NIAGARA, Wis. — I have always been a big believer in making resolutions for the coming year. As a first-born perfectionist, this task has always come natural to me. I think that this is a common custom for most of us. As we look ahead to a full year of possibilities and potential, we are motivated to make change. We try to become that better version of ourselves, whether it is to get healthier, stop procrastinating, start meditating or to quit a specific undesirable habit. We believe that this is the year we will finally succeed.

But because we are all imperfect human beings, many of us will see our resolutions slip away like sands through an hourglass. According to a Forbes survey, most resolutions last only two to three months, and after a full year, just 6% of resolution-makers claim to still be sticking to their goals. I found two humorous perspectives I especially liked. Former North Carolina governor and attorney Jim Hunt offers this perspective, “I don’t call them New Year’s resolutions. I prefer the term ‘casual promises to myself that I’m under no legal obligation to fulfill.'” And leave it to Mark Twain to speak plainly, “Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.”

In a recent Monday Morning Memo, Roy H. Williams had a different perspective when he discussed the meaning of what he termed “crystal days.” He explained that the future is unknowable and the past is unrecoverable. If we are anxious, we are living in the future. He advised that we do not live life in an imaginary tomorrow and to find joy while it is still today — good advice for any worry wart. If we are depressed, we are living in the past. We need to let go of our past mistakes and choose to begin again. This is easier said than done, but not impossible.

Williams offered these seven secrets to crystal days:

1. Do not let the perfect become the enemy of the good.

2. Good enough, by definition, is good enough.

3. Learn to celebrate the ordinary.

4. Success and failure are temporary conditions. Do not let either of them define you.

5. The most precious thing you can find is a friend.

6. Hatred is the only luxury more costly than an enemy.

7. All the little things in life add up to your life.

This past Sunday on “CBS Sunday Morning,” the editorial was given by Faith Salie. She addressed the topic of New Year’s resolutions and simply stated that she did not make formal resolutions but made general wishes, or promises, to herself. This year she noticed how quickly her children were growing, so she found herself wishing for more time. But how does a person go about making more time in life or at least slowing the pace a bit?

She turned to the dictionary, a book which always comforts her because it provides definite answers. Upon looking up the word “resolution,” she learned that it derived from the Latin root “resolvere” a word that means to loosen, undo or release. She was surprised because this Latin root word sounds so gentle compared to the stronger, almost harsh “resolution.” Soon after her trip to the dictionary, her aunt died. Faith wanted only one item that had belonged to her: a simple, yet powerful, prayer card she had received from her knitting circle. It was the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady Undoer of Knots. Inside, the prayer asked for help with “release from the entanglements of our lives.”

In order for our lives to untangle, we need to have faith in the unfurling ribbon of our lives. Events happen to all of us throughout life that we do not understand at the time; despite all of our best efforts to control its direction, our life has spun out of our control and has caused us great concern and worry. It is very difficult in the moment to realize that everything does happen for a reason and while we do not understand it now, things will be made clear to us as time goes on.

We also need to allow our most intractable positions to stretch and to be willing to see things differently … which may allow us to see things we have never seen before. As we loosen our grip on the past and our fearful white knuckles about the future, we learn to become present and appreciate the moments in which we are currently living. This just may be enough to help time slow down just a little in the coming year.

Finally, it is necessary to remember that our trip through this life is not a solo journey for we need other people. In our modern world, it has become far too easy to isolate ourselves in the confines of our own little world. We can work remotely and even order groceries to be delivered to our home. It is important to remember that we humans are wired for connection with a deep need for community. As John Donne so famously wrote, “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main.” The following quotations emphasize this message.

— “No one can whistle a symphony; it takes a whole orchestra to play it.” — Halford E. Luccock

— “To get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.” — Mark Twain

— “Cooperation is… a thorough conviction that nobody can get there unless everybody gets there.” — Virginia Burden Tower

— “Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable.” — Kenyan proverb

— “There are no problems which we cannot solve together, and there are very few which any of us can settle by himself.” — Lyndon B. Johnson

— “Each one of us can make a difference. Together we can make change.” — Barbara Mikulski

— “We must all learn to live together as brothers — or we will all perish together as fools. This is the great issue facing us today. No individual can live alone; no nation can live alone. We are tied together…” — Martin Luther King Jr.

