives, time can feel like it’s going by much quicker overall. So, the solution is the flip side of that coin: we must experience things that are new and out of our usual routine. This could mean picking up a hobby we used to enjoy when we were younger, taking a trip to a place we have never visited, or signing up for a class in a topic abut which we know nothing. The old adage “variety is the spice of life” carries a big grain of truth. Getting out of our routines and taking advantage of the time we have remaining will help make us feel like our year has more time to fill. On the other hand, living a routine-only life makes the year fly by really fast.

There is also another phenomenon at work. When we were younger, we were accustomed to multi-tasking in order to keep up with our full schedules. Consequently, time flew by. Now that we have more time to fill, we can afford to live in the moment, doing one thing at a time and living the experience fully. If you are baking bread, notice the feeling of the dough as you knead it, and enjoy the smell of it baking in the oven. If you have decided to have a happy hour, turn your phone off and allow no disruptions during that special time. Practicing this kind of mindfulness will help to slow down the feeling of time racing by and will allow us to better enjoy the time we have left on this earth.

So, if you have been feeling as though the little time you have left is speeding by way too quickly, make a few changes. First, understand that you can control the feeling. Then, begin to add some variety into your days by including a couple of new activities. And, finally, do those chores one at a time; there is no longer a need to multi-task. Before long, you will be feeling like a kid again. You may not be wishing that school would start, but time will slow down long enough for you to better enjoy it.

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NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

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

Sunday: Strong Tower Church, 1 p.m.

Monday: Rosary, 10 a.m.; nail shine, 11 a.m.; card club, 1:30 p.m.; reminisce, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Pastor Sam, 10:45 a.m.; name that show, 11 a.m.; memory cafe, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Fit for fun, 10 a.m.; men’s club, 11 a.m.; art fun, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Pool noodle ball, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; happy hour, listen to music, visit and play games, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Breakfast fun, 7:45 a.m.; room visits, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Resident choice, have fun with the weekend packet.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; hangman, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; afternoon matinee with popcorn, 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, 2:30 p.m.; bonfire, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; book club, 10 a.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; Dan’s songs for seniors, 2 p.m.; classic movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/garden club, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; strawberry social with Jan and Gino, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 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 Church, 2 p.m.; happy hour with music, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; Buck Lake, 10 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; garden club, 2 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: “Price Is Right”/Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 11 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; classic movie, 6 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

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

Monday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; exercise, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Bob Larson, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; stretch it out, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; spiral sun catchers, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; chair yoga, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; summer facts, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; fun in the sun, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Chips and chatter, 9 a.m.; reminiscing, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; “Jeopardy,” 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: Coffee and chit chat, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish – moo manicures, 10 a.m.; courtyard cabana, milkshake madness, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; Carmelite Monastery, 7 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; yoga session, 10 a.m.; Resident Council, 1 p.m.; courtyard campfire hot dogs, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; baking cupcakes, 10 a.m.; ice cream outing, 1 p.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Birthday social, 10:15 a.m.; creative art, 2 p.m.

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

Saturday: Uno, 10 a.m.; courtyard cabana ice cream soda — mint chocolate chip and Sprite, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

Sunday: Independent activities.

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

Tuesday: Coffee social, 10 a.m.; manicures, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Beach ball kick, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Pastor Jason, 10 a.m.; bean bag toss, 2 p.m.

Friday: Catholic communion, 10 a.m.; Pastor Cathy, 10 a.m.; movies, 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

906-97-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bunco, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; church services, 1:30 p.m.; root beer floats, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; hangman, 11 a.m.; manicures, 1:45 p.m.; book club on the patio, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; uplifting S.G. with Coria, 10:45 a.m.; picture this, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; off to the races, 3:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; pondering prompts, 11 a.m.; crafty Wednesday, 1:45 p.m.; kings-n-corner, 4 p.m.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; food talk with Scott followed by resident council with Coria, 10:30 a.m.; summer days, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; Kerplunk, 4 p.m.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; who-what-where, 11 a.m.; music with activities on the patio, 2 p.m.; book club on the patio, 4 p.m.; bunco, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; balloon toss, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; activity packets.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic bread, dirt cup pudding.

Wednesday: Chili dog with cheese, baked fries, macaroni and cheese, Jell-O.

Thursday: Tater tot casserole, candied carrots, biscuit.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

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

Monday: Spaghetti with meatballs, green beans, garlic toast.

Tuesday: Shredded barbecue chicken on a bun, sweet potato with butter, peas, Jell-O with fruit.