— “Individually we are one drop, together we are an ocean.” — Ryunosuke Satoro

Last week I wrote about the word chosen by Meriam-Webster as 2024’s word of the year. It happened to be “polarization.” Sadly, it seems that the only thing we can agree upon is that we cannot agree on much. This week, I hope this column gives a ray of hope in the form of a suggestion for what we can do to right our collective ship and get it pointing in a good direction again. It’s only by remaining united, in the face of obstacles that seek to divide us, that we can continue to strive toward a brighter future.

I close with these wise words from Franklin D. Roosevelt: “If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships — the ability of all peoples of all kinds, to live together and work together, in the same world, at peace.”

May 2025 be the year we come back together to work again as one people for the betterment of all of and our great nation.

——

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.

On the third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. they host a Memory Cafe – a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program is run by donations.

Sunday: Church on TV, 10 a.m.; ice cream served in rooms with staff, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; small group in activities room, 11:30 a.m.; dice club, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Nail day, 10 a.m.; brown bag bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: “Price Is Right” on CBS, 10 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Early bird bingo, 10 a.m.; bunny visits, 11 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Baking group, 10 a.m.; small group in activities room, 11:30 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Word search, 10 a.m.; family time, 2 p.m.; “Weakest Link” on PBS, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; Scattegories, 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, 2:30 p.m.; storytelling, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9:30 a.m.; book club, 10 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; Pictionary, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/“Animal Kingdom,” 9:30 a.m.; parachute, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; Christ United, 2 p.m.; current events, 2:30 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.; happy hour with Gayle, 2 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; casino trip, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; faces and places, 2 p.m.; classic movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: “Price Is Right”/name that word, 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: Devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; movie, 1 p.m.

Monday: Resident council meeting, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Wii bowling, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Manicures, 9 a.m.; Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Bob Larson, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Golden K bingo, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; birthday party, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; crafts or games, 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: Scrabble, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 1:30 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

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

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; buzz words, 10 a.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.; baking cookies, 10:15 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; mugs and muffins, 10 a.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: Hedbanz, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Uno, 10 a.m.; prize bingo, 2 p.m., call a friend.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

Sunday: Independent activities.

Monday: Coffee social, 10 a.m.; bean bag toss, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Music and memories, 10 a.m.; manicure, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Exercise/chair dance, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Pastor Jason/Bible study, 10 a.m.; card games, 2 p.m.

Friday: Catholic communion, 10 a.m.; coloring pages, 10:30 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

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bean bag toss, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; church services, 1:30 p.m.; residents’ choice, 2:30 p.m.; snack cart, coloring pages, daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; Cranium Crunch, 11 a.m.; manicure Monday, 1:45 a.m.; men’s group/book club, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; who-what-where/bingo, 1:45 p.m.; can you picture this? 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; hangman, 11 a.m.; crafty; stress balls, 1:45 p.m.; Kings in the Corner, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo, 10 a.m.; trivia/Bunco, 1:30 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; trivia/Jon Sampson, 2 p.m.; book club, 4:15 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; exercise group, 10 a.m.; juice hour, 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: Pulled pork sandwich, potato wedges, baked beans.

Wednesday: Chili, vegetable, hard roll, fruited Jell-O.

Thursday: Cheesy potato breakfast casserole, sausage, yogurt parfait.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Dine-in eating Monday through Thursday — 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: White chili with beans, vegetable, hard roll, dessert.

Tuesday: Apple pork chops, mashed potatoes, biscuit.

Wednesday: Oven baked porcupine meatballs, mashed potatoes, vegetable, biscuit.

Thursday: Chicken and dumplings, vegetable, fruit.

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 place an order. All food 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 through Wednesday: No information available.

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

Monday: Biscuits and sausage gravy, oven-roasted potatoes, applesauce.

Tuesday: Chicken Florentine casserole, buttered pasta, baby carrots.

Wednesday: Shipwreck stew, garlic and cheese biscuit, apple crisp.

Thursday: Philly cheese sandwich with ground beef, baked fries, vegetable.

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: Biscuits and sausage gravy, oven-roasted potatoes, applesauce.

Tuesday: Chicken Florentine casserole, buttered pasta, baby carrots.

Wednesday: Shipwreck stew, garlic and cheese biscuit, apple crisp.

Thursday: Philly cheese sandwich with ground beef, baked fries, vegetable.

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

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:

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: Biscuit and sausage gravy, oven-roasted potatoes, applesauce.

Tuesday: White chili with beans, hard roll, vegetable, dessert.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied carrots.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Biscuits and sausage gravy, oven-roasted potatoes, applesauce.

Tuesday: Chicken Florentine casserole, buttered pasta, baby carrots.

Wednesday: Shipwreck stew, garlic and cheese biscuit, apple crisp.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Menu for the week —

Monday: Cabbage roll casserole, mashed potatoes, broccoli Normandy, fruit.

Tuesday: Brat on a bun, potato salad, baked beans, fruited Jell-O.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, baked sweet potato, bean medley, fruit, brownies.

Thursday: Ravioli with meat sauce, cranberry spinach salad, garlic bread, fruit pie and ice cream.

Friday: Philly cheesesteak casserole, peas, fruit.

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

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

715-589-4491

Home-delivered meals will be served Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. There will be no meals delivered on Monday or Wednesday.

The dining center is only open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Space is limited — call the day before to make a reservation.

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

This site is closed until further notice.

Home-delivered meals will be delivered Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. No Wednesday meal is available.

Tipler Town Hall

RSVP for meals at 715-674-2320

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

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: Brat, hot dog bun, carrots, oven potatoes, diced pears.

Tuesday: Pizza casserole, Brussel sprouts, peas, applesauce, whole wheat bread.

Wednesday: Barbecue ham balls over rice, corn, Capri vegetable blend, Mandarin oranges, whole wheat bread .

Thursday: Beef pasty, broccoli, cauliflower, peaches.

Friday: Beefsteak with onions, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables, mixed fruit, whole wheat bread.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Salad bar begins at 11 a.m.; meal is served at 11:30 a.m. No night meals. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Oven-fried fish and chips, baked beans, vegetables, tartar sauce.

Tuesday: Lemon chicken and rice, vegetables, applesauce.

Wednesday: Shipwreck stew, garlic and cheese biscuit, apple crisp.

Thursday: Tater tot casserole, candied carrots, Jell-O with fruit, croissant.

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

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: Bacon-wrapped pork fillet, parsley-buttered potatoes, green beans, wheat bread, apple torte.

Wednesday: Salisbury steak with mushrooms and gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, carrots, wheat bread, peaches.

Thursday: Lasagna, vegetable blend, spinach salad with tomatoes, garlic bread.

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

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:15 a.m. Salad bar is available from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Takeout meals are 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: Hearty beef stew, whole wheat dinner roll with butter, side salad with dressing of choice, seasonal fruit, homemade cookies.

Tuesday: Chicken cordon bleu, baked potato, vegetable, side salad with choice of dressing, seasonal fruit.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, carrots, side salad with choice of dressing, seasonal fruit.

Thursday: Scalloped potatoes and ham, carrots, side salad with choice of dressings, seasonal fruit, fruited Jell-O.

Birthdays and bingo on second 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.

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.

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: Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes, carrots, dinner roll, pudding.

Wednesday: French bread pizza, Italian vegetables, fruit.

Thursday: Chili, hard roll, vegetable, berry and granola yogurt parfait.

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

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Biscuits and sausage gravy, oven-roasted potatoes, applesauce.

Tuesday: Chicken Florentine casserole, buttered pasta, baby carrots.

Wednesday: Shipwreck stew, garlic and cheese biscuit, apple crisp.