Wednesday: Chili, cornbread, side salad.

Thursday: Beef cube steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, biscuit.

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

Crystal Falls Center

Head cook: Elizabeth Peryam

Assistant cooks: Debbie Bigalke and Shannon Stapleton

906-875-6709

The center is serving meals for dine-in or takeout – call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or to place your 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: Chili mac and cornbread.

Tuesday: Beef chop suey over rice with chow mein noodles.

Wednesday: Scalloped potatoes and ham.

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

Monday: Swedish meatballs, buttered noodles, mixed vegetables, dinner roll.

Tuesday: Shredded barbecue chicken on a hoagie, sweet potato with butter, steamed carrots, dessert.

Wednesday: Hearty beef stew, pickled beets, whole wheat dinner roll.

Thursday: Liver and onions, roasted garlic potatoes, wax beans.

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: Swedish meatballs, buttered noodles, mixed vegetables, dinner roll.

Tuesday: Shredded barbecue chicken on a hoagie, sweet potato with butter, steamed carrots, dessert.

Wednesday: Hearty beef stew, pickled beets, whole wheat dinner roll.

Thursday: Liver and onions, roasted garlic potatoes, wax beans .

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 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 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: Liver and onions, roasted garlic potatoes, asparagus.

Tuesday: Sack lunch — turkey and cheese wrap, spinach and lettuce salad, yogurt parfait, string cheese.

Wednesday: Evening meal — meat loaf, mashed potatoes, broccoli bake, strawberry dessert.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Swedish meatballs, buttered noodles, mixed vegetables, dinner roll.

Tuesday: Shredded barbecue chicken on a hoagie, sweet potato with butter, steamed carrots, dessert.

Wednesday: Hearty beef stew, pickled beets, whole wheat dinner roll.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Menu for the week —

Monday: Cook’s choice – entree, vegetables, fruit.

Tuesday: Egg roll casserole, rice, copper pennies, fruit salad.

Wednesday: Ravioli with meat sauce, bean salad, fruit, brownies.

Thursday: Pork steak with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, fruit.

Friday: Fajitas (tortillas, sweet peppers, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream), refried beans, 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 on site 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.

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: Cheese stuffed shells with red sauce, Brussel sprouts, carrots, fruit cocktail.

Tuesday: Shepherd’s pie, squash, fresh fruit, whole wheat bread.

Wednesday: Sweet and sour chicken, rice, Oriental vegetables, wax beans, tropical fruit.

Thursday: Cream of broccoli soup, meat spread on lettuce leaf, sandwich bread, cucumber salad, Mandarin oranges.

Friday: Porcupine meatballs, mashed potatoes with gravy, cook’s choice vegetable, pears, whole wheat bread.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Salad bar begins at 11 a.m.; meal is served at 11:30 a.m. All meals are served with choice of skim milk or juice and fruit. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Asparagus and ham stuffed potato, peaches, biscuit.

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

Thursday: Swedish meatballs, buttered noodles, mixed vegetables, dinner roll, dessert.

Home-delivered meals –

Monday: Chili, cornbread, side salad.

Tuesday: Asparagus and ham stuffed potatoes, peaches, biscuit.

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

Thursday: Swedish meatballs, buttered noodles, mixed vegetables, dinner roll, dessert.

Niagara Senior Center/Café

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: Egg salad sandwich on a croissant, cucumber and diced tomato salad, peaches, chocolate pudding cake.

Wednesday: Beef tips with gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots, fresh fruit salad, wheat bread.

Thursday: Barbecue pork rib sandwich, baked beans, potato salad, cherry dessert.

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: Cheese ravioli, garlic bread, vegetables.

Tuesday: Chef salad with vegetables, meat and eggs, breadstick.

Wednesday: Two meal day — 11 a.m., Sloppy Joes, tater barrels, vegetable; 4 p.m., barbecue ribs, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetable.

Thursday: Breakfast bake with sausage and hashbrowns.

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

Birthdays and bingo on Thursday.

Board meeting on Thursday.

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: Sloppy Joe with a bun, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries.

Wednesday: Pasty, coleslaw, buttered corn, apple crisp.

Thursday: Beef chop suey with vegetables, egg roll, fortune cookie, strawberry shortcake.

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

Home-delivered meals –

Monday: Swedish meatballs, buttered noodles, mixed vegetables, dinner roll.

Tuesday: Boiled dinner, biscuit, applesauce.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, candied carrots